After months of preparation, the Jacksonville Jaguars will get to showcase just how good they are when they play the Cleveland Browns in Week 1.
Although the Jags are highly favored to come out on top, they cannot take Cleveland lightly. After all, there's no such thing as an easy game in the NFL. On the other hand, expect a motivated Jacksonville team to take the field Sunday.
With a win, the Jaguars would end a dreadful seven-game skid against Deshaun Watson, who'll start at quarterback for the Browns. Trouncing Cleveland would also set the tone for the season, so expect them to show out Sunday. With this in mind, here are five bold predictions for Week 1.
4 bold predictions for the Jaguars season opener vs. the Browns
Parker Washington will score a receiving TD and take a punt return to the house
As of this writing, Parker Washington has yet to sign an extension. There's a chance the Jaguars will get it done before kickoff, though. Either way, expect No. 11 to show why he deserves to be paid. Aside from being the No. 1 target in the passing game, he'll handle report duties. Liam Coen said as much during his media availability session Friday.
"He's the guy right now. Absolutely, we've messed around with a couple other guys being able to catch punts back there and be able to do some different things," Coen told reporters (16:37mark). "At some point here, Travis will get some of that stuff too. Like, we have to continue to put him in positions to get the ball in his hands and see what that looks like. And right now, it's Parker, though.
This will allow Washington to score his first receiving touchdown of the season, but he'll also take a punt all the way to the end zone.
Travis Hunter will pick off Deshaun Watson and register 3 passes defensed
Travis Hunter flashed as a cornerback in 2025, but he didn't make any big plays. Some of that stemmed from his limited time on defense (36 percent of the team's defensive snaps). The former Heisman Trophy winner will play cornerback full-time next season, so he'll get to showcase his ability to shut down opposing receivers and his ball skills.
Hunter will pick off Deshaun Watson and prevent him from hitting his receivers three times, proving that he can be an All-Pro corner at the NFL level.
Bhayshul Tuten and Chris Rodriguez will combine for 130 yards with a TD
The Jaguars let Travis Etienne walk in free agency. Bhayshlu Tuten and Chris Rodriguez will validate the decision when they take on the Browns. Liam Coen said that the offensive line and the tight ends will need to open lanes for the running game to be successful in Week 1. Expect them to pull it off.
This will, in turn, lead to Tuten and Rodriguez rushing for a combined 130 yards and a touchdown.
Nate Boerkircher will score his first touchdown with the Jaguars
The Jaguars caught a lot of heat when they drafted Nate Boerkircher because they outright ignored the consensus big board. On top of that, his production didn't pop off the stat sheet. However, the former Texas A&M Aggie made a strong impression in training camp.
While Boerchircher is behind Brenton Strange on the depth chart, he'll still play an important role on offense, especially in two tight-end sets. And precisely because the Aurora, Nebraska native isn't expected to have much of an impact, he'll stun the Browns with the first touchdown of his NFL career.
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