Sometimes teams perform well but still don't live up to lofty expectations. Other times underdogs overachieve and take the world by storm. Week 1 might be a case of the latter for the Cleveland Browns.
While the Browns enter 2026 as the biggest underdog on the NFL's weekend slate, there's always an element of the unknown at the start of a new season. Cleveland's opponent, the Jacksonville Jaguars, is stronger on paper, but that doesn't mean Todd Monken's team will simply lie down and take a beating.
Like every Week 1 underdog, the Browns will be looking to make a statement. Considering that, let's take a look at four optimistic — yet realistic — predictions for the first official game of the Monken era.
Cleveland has enough young talent to make its Week 1 upset bid interesting
1. Taylen Green will notch his first NFL touchdown (but there's a catch)
Monken hinted this week that third-string quarterback Taylen Green could be active on game days. The coaching staff is high on his dual-threat playmaking abilities, so there could be a special package of plays in the game plan for him.
In this prediction, the Browns get their sixth-round rookie on the field in a goal-line situation. Then, when everyone expects him to use his legs to find pay dirt — he'll hit Denzel Boston with a quick-hitter instead.
This would be a two-for-one. The Browns' rookie quarterback gets his first career touchdown pass, but Boston gets to take the game ball home.
Green isn't the most prolific passer at this stage of his development, but this would be the ultimate trick play. No one would see it coming. Boston is also a walking mismatch in the red zone.
2. The defense will force two turnovers
Carson Schwesinger missed most of training camp with an injury, but he's fully healthy and ready to roll. He's already talked about how defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg wants to turn this defense into a ballhawking unit, and the table will be set here.
Trevor Lawrence has always struggled to take care of the football. He led the league with 17 turnovers as a rookie. He's gotten better and has stayed in single digits twice, but he did throw 12 picks last season.
The Browns' secondary was firing on all cylinders throughout training camp, piling up picks left and right. They also have a new punch-out specialist in rookie defensive back Emmanuel McNeil-Warren.
One interception and one forced fumble and recovery seems realistic for this new-look defense on Sunday.
3. KC Concepcion will lead the team in yards
While he may not find paydirt, KC Concepcion will get off to the races from the jump. Whether it is returning kicks, coming out of the backfield, or running routes, the rookie first-round pick will be everywhere in Week 1.
Concepcion entered the league with major concerns about his drops, but that hasn't been an issue in training camp and the preseason. Monken will reward him and get him involved as often as possible.
The rookie out of Texas A&M is the team's most dynamic weapon. And with serious limitations at quarterback, putting the ball in their playmakers' hands might be the easiest way to keep the chains in motion.
4. Jared Verse gets his first sack as a Brown
Ever since he arrived in Northeast Ohio, Jared Verse has looked like a man on a mission. He's raised the team's competitiveness by bringing in some winning habits from the Los Angeles Rams, and he took it upon himself to help get rookie left tackle Spencer Fano ready as a Day 1 starter.
Verse isn't Myles Garrett, but he's a rising star in the league, and he'll play with more competitive fire and a bigger chip on his shoulder than ever before this year.
The Jaguars' offensive line isn't special, especially along the interior. With Mason Graham living in the backfield in training camp and wreaking havoc in the middle, Verse will have a red carpet to get to Lawrence and start his Browns tenure on the right foot.
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