Parker Washington came into EverBank Stadium Sunday ready to make a statement.
The Jaguars' leading receiver in 2025 entered the first game of his contract year with no extension on the table, betting on himself ahead of the season. And on Sunday, he showed both the Jacksonville organization and the world that they’ll likely have to pay up.
On the Jags’ opening offensive drive, Washington lunged out to make an acrobatic 30-yard touchdown grab, scoring Jacksonville’s first points of the season. But that was just the beginning of his monster day against the Cleveland Browns. Washington later made a one-handed grab and a tip-toe sideline catch, showcasing his elite connection with quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
Ultimately, Washington finished with five catches for 83 yards and a touchdown, powering the Jaguars (1-0) to a 34-10 season-opening victory over the Browns (0-1). The blowout win extended Jacksonville’s regular-season winning streak to nine games, the second-longest mark in team history.
"That's what you dream of," Washington said of the strong start to his season. "That's why you put the time in in the off-season and focus on just coming out here. How do I start strong and, most importantly, how do I finish strong? So that's the mindset. That's the key to wanting to be the best pro you can be, and that's how I want to attack each day."
The Jags dictated play on both sides of the ball, outgaining the Browns 360 to 272 and recording 23 first downs to Cleveland’s 14.
Jacksonville’s offensive success started behind center, as Lawrence, a sixth-year pro, was excellent in his 2026 debut. He completed 18 of 23 passes for 245 yards and four scores, and his second touchdown pass of the game was No. 100 of his career. That milestone throw made him the fourth player in NFL history to record at least 100 passing touchdowns and 20 rushing touchdowns before the age of 27.
Also notable throughout the contest was Lawrence’s elite ball distribution to the extremely deep group of Jaguars offensive targets. The former Clemson Tiger connected with nine different pass-catchers, and each of his four touchdowns was to a different receiver: Washington, Josh Cameron, Jakobi Meyers and Brenton Strange.
Both Brian Thomas Jr. and Meyers recorded 40 receiving yards, while Cameron, a rookie out of Baylor, added 20 yards and recorded a touchdown on his first career catch. Strange, meanwhile, led Jacksonville’s tight end group with two catches and 23 yards.
"A bunch of guys winning, getting open," Lawrence said. "The front played great ... A lot to build on."
With questions regarding who would assume the lead running back role after Travis Etienne Jr.’s departure, Bhayshal Tuten stood out from the pack thanks to his excellent one-cut ability and vision. He led the team with 15 carries for 66 yards, while also adding 22 yards through the air.
Behind him, Chris Rodriguez Jr. added 23 yards on six attempts, while veteran Ameer Abdullah was elevated from the practice squad and showed some juice with 32 yards on four carries.
After winning the coin toss and choosing to receive the ball, Cleveland had momentum out of the gate, picking up three first downs on its opening drive. But that momentum quickly stalled when veteran linebacker Foyasade Oluokun picked off quarterback Deshaun Watson after diagnosing an intermediate pass play perfectly.
From there, the Browns’ offense was suffocated by the stout Jags’ defense, which forced two turnovers. Watson finished the contest 16 of 22 passing for 205 yards, a touchdown and an interception.
Cleveland also could not get it going on the ground, with running back Quinshon Judkins only mustering 33 yards on 12 carries. Watson finished the game as Cleveland’s leading rusher with 38 yards.
The defensive end duo of Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker also could not be denied, combining for three sacks and a forced fumble. Hines-Allen also recorded a fumble recovery in the second quarter after former Florida Gator linebacker Ventrell Miller punched a ball out of rookie wide receiver KC Concepcion Jr.’s hands.
"We want to be the number one defense," Hines-Allen said. "We have a lot of trust within each other ... That's the complement of football that we are going to continue to play."
Miller, whom Allen said the entire defense "trusts", impressed after earning the start Sunday, recording the aforementioned forced fumble, a sack and a team-high 9 combined tackles. Post-game, the potential breakout linebacker spoke about his mentality and drive to improve.
"Being more physical, getting off blocks, getting to your right leverage," Miller said. "Having the mindset to go down there and make the play, be the one to make the play."
Despite EverBank Stadium being just over 60% capacity, the Jaguars fans made an impact during the game, helping Jacksonville dominate the penalty battle as well. Cleveland had numerous procedural penalties on both sides of the ball and finished with 11 calls against, while the Jaguars were flagged only four times.
"They got into the game," Walker said of the fans. "It sounded right out there."
Jacksonville will now head to Colorado to take on the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Kickoff is at 4:05 ET Sept. 20.
Contact Max Bernstein at mbernstein@alligator.org. Follow him on X at @maxbernstein23.
Max Bernstein is a fourth-year sports and media journalism major and sports management minor. This Fall, he is a Sports Editor and a Florida Gators and Jacksonville Jaguars reporter at The Alligator. Now in his ninth semester with The Alligator, Max previously served in roles including Digital Managing Editor, Sports Editor, Assistant Sports Editor and Football Reporter. He has also made appearances on the Paul Finebaum Show. In the rare moments Max isn't working, he's usually with his girlfriend Reese, watching sports with his fraternity brothers or missing his family and his two cats.
