JACKSONVILLE – This is big for both teams.
It's not technically "must win" for either team, because Sunday’s game at EverBank Stadium is Week 2. That means 15 games remain for the Jaguars and their opponent, the Cleveland Browns.
But both teams lost Week 1. And 0-2 is a difficult deficit in the NFL.
"We've got to get this one," Jaguars tight end Evan Engram said.
So, if Sunday isn't "must win" for the Jaguars or their AFC North opponent, it's at least a game both teams very much want to win – and it's a game that's important for the Jaguars for more reasons than it just being the 2024 regular-season home opener.
Sunday's game is the only one of the Jaguars' first four games to be played in Jacksonville. They travel to the Buffalo Bills for a Monday Night Football game in Week 3, then travel to Houston to play the Texans in a key AFC South game in Week 4. That's four 2023 playoff teams in the first four weeks.
Which means a tough early schedule, which makes them all big.
The Browns are a tough opponent. They have one of the NFL's best defenses, one that features one of the NFL's best players – defensive end Myles Garrett. There is talent everywhere around the defense. And while it's an offense in transition, it's a talented unit that features quarterback Deshaun Watson and a strong group of receivers. The Browns also need the game just as much as the Jaguars, which makes any NFL opponent tricky.
The Jaguars have lost six of seven games dating to last season. They're not last season's team, but they also must prove that statement true. They need to start doing that Sunday.
Here are 10 things the Jaguars must do to make that happen:
- Protect the ball. This was an issue last season. The Jaguars only committed one turnover in a 20-17 Week 1 loss to the Miami, but it was a killer – with running back Travis Etienne Jr. fumbling into the end zone for a third-quarter touchback that changed the game's momentum. Eliminating mistakes is key this week for this offense. Eliminating turnovers is particularly key.
- Be aware of Myles Garrett. The Browns' defensive end might be the NFL's best non-quarterback. He was the 2023 NFL Defensive Player of the Year and can dominate an offense. There aren't many players in the NFL for whom you must account on every play. Garrett is one.
- Pressure Deshaun Watson … The Browns' veteran quarterback is talented. And dangerous. But he hasn't played as well in Cleveland as he did during his time with Houston. Pressure will help ensure that remains the case.
- … contain Watson. This is always an issue here. Watson remains one of the NFL's most dangerous quarterbacks when pressured. He can make plays outside the pocket that alter the game. If the Jaguars succeed in pressuring him, they must keep in him in the pocket.
- Be resilient. The Jaguars controlled the game in Week 1 – until they didn't. Etienne's fumble into the end zone in the third quarter – with the defense allowing an 80-yard touchdown pass on the ensuing play – gave the Dolphins momentum. The Jaguars must stop letting such moments decide entire games. Resilience is this week's buzzword and because how couldn't it be?
- Execute*.* This is a catch-all word that sometimes means comparatively little. But it's important for the Jaguars these days because too many recent games have been decided by very avoidable mistakes. Execute. It's simple and so difficult at times.
- Force turnovers. The Jaguars were mostly very good defensively in Week 1. The unit was exceptionally good in a lot of big moments, three times holding Miami without points after the Dolphins drove past midfield. But the Jaguars didn't force a turnover in Week 1 – and in the NFL, takeaways often decide games.
- Stop the run. The Jaguars wanted to be stouter and more physical this season. They were solid here in Week 1, holding the Dolphins to 83 yards. This must be a strength this season for this defense to be strong.
- Run. Among the most encouraging happenings for the Jaguars in Week 1 was that they ran very effectively for three quarters. That had been an offseason focus – and if they are as improved there as they looked for three quarters, that will help the offense immeasurably.
- Make.A.Play. The Jaguars had plenty of chances in the fourth quarter in Week 1 to win the game. They couldn't make one. NFL games are decided my big moments. The Jaguars must start playing better in those moments.
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