Manish Mehta: No team wants be the team that finally loses to Browns and Jets realize they’re in for a challenge
Although the Factory of Sadness has yet to celebrate a victory since
"They're a different team," wide receiver
There's a reason why Vegas oddsmakers have made the Browns favorites despite a 19-game drought that has them on the brink of the bad kind of history. Cleveland is hoping to avoid becoming only the fourth team in history to have a 20-plus game winless streak. The 1976-77
I supposed the Jets, playing their third game in 11 days to kick off the season, could be insulted at the notion of being underdogs to a team in the midst of an 0-18-1 funk, but it would be wasted energy. Anyone who has paid attention is fully aware that the Browns have ample talent to beat the Jets.
"I don't think this Cleveland team is anything like what they were before," wide receiver
Jackson, an unfathomable 1-32-1 the past two-plus seasons, has every right to think that "we're closer now than we've ever been" to a breakthrough. His club is sprinkled with playmakers on both sides. Cleveland's defense, led by game-wrecking pass rusher
The Browns offense underwent an extreme makeover with a new quarterback, two new receivers, two new running backs and some new offensive linemen. Unfortunately for them, they were done in by a kicker who missed two extra points and two field goals in a soul-crushing road loss to the Saints last weekend. (That kicker,
This group is barely recognizable from a year ago. It doesn't take a wily veteran to recognize that this team has some quality pieces that can hurt you.
"Every team in the
The Jets obviously are aware of Cleveland's bleak past, but they couldn't care less. They're just hoping to rid themselves of their home-opening loss to the
For all the newness in
"It's a big challenge, because he runs faster than most of the quarterbacks we face,"
Taylor has been uneven through the first two weeks. He completed a dreadful 37.5 percent of his passes (15 for 40), but scrambled for 77 yards and a touchdown in a season-opening tie to the
It'll be incumbent upon Bowles' defense to corral Taylor, who's already been sacked 10 times. Taylor is a skilled nuisance who can make you play if defenders get out of their rush lanes. The math isn't overly complicated: There are six potential rush lanes. If the Jets bring four pass rushers, they'll have to be sound in their gaps. Being overaggressive could prove costly. Taylor wasn't nicknamed T-Mobile by accident. He can beat you around the edge or step up and dart through the middle if there's an opening.
The Browns technically have the fourth-ranked rushing offense through two games, but primary ball carrier
"Their run is something we're going to have to stop early on so the play-action pass and things like that aren't in play," Williams said. "That's what makes them really good sometimes. They can get a few good running plays in and drive down on the field on runs. Then, the play action really works because people are biting down on the run game. And it leaves the (defensive backs) in a bind. Guys up front are going to put it on our back to stop the run as soon as possible."
Condensed preparation time coupled with traveling won't be easy to overcome for the Jets. Sprinkle in that their rookie quarterback is preparing for his third career start in 11 days and this will be a daunting challenge despite the perception.
The Browns might have been the laughing stock of the league the past two seasons, but the Jets aren't getting a free lunch.
"When we step on the field Thursday, no one cares about your previous records," outside linebacker
Of course, no team wants to be that team that finally lost to the Browns.
___
(c)2018 New York Daily News
Visit New York Daily News at www.nydailynews.com
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
LP’s Wilmington, N.C. Operations Temporarily Shut Down Following Hurricane Florence
She wanted to die at home … then the fire started
Advisor News
Annuity News
Health/Employee Benefits News
Life Insurance News