4 winners and 5 losers for Jaguars in disappointing Week 2 loss against Browns

The Jacksonville Jaguars had a favorable matchup against the Cleveland Browns in Week 2. However, they couldn't take advantage of it and lost 18-13.

The Jags couldn't get anything going on offense, and the defense made Deshaun Watson look like a top-5 quarterback throughout most of the game despite the fact that he was without tight end David Njoku and starting offensive tackles Jack Conklin and Jedrick Wills Jr.

What's infuriating about the loss is that Jacksonville has plenty of playmakers on both sides of the ball. But as Travis Etienne pointed out after the contest, what they need is more hard workers.

Based on how things played out, it doesn't look like the Jags have many right now. With that in mind, here are four winners and four losers in the Week 2 loss to Cleveland.

WR Brian Thomas Jr. was a winner for the Jaguars after the Week 2 loss

Brian Thomas Jr. continues to live up to his draft billing. Selected with the 23rd overall pick earlier this year, the former LSU Tiger was arguably the Jaguars' best offensive player in Week 2. Once again, he showcased his big-play capability, hauling in a 63-yard reception.

The Lousiana native finished with two catches for 94 yards on four targets, which makes you wonder why the Jaguars don't dial up his number more often.

TE Brenton Strange was a winner for the Jaguars in the loss to the Browns

Tight end Evan Engram suffered an injury during warm-ups that prevented him from partaking in the Week 2 contests. Trevor Lawrence missed him but Brenton Strange filled in for him and did a commendable job, registering three catches for 65 yards.

Strange is often lost in the mix because of how many weapons the Jaguars offense has. However, he showed in the loss to the Browns that maybe he should get more playing time moving forward, even if Engram is back in the fold.

DE Josh Hines-Allen was a winner for the Jaguars in the loss to the Browns

The Jaguars weren't able to pressure Deshaun Watson despite the fact that both of their starting offensive tackles were ruled out for the game and later lost backup tackle Dawand Jones. The only bright spot in the trenches was defensive end Josh-Hines Allen.

The 2023 Pro Bowl nod had one of the team's two sacks and forced a holding penalty late in the game. That said, you could make the case that Hines-Allen didn't do nearly enough to help the Jags beat Cleveland.

RB Travis Etienne Jr. was a winner for the Jaguars in the loss to the Browns

Travis Etienne was underwhelming in the season opener but bounced back nicely in Week 2, toting the rock 13 times for 52 yards with a touchdown. You could even argue that the coaching staff should've given him more carries.

K Cam Little was a loser for the Jaguars in the loss to the Browns

Cam Little has routinely delivered for the Jaguars, which is why it was odd to see him miss a field goal in the second half. He nailed his other two attempts but if he had made the other one, the game could've shaped up differently.

After all, Jacksonville was trailing 16-3 by the time of the miss. The Jags scored in their following drive. Had Little made the field goal, he would've made it 16-13 and the team's offensive strategy might've changed.

WR Gabe Davis was a loser for the Jaguars in the loss to the Browns

The Jags signed Gabe Davis to a three-year deal worth $39 million in free agency. So far, they haven't gotten a return on their investment. The Jacksonville native moved the chains late in the loss but he was mostly underwhelming, bringing in just three catches for 43 yards on seven targets.

The passing game isn't clicking and Davis' play is a reason why.

Mitch Morse and Ezra Cleveland were losers for the Jaguars in the loss to the Browns

The offensive still has trouble protecting Trevor Lawrence. Against the Browns, they gave up four sacks. Center Mitch Morse and left guard Ezra Cleveland exemplified their struggles up front. Late in the game, the Jags were near their own goal line. They attempted a long pass and Morse and Cleveland had a two-on-one matchup against defensive end Alex Wright but they couldn't stop him from bringing down No. 16.

Lawrence must definitely play better but the Jags must do a better job of protecting him too.

QB Trevor Lawrence was a loser for the Jaguars in the loss to the Browns

As noted before, Trevor Lawrence isn't getting good protection but he's also getting paid to elevate his teammates, something he's struggled to do so far in 2024. In the first half against the Browns, he completed just five of 11 passes for 16 yards. He flipped the switch in the second half but didn't do nearly enough to come out on top.

While Doug Pederson deserves plenty of blame for the team's 0-2 start, Lawrence shouldn't get a pass.

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