Cleveland Browns vs. Jets: Do we predict a Friday hangover?
By Randy Gurzi
Writer: Martin McConnell
In front of a national audience, under the brights lights, whatever other cliches you want to use. Cleveland will be the center of the NFL world this Thursday night as the Cleveland Browns take on the New York Jets in primetime. A week five rematch from 2017 in which the Jets defeated the Browns, 17-14. With two missed field goals from former Brown Zane Gonzalez, one can argue that the Browns should have won that game, avoiding 0-16. But that was last year, and this is a new day. Let’s break this one down.
On offense, this is the week where the Browns simply must get something, anything at all, going. Cleveland’s offensive unit has been, no pun intended, offensively bad thus far in 2018. Despite a stellar defense handing them turnover after turnover through two games, the Browns have only managed to create 10 points off of eight takeaways. If the defense continues their turnover-creating ways, the Browns should look to mix up their rushing attack with Nick Chubb during this one. Tyrod Taylor does need to play better this Thursday night, but the running game should be the focal point of Cleveland’s attack.
More. Thursday night should be Hue’s last shot. light
Defensively, I think the Browns match up exceptionally well against the Jets. Facing a rookie quarterback in Sam Darnold, Cleveland’s energetic defense should have plenty of opportunities for pass breakups and turnovers. The goal here should be to make Darnold throw the ball more and more often, which gives Myles Garrett and Larry Ogunjobi a big job to do: shut down Isaiah Crowell. You might remember Crowell from his time with the Browns, but through two games, The Crow seems to have reinvented himself. On just 22 carries, Crowell has nearly 150 yards for Gang Green this season; the Browns need to halt his career resurgence to have a good chance on defense.
Ultimately, I think this one comes down to the matchup of the Jets’ passing attack and the Browns’ defense. If the Browns capitalize on a trigger-happy rookie, they give themselves a terrific shot in this one. Overall, I think the Browns are the more talented team here, and unsurprisingly, the more talented team usually wins the game. Crack open those fridges, Cleveland. It’s time.
Final Score: Cleveland 17, New York 10