New York Jets

Game Preview: New York Jets at Cleveland Browns

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Oct 2, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) gets hit by Seattle Seahawks defensive end Frank Clark (55) in the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Jets (2-5) travel to Ohio to face the Cleveland Browns (0-7) in a matchup of disappointing seasons, and poor quarterback play.

This week the disappointing New York Jets (2-5) take a trip to Cleveland to fact the Browns (0-7) in a battle of seemingly lost seasons. The Jets and Browns met last year to open the season, and the Jets won easily, 31-10.

The Jets have been torched through the air all season long, and their offense has yet to click the way it did when they put up 37 points on the Bills and gained 493 yards. They look to change their fortunes, and get the ball rolling against a putrid Browns secondary, and weak run defense. Cleveland’s defense ranks 31st in the league in total defense, look for the Jets to expose that.

The Browns are in full rebuild mode, again. They’ve had a lot of positives in the midst of a horrendous start such as; the development of Terrelle Pryor, the play of their younger players, and the culture change happening in the locker room. They’ve come so close to winning a game several times this year, but can’t finish. This may be their best chance for the rest of the year with a 39.3% chance to win via the Football Power Index.

This game has the makings of an ugly one. This could be a great chance for the Jets to finally gain some traction and work out their errors, and this could also be the best chance for Cleveland to avoid an 0-16 season. There are many possibilities, and an incredible opportunity for both teams.

Oct 16, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) reacts after being tripped up by Cleveland Browns linebacker Emmanuel Ogbah (90) in the second half at Nissan Stadium. Tennessee won 28-26. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Emmanuel Ogbah, EDGE: He’s finally turned the corner, and is starting to become the player the Browns hoped he would be. Ogbah is currently the team leader in sacks (3.0), and they’ve all come over the past two weeks. He’s starting to heat up, and become the fierce pass rusher he was at Oklahoma State. The Jets’ offensive line is weak, Ogbah will have plenty of opportunity to boost those numbers on Sunday.

Demario Davis, LB: Davis will get a crack at his former team, it’s safe to say he has had this one circled on the calendar for some time now. Davis has been great as a run stopper for the Browns this year, and is their second leading tackler behind Christian Kirksey. Expect Davis to be fired up, and ready to make some plays against his old team.

Ricardo Louis, WR: Corey Coleman is still out with his broken hand, and Terrelle Pryor will be limited with a hamstring injury, expect Louis to see more targets. Louis has enjoyed the best stretch of his young career tallying 11 catches for 111 yards in October, and has seen a significant increase in targets. The Jets’ secondary has been susceptible to long passes and Louis is a guy who could burn them on deep and intermediate routes.

Oct 23, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Quincy Enunwa (81) runs for a touchdown after catching a pass from Geno Smith (not shown) during the first half of their game against the Baltimore Ravens at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

Quincy Enunwa, WR: The Browns’ secondary is ranked 29th in the NFL, and has allowed the most passing touchdowns in the NFL. If Joe Haden plays he will be on Brandon Marshall, which leaves Enunwa in an opportunity to feast. Expect him to see a larger amount of targets, and potentially have a huge day.

Matt Forte, RB: Cleveland’s given up 979 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground. Forte had a huge week last week against a stout Ravens run defense (6th in the NFL), and it’s hard to believe Cleveland could keep him at bay. Forte’s a talented back who can run and catch out of the backfield, expect him to give Cleveland fits.

Darrelle Revis, CB: Don’t sleep on Terrelle Pryor, the ex-QB label may be misleading, but Pryor’s putting together a solid season with 431 yards and three touchdowns while battling injury. Pryor’s a big piece of the Browns’ offensive attack, and if Revis can shut him down then it could be a very long day for the Browns.

Jun 7, 2016; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns running backs Isaiah Crowell (34) and Duke Johnson Jr, (29) run a drill during minicamp at the Cleveland Browns training facility. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Don’t Abandon the Run: Isaiah Crowell is in the midst of a career year, he has 495 yards, an average of 5.2 ypc, and four touchdowns, he only had four all of last year. Duke Johnson’s also enjoying a nice season running and catching out of the backfield. Since they’re down early weekly, they have to abandon the run, which doesn’t always work, they can’t afford to abandon the run this week, especially with as well a they’re playing.

Get to Fitzpatrick: Ryan Fitzpatrick leads the league in interceptions, and has struggled all year. If the Browns young pass rushers can get in his face and make it difficult for him they can force him into some mistakes. He earned the lowest PFF QB grade ever against the Chiefs by throwing six picks when pressured on only 10 out of 46 drop backs. The Browns need to hope he reverts and turns the ball over.

Stay Healthy: Terrelle Pryor, Josh McCown, and several other players are all playing with or just coming off of injuries, The Browns need to stay healthy and gain experience given their overwhelming youth all across the board. If their starters can stay healthy, and most importantly avoid turnovers, they could spring the upset.

Hold on to the Ball: The Jets are turnover prone, and need to avoid giving the Browns’ offense chances to burn them. If they can avoid a Fitzpatrick meltdown, and not fumble, they should have no problem putting Cleveland away. However, this is a Browns team that is given less credit then they deserve, you can’t afford to give them extra opportunities on offense.

Stop the Run: The Browns rushing offense is quietly one of the best in the NFL, currently ranked seventh, despite having to basically abandon it at halftime. They’re sneaky good, and have two backs who can do some damage to defenses. If the Jets can’t contain Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson it’ll open things up for Josh McCown to take shots downfield.

Hit the QB Early and Often: Josh McCown is injury prone, that’s a fact. He’s coming off of his second collarbone injury in 10 months, and could be limited in what he can do this week. If they can get to McCown and hit him they could force him into a much more limited role. If McCown goes down the backup is Kevin Hogan, who was only capable of running the ball last week in their loss at Cincinnati.

Oct 23, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns inside linebacker Demario Davis (56) celebrates with inside linebacker Chris Kirksey (58) against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals won 31-17. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

This is it Cleveland, your best chance to win all year, and it’s a 30% chance. This is a team with nothing to lose playing at home, and those can be the trickiest games of all. There will be no bars on them and what they can and can’t run.

Expect them to pull everything out in this one, and for the Browns to run the ball a lot, even if they go down. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Hue Jackson take shots downfield again once they reach the 50 against a Jets secondary that’s given up some deep balls this year.

The Jets are in a dangerous position, they can not underestimate this Browns team or they will be embarrassed. There will be more offense than expected; especially on the ground. An old quarterback matchup will be ugly, and their turnovers will ultimately decide the game.

It’s hard to pick either of these teams to win given their poor starts, however, a Cleveland team with nothing to lose at home against the Jets has trap game written all over it. Cleveland pulls off their only upset win of the season behind a couple of Ryan Fitzpatrick turnovers.

FINAL: Browns 27 Jets 24