By admin 
The 2026 National Football League season kicked off on Sunday for 26 more teams, and most teams looked like they actually went through a training camp and preseason. Out of 13 games, we had six one-score contests on Sunday, but there is one team which stuck out due to its ineptitude on both sides of the ball. Yep, you guessed it. It’s the Browns.
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The Browns opened the season with a 34-10 egg-laying at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, and the ineptitude started early, as did the avalanche of expletives from fans watching television sets all over Northeast Ohio and throughout the world, who cheer for these lovable losers, year in and year out.
Deshaun Watson Isn’t the Only Problem
Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, who ‘won’ the starting job in the preseason over second-year signal caller Shedeur Sanders got off to a poor start almost immediately. Within the first three minutes, he had already thrown an interception, and that, folks, might be the easier prop bet I cash all season.
Watson was making his first NFL start since October 2024 after suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon, and there was expected to be plenty of rust. And excuses. There are always a ton of excuses with this guy. The Browns gave this dude the worst contract in NFL history, and perhaps the only reason he is starting is because ownership tied the hands of first-year head coach Todd Monken, demanding he play, so the brass can get something, anything, for its foolish investment.
Watson entered the day 7-0 in his career against the Jaguars franchise, so could things actually go the way of the Browns? We got that answer early — and often.
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On the surface, Watson’s stat line doesn’t look horrible. He was 16 of 22 for 205 yards, one touchdown and one interception, and he led the team with 38 rushing yards on six carries. However, his early interception set a bad tone for the game, and while, again, it’s not entirely his fault, as he isn’t out there blowing coverages or missing tackles, the quarterback is the lightning rod, right or wrong.
Browns More Offensive Issues Than QB
Fans are irrational, and tend to group together to form the same feelings, especially when fed a narrative by the media. They want to hate Watson, and the media tosses them plenty of red meat. But, there is a lot more going on in Cleveland, if you’re rational.
First off, the Browns have a brand-new offensive line. It had five new starters on the O-line for the first time since 1990. Offensive guard Teven Jenkins, the lone holdover, was inactive due to a back injury suffered Wednesday. A rookie, Austin Barber, started at right guard in his stead.
The team drafted two wide receivers in the first and second round, and while they have been a breath of fresh air, they’re also rookies, and going to take time to develop. And, the team’s best running back is coming back from a major injury after dislocating his ankle and fracturing his fibula. The offense has some nice pieces, but time takes time. Patience is not what a lot of Browns fans have, but it’s what is needed.
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This story was originally published September 14, 2026 at 1:02 PM.