TAMPA — After spending an entire offseason promising a fresh start under Todd Monken, the Cleveland Browns required less than three quarters to fall behind Jacksonville 31-0.

Cleveland will attempt to recover Sunday afternoon against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Both teams enter at 0-1, although their opening losses looked very different.

Tampa Bay remained competitive (at least in the second half) in its 33-27 loss to Cincinnati despite committing four turnovers. Cleveland was thoroughly dismantled during a 34-10 defeat in which the offense failed to score during the first half and the defense allowed Trevor Lawrence to throw four touchdown passes.

The Browns’ defense was expected to be the strength of the team. Instead, Jacksonville scored touchdowns on four of its first six possessions, while Cleveland produced one sack and two quarterback hits. Lawrence completed 18 of 23 passes for 245 yards and finished with a 150.6 passer rating.

That cannot happen again against Baker Mayfield.  Please, not that

The former Browns quarterback completed 23 of 28 passes for 216 yards against Cincinnati, but his three lost fumbles helped turn an otherwise efficient performance into a loss. Cleveland must pressure Mayfield without creating the coverage breakdowns that Jacksonville repeatedly exploited.

Deshaun Watson completed 16 of 22 passes for 205 yards, one touchdown and one interception against Jacksonville. Those numbers look respectable until noticing that 89 yards and the touchdown came during Cleveland’s final possession, long after the outcome had been decided.  In other words, during meaningless garbage time.

Cleveland does not need Watson to become an elite quarterback Sunday. That ship has sailed, struck an iceberg and is at rest somewhere along the ocean floor. The Browns merely need him to protect the football, keep the offense on schedule and provide enough competence to prevent another game from ending before halftime.

A better performance would also give Quinshon Judkins an opportunity to become a larger part of the offense. Judkins managed 33 yards on 12 carries against Jacksonville, but Cleveland abandoned any realistic commitment to the running game after falling hopelessly behind.

Players to Watch

• The Defense — Cleveland allowed four touchdown passes and generated only one sack against Jacksonville. Jared Verse and the defensive front must pressure Mayfield, while the secondary cannot repeat the coverage failures that defined Week 1. If the defense responds, the Browns should remain competitive into the second half.
• Deshaun Watson — Cleveland is no longer asking whether Watson can return to his Houston form. The relevant question is whether he can function as a competent NFL quarterback. He must avoid early turnovers, operate the offense efficiently and produce points before the game has already been decided.
• Quinshon Judkins — Judkins recorded 50 total yards on 14 touches during the opener. Tampa Bay allowed 106 rushing yards against Cincinnati but ranked fifth in the NFL against the run last season. If Cleveland avoids another early collapse, Judkins should receive enough carries to settle into a rhythm and finish near 100 yards.

Game Information

Notes

• Cleveland has won seven of its 11 meetings with Tampa Bay, including five straight before the original Browns moved to Baltimore.
• The Browns are 3-3 on the road against the Buccaneers.
• Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield spent four seasons with Cleveland after the Browns selected him first overall in 2018.
• Browns guard Teven Jenkins is out with a back injury, while cornerback Tyson Campbell is questionable with an ankle injury.
• Tampa Bay listed Jalen McMillan, Jacob Parrish and Miles Killebrew as questionable.

Prediction

Cleveland should play better than it did against Jacksonville, particularly on defense. Verse and the defensive front have too much talent to remain as ineffective as they were during the opener, and Mayfield’s tendency to hold the ball while attempting to extend plays should create opportunities for pressure.

That improvement should keep the game close long enough for Judkins to receive meaningful carries. Expect Cleveland to lean on him early and give him an opportunity to approach 100 yards.

The problem remains Watson. Tampa Bay does not need to dominate Cleveland’s offense if Watson cannot consistently sustain drives or push the ball downfield. The Buccaneers can focus on Judkins, force Cleveland into obvious passing situations and wait for the offense to stall.

The Browns will be more competitive and avoid another complete embarrassment. Unfortunately, playing better does not necessarily mean playing well enough to win.

Final Score: Tampa Bay 23, Cleveland 10