New York Jets

Jets at Browns: Game preview, odds, prediction

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

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The Cleveland Browns may welcome the sight of the struggling New York Jets, as they bid for a first win of the 2016 NFL season in Week 8.

Browns head coach Hue Jackson has seen his team go through six quarterbacks and lose seven games. Meanwhile, Jets sideline general Todd Bowles is being let down by an under-performing defense.

Ironically, the Browns could exploit Bowles’ flagging D’ if they could just keep a competent quarterback upright. Cleveland’s problems under center have wasted some deceptive talent at the skill positions. In particular, the Browns boast a pair of versatile running backs in Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson. Meanwhile, tight end Gary Barnidge and converted wideout Terrelle Pryor are threats in the passing game.

Some of those weapons may get used with veteran Josh McCown likely to return to the starting role this week, per Mark Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain-Dealer. Cabot noted how rookie Cody Kessler still hasn’t been cleared to play.

Odds

Line: NYJ (-3)

Over/Under: 43

McCown is a career backup, but he’s perhaps the most accomplished passer on this roster. Jackson needs to use those skills after emphasizing trickery and gadgets for weeks. McCown’s arm strength and Pryor’s deep speed could exploit a Jets pass defense that’s struggled mightily this season. The Jets are allowing a 12-yard average per reception and are also allowing opponents to make catches off 69.2 percent of their targets, according to Sporting Charts.

It’s unusual for a unit with the talent the Jets boast to be struggling this much. Particularly with Bowles’ expertise being on this side of the ball. His case may not be helped this week, with two key members of the front seven missing practice, per ESPN’s Rich Cimini:

Mo Wilkerson, Darron Lee, Bilal Powell and Nick Mangold not practicing. #Jets

— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) October 26, 2016

Rookie linebacker Darron Lee is an active, sideline-to-sideline presence who would be a decent matchup against Barnidge or Johnson in coverage. But what the Jets really need is pressure up front, something an in-form Muhammad Wilkerson would usually provide.

However, he’s managed just 1.5 sacks so far for a defense that’s felt the collar of quarterbacks a mere 13 times through seven games.

Bowles should go back to the blitz-crazed schemes he used as coordinator of the Arizona Cardinals. It’s not as if the Browns have kept their quarterbacks clean this season, allowing 21 sacks and many hits.

Of course, Bowles might be more concerned about his own quarterback. He’s put Ryan Fitzpatrick back in the starting role despite a lifetime’s worth of turnovers.

Yet as Cimini also noted, the last time Fitzpatrick came back from being benched he threw six touchdowns for the Houston Texans in 2014.

Fitzpatrick should be overjoyed to see Quincy Enunwa back in action. The second-year hybrid pass-catcher who combines tight end dimensions with receiver speed, caught two passes for 73 yards and a touchdown last week.

Enunwa did his bit to help beat the Baltimore Ravens, as did rookies Robby Anderson and Jalin Marshall. The Jets need these players to step up not only because Eric Decker is on injured reserve, but also because Brandon Marshall could face a tough matchup this week.

Marshall may find himself going against Joe Haden, Cleveland’s best cornerback and one of the top cover men in the NFL. If Marshall does struggle to get free, the Jets will be more reliant on offensive coordinator Chan Gailey’s multiple-receiver, spread sets to create favorable matchups for Enunwa and Co. Gailey would also be wise to split out Matt Forte and isolate the veteran running back against Cleveland inside linebackers Demario Davis and Chris Kirksey.

Where the Browns defense can win is on the edges. Cleveland DC Ray Horton is getting exceptional performances from young edge-rushers Emmanuel Ogbah and Cam Thomas, both of whom can make life difficult for Fitzpatrick.

If McCown is relatively rust-free, this will be the Browns best chance yet to get their first win. These Jets have hopelessly underachieved and may not welcome life on the road as a remedy for their ills.

However, the Jets are the more talented of the two teams. As long as Bowles brings the heat against McCown, New York should squeeze out a win.

Pick: Jets 23, Browns 17