Cleveland Browns @ New York Jets, MetLife Stadium, 8:15 PM, ESPN (Jets +6.5, O/U: 45.5)
Cleveland came out flat last week and were all hype on paper and got punched in the mouth in front of their own fans by a Titans team who really has many doubts up and down that roster. Even their more sturdy/reliable defense was shown up. On paper, the Browns look stacked and should have a winning season but you don’t win games on swagger. Mayfield might’ve been selected #1 overall and turned around the Browns from being 1-31 over the previous 2 seasons before his arrival, but he still has a ton to prove. Throwing 3 picks to open the season, is not ideal but it is a learning curve. OBJ had watchgate all week and threatens to wear it again tonight. Are the Browns self imploding over self wants?
The Jets are without their young QB Darnold as he was dealt a mono diagnosis early in the week. Trevor Siemian will be filling in and he’s been looking for his next break since he’s left Denver. At least the Jets will have someone whose started and played a full NFL season instead of some young hanger-on whose been a career backup with a handful of NFL game action throws in his short career. They traded the Patriots for Demaryius Thomas with Quincy Enunwa being lost for the year. Bell will have to be relied upon to carry a big workload since Thomas won’t be up to speed on the playbook. Robby Anderson needs to turn it on to swoop in under the radar if the Jets are looking to steal one in a moment of weakness.
OBJ may have fired up Greg Williams and his defense by calling him out during the week for purposely trying to injure players and he will certainly have a target on his back and even his watch. Given that, Take the Browns to win but the Jets to cover in the over, Browns 27-24.
Necessary Roughness 