NFL
NFL Week 3: New York Jets vs Cleveland Browns Preview
The New York Jets will battle the Cleveland Browns on Thursday Night Football. Despite what has gone terribly wrong for both franchises in recent memory, this game should be very entertaining. The Browns are trending upward while the Jets’ rookie QB Sam Darnold looks poised to be the face of the franchise for years to come.
Week 2 Recap
Darnold struggled early on against the Miami Dolphins. He threw two picks in the first half. His poise allowed him to recover quickly as he racked up 334 yards through the air. He did manage to record the team’s lone touchdown on a pass to WR Bilal Powell. The team’s carelessness with the ball is what really cost them the game. They had four fumbles and lost one of them. It’s hard to get a rhythm going when you play that way. The defense also had no takeaways after recording five interceptions against the Lions the week prior. Still, the game was within one possession in the end.
Oh, those Cleveland Browns. I feel for them. Their defense leads the league in takeaways so far with 4 per game. They held Drew Brees and the Saints to just 21 points last week. That was in the Superdome. Brees had a pedestrian 243 yards passing. The Browns’ defense also held RB Alvin Kamara to 46 rushing yards. The team had a total of 62. QB Tyrod Taylor held his own by going 22/30 with 246 passing yards. He had one touchdown to go along with one interception. The Browns’ chances of winning came down to its kicking game. Kicker Zane Gonzalez missed two extra points and two field goals last week. His potential game-winner against the Steelers was blocked in overtime the week before. I truly believe that he had a very quiet flight home that evening.
Week 3 Preview
While the Browns are first in the league in takeaways, the Jets are second. This will no doubt be a defensive struggle. Both teams’ defenses will fly all over the field looking for picks. Darnold’s comparisons to Brett Favre won’t do the Jets any favors in this game. While it’s a compliment to be compared to one of the game’s greats, Favre does have the most interceptions in league history. His gunslinger mentality made sure of that. It’s the same mentality that folks around the league see in Darnold. It’s what he’s shown in his first two career games.
The Browns should stick to what they’re doing. Even though Browns fans are calling for Baker Mayfield, Tyrod Taylor is doing a good job. The whole team is doing a good job except for their kicker. There’s no need to overthink the room. The Browns should finally end their winless streak Thursday night. I think.
Date: Thursday, September 20, 2018
Time: 8:20 pm Eastern Time
Location: FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, OH
Team Records:
New York Jets 1-1-0
Cleveland Brons 0-1-1
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