Jaguars vs. Browns: Trevor Lawrence and Evan Engram connect for TD

Fans of the Jacksonville Jaguars got to see Trevor Lawrence and running back Travis Etienne make their preseason debut against the Cleveland Browns. Also, they saw Lawrence complete a nine-yard touchdown pass to tight end Evan Engram.

First, credit where credit is due, the Jags’ defense has done a good job of keeping the Browns away from the end zone in the first quarter. Similarly, safety Rayshawn Jenkins set the tone when he forced running back D’Ernest Johnson to fumble, which cornerback Shaquill Griffin then recovered. They eventually gave up several big runs and a three-yard touchdown to Jerome Ford in the second quarter.

The Jaguars’ offense has had three possessions and has come out of all of them with points. It’s still early but Jacksonville is leading 13-7 in the second quarter, after Engram’s touchdown. The tight end was wide open, saw an opportunity, and took advantage of it.

In his first pass attempt of the game, Lawrence connected with wide receiver Zay Jones for a 32-yard gain. Not long after, the second-year quarterback ran the ball for 11 yards, showing no trouble moving the ball. Not long after, Etienne broke a run for 12 yards. This is the kind of plays the Jaguars expected the duo to make when they drafted them last year.

Although the Jags couldn’t seal the deal and had to settle for a field goal in their first two drives, the offense potential was on display. On the bright side, the team’s brass got to see Ryan Santoso and Elliot Fry in action. Both of them nailed their field-goal attempts. They’re currently entangled in a competition for the kicker job.

The Jaguars offense has the potential to gain yards in chunks

It took one whole year for Lawrence and Etienne to play in a football game again. The latter suffered a Lisfranc injury in Week 1 of the preseason that forced him to miss his rookie campaign while the former had to endure the Urban Meyer debacle.

It’s just the preseason and the Browns sat several starters but it’s encouraging to see Jacksonville take an aggressive approach on offense. On the other hand, it would have been good to see the Jags come out of their first two drives with 14 points, not six. Still, the Jags are taking steps in the right direction.

Lawrence has paved the way for C.J. Beathard and most of the starters will start to leave the game too. Still, there there’s plenty of time left in the game, so make sure you check the Black and Teal for updates.