The Jacksonville Jaguars open the 2026 season at home against the Cleveland Browns in a matchup featuring two franchises entering the year with vastly different expectations. Jacksonville is coming off a breakout 13-4 campaign and AFC South title, while Cleveland is looking to bounce back from a disappointing 5-12 season under a new coaching staff.
The Jaguars emerged as one of the AFC’s best teams last season. In his first season as an NFL head coach, Liam Coen, guided the Jags to the AFC South crown and a postseason berth, elevating the play of Trevor Lawrence in the process. The Browns endured a difficult 2025 season primarily due to an ineffective offense which averaged just 16.4 points per game. Cleveland’s defense kept them in many a game but could not prevent another last place finish.
A key to turning around their fortunes lies in Cleveland getting improved play under center. Deshaun Watson is healthy for the first time in a year and a half and will get the first crack at moving the offense. We saw him last in 2024 and his QBR was a whole 21.0 so it would surprise no one to see Shedeur Sanders and potentially even rookie Taylen Green at some point this season. Trevor Lawrence will look to build on what was an efficient and obviously effective season in 2025. He had thrown for more yards and completed a higher percentage of passes in previous seasons, but he threw for more touchdowns and from all accounts was simply more in command on the field. The Jags will need him to take another step this season if they are to defend the AFC South and truly contend in the playoffs.
The major storyline is without question the return of Watson but keep an eye on a few other players as their play will have a definite effect on the outcome of the game as well as the season for their respective team. Travis Hunter is healthy. Can he take a step and become the lockdown corner the Jags need? And does he play a significant role on the offense? Jerry Jeudy offers the Browns a true No. 1 receiver. Can they get him the ball? Jakobi Meyers will be with the Jags for a full season. The veteran moves the chains. The Browns pass rush minus Myles Garrett. How does Cleveland’s Front 7 fare without the first ballot Hall of Famer?
Let’s dive into the numbers and see if we can’t find a sweat or two.
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Game details and how to watch Browns vs. Jaguars
- Date: Sunday, September 13, 2026
- Time: 1PM ET
- Site: EverBank Stadium
- City: Jacksonville, FL
- TV/Streaming: CBS
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Latest Game Odds for Browns vs. Jaguars
The latest odds as of Thursday courtesy of DraftKings:
- Moneyline: Cleveland Browns (+350), Jacksonville Jaguars (-455)
- Spread: Jaguars -8.5
- Total: 40.5
Money has come in on the Jaguars as this game opened with the Jacksonville favored by a touchdown and an extra point. The Total sits today where it opened.
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Rotoworld Bet Best Bets
Expert picks & predictions for Browns vs. Jaguars
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Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NFL calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, betting trends, and weather forecasts.
Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.
Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Sunday’s game between the Browns and the Jaguars:
- Moneyline: Rotoworld Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline
- Spread: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Browns +8.5 ATS.
- Total: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Total OVER 40.5.
Browns vs. Jaguars betting trends and stats
- The Browns were 8-9 against the spread this season
- The Jaguars were 12-6 against the spread last season
- Cleveland was 8-9 to the OVER last season
- Jacksonville was 10-7-1 to the OVER last season
Quarterback matchup for Browns vs. Jaguars
- Cleveland: Deshaun Watson
2025 Statistics: DNP
2024 Statistics: 7GP, 1148 Passing Yards, 5 TDs, 3 INTs, 21.0 Passer Rating - Jacksonville: Trevor Lawrence
2025 Statistics: 17GP, 4007 Passing Yards, 29 TDs, 12 INTs, 91.0 Passer Rating
Top Playmakers: Browns vs. Jaguars
Cleveland Browns
- Harold Fannin Jr.
2025 Statistics: 16GP, 72 Receptions on 107 Targets for 731 Yds, 6 TDs - Jerry Jeudy
2025 Statistics: 17GP, 50 Receptions on 106 Targets for 602 Yds, 2 TDs - Quinshon Judkins
2025 Statistics: 14GP, 230 carries for 827 Yds, 7 TDs
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Parker Washington
2025 Statistics: 17GP, 58 receptions on 95 targets for 847 Yds, 5 TDs - Brian Thomas Jr.
2025 Statistics: 14GP, 48 Receptions on 91 Targets for 707 Yds, 2 TDs - Jakobi Meyers
2025 Statistics: 16GP, 75 Receptions on 110 Targets for 835 Yds, 3 TDs
Browns vs. Jaguars Injury Update
Browns
- G Teven Jenkins (undisclosed) is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game
- DT Maliek Collins (undisclosed) is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game
- C Parker Brailsford (undisclosed) is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game
Jaguars
- WR Jakobi Meyers (hand) is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game
- RT Cole Van Lanen (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game
- RB LeQuint Allen Jr. (hip) is questionable for Sunday’s game
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