JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Considering most of the first team didn’t play, this was about as great a showing as you could’ve asked for.
The Browns defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 23-6 Saturday night in both teams’ preseason opener. The majority of Cleveland’s starters remained on the bench, but the team dominated almost from the get-go.
Even without Myles Garrett, Jadeveon Clowney, and John Johnson III, the Browns’ defense was splendid mostly all night long, limiting the Jags to a touchdown early in the fourth quarter and another in garbage time. Second-round draft pick Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah made his presence known with a team-high eight tackles along with a sack, and even came close to blocking a punt.
Backup quarterback Case Keenum played the first quarter and a half under center, but the star of the night on offense was third-stringer Luke Lauletta, who completed 19 of 27 passes for 212 yards and two TDs. One of those scores was to Davion Davis, who made an impressive catch in the right rear corner of the end zone from 27 yards out.
It was the NFL coaching debut for Ashtabula native and former Ohio State head man Urban Meyer, who elected to start No. 1 overall selection Trevor Lawrence at QB. The former Clemson star was solid, going 6 for 9 for 71 yards.
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What follows is a drive-by-drive recap of all the action, with the most recent plays and updates closest to the top:
4TH QUARTER
0:26: The Jaguars manage to add some garbage time points as Jake Luton finds Tyler Davis for a 7-yard touchdown. However, the kickoff goes through the end zone, and the Browns will take over at their own 25 up 23-13.
2:17: For the first time tonight, the Browns go three-and-out, and Jamie Gillan is forced to punt. Pharoh Cooper returns it to the Jacksonville 48, where the Jaguars will start.
2:47: An Elijah Benton interception was taken off the board upon further review, but the Browns still manage to stop the Jaguars at their own 38. JoJo Natson then proceeds to return the ensuing punt 90 yards inside the Jacksonville 10, but the run is called back all the way to the Cleveland 7 due to an illegal blocking penalty.
4:28: A 20-play, 89-yard drive lasts more than 10 minutes and ends with a 7-yard Kyle Lauletta touchdown pass to Ryan Switzer. The Browns extend their advantage to 23-6.
14:56: C.J. Beathard gets the Jaguars on the board with a 5-yard touchdown pass to Tavon Austin. However, his two-point conversion pass is dropped by the same receiver, and the Browns' lead stays at 16-6.
3RD QUARTER
6:11: Kyle Lauletta again leads the Browns into Jacksonville territory before being sacked by Aaron Patrick back at their 30. Cody Parkey's 48-yard field goal attempt hits the left upright but still slips in, and Cleveland's lead is up to 16-0.
9:02: Veteran C.J. Beathard comes in at QB and leads the Jaguars to the Cleveland 29, but Justin Lambo's 47-yard field goal attempt sails wide left, and the Browns will take over still up 13-0.
2ND QUARTER
0:00: Gardner Minshew's Hail Mary pass from the Browns 45 is well short and intercepted by Richard LeCounte III, who returns it 28 yards before fumbling and having it recovered by his own team. We head into halftime with Cleveland up 13-0.
0:13: Davion Davis finally gets the Browns in the end zone, making an incredible touchdown catch on a 27-yard pass from Kyle Lauletta. Cleveland extends its lead to 13-0.
1:13: After a quick first down, the Jaguars are stopped at their own 18, and Logan Cooke is again forced to punt (although it was nearly blocked by Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah). Ja'Marcus Bradley returns it to the Cleveland 32, and the Browns will have a chance to add to their lead before halftime.
2:09: Kyle Lauletta replaces Case Keenum at quarterback and leads the Browns down to the Jacksonville 6. However, on 4th-and-goal, his pass intended for Demetric Felton is incomplete, and the Jaguars take over on downs.
6:27: The first three-and-out goes to Jacksonville, with rookie Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah laying down the hammer with a sack of new quarterback Gardner Minshew II at the Jaguars 9. Logan Cooke's punt is returned by fellow rookie Demetric Felton for four yards, and the Browns will begin on their own 39.
8:41: Case Keenum completes four passes (two to fullback Andy Janovich), but the Browns go cold on the Jacksonville 16. Cody Parkey comes out this time and converts the 34-yard field goal, giving Cleveland a 6-0 lead.
Donovan Peoples-Jones is done for the night after tallying 26 yards on three catches. On the injury front, tight end Stephen Carlson will not return with a knee ailment after catching two passes for 14 yards.
13:32: Trevor Lawrence leads the Jaguars on another solid drive, but on 4th-and-1, James Robinson is stuffed by Jordan Elliot and Malcolm Smith. The Browns will take over at their own 43-yard line.
Some bad news for Cleveland, however: Linebacker Mack Wilson sustained a shoulder injury and is questionable to return.
1ST QUARTER
1:52: Case Keenum makes a couple of nice throws for first downs, but a false start penalty stops the Browns on their own own 37. Jamie Gillan's booming punt goes 52 yards before Jacksonville's Tavon Austin returns it to his own 13-yard line.
6:16: A penalty wipes out a long kickoff return for Chris Claybrooks, forcing the Jaguars to begin the drive on their own 15. Trevor Lawrence starts at quarterback and helps get a couple of first down, but the series stalls at the Jacksonville 45. JoJo Natson returns the ensuing punt to the Cleveland 13-yard line.
10:40: Nearly all of the Browns' big names are resting tonight, but the second-team offense moved the ball quite well against the Jaguars' first unit. The drive ends with a 37-yard field goal from Chase McLaughlin, and Cleveland jumps out to an early 3-0 lead.
PREGAME
Along with a bulk of the starters, the following Browns players will not see the field due to injuries:
- WR Alexander Hollins (hamstring)
- WR Anthony Schwartz (hamstring)
- DE Myles Garrett (hamstring)
- DT Malik McDowell (rib)
- LB Tony Fields II (foot)
- LB Montrel Meander (hamstring)
- CB M.J. Stewart Jr. (hamstring)
- S Grant Delpit (hamstring)
- S Ronnie Harrison Jr. (hamstring)
- S Sheldrick Redwine (ankle)
However, all healthy rookies are expected to play, including first-round pick Greg Newsome II and second-round selection Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah.