There is perhaps no player and team in the NFL with a worse look heading into Week 2 than quarterback Deshaun Watson and the Cleveland Browns. Watson is facing a new lawsuit accusing him of sexual assault and battery. A statement from Watson’s attorney denies the allegations. Because the case is civil and not criminal, the NFL has not placed Watson on the exempt list. He is expected to play on Sunday against the Jaguars.
Even with Watson, the Browns will be three-point underdogs when they try to rebound from a Week 1 loss against the Jacksonville Jaguars, who are coming off a loss of their own.
The Browns offense was a mess in Week 1, as offensive line injuries and the continued absence of running back Nick Chubb helped halt the running game. Meanwhile, Watson’s continued ineffectiveness as a passer started to raise questions as to when we might actually see backup Jameis Winston get playing time.
Watson faces a Jacksonville defense that was in the bottom 10 in yards allowed in 2023 and gave up 400 yards in an overtime loss to Miami in Week 1. But if tackle Jack Conklin can’t go for the Browns, with Jedrick Willis Jr. out, it could again cause more protection issues and problems for the offense.
The Jaguars have their own offensive woes after an underwhelming Week 1 showing. It is not going to get much easier with Myles Garrett and a Browns defense looming. Cleveland ranked No. 1 in the NFL in yards against last season.
The Browns were only 2-6-1 against the spread on the road last season, including 1-3-1 as road underdogs.
The Jaguars, meanwhile, were only 3-5 against the spread at home, one of the worst marks in the league.
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Cleveland Browns at Jacksonville Jaguars odds
How to watch Browns at Jaguars
- Venue: Everbank Stadium — Jacksonville, Fla.
- Time: 1 p.m. ET, Sunday
- TV: CBS
- Streaming: Try Fubo for free
Expert picks for Browns at Jaguars
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(Photo of Trevor Lawrence: Carmen Mandato / Getty Images)
