Cleveland Browns vs. New York Jets -- Live Game Thread
The Cleveland Browns (10-4) travel to East Rutherford, NJ for the second straight week as the matchup against the New York Jets (1-13). The Browns are in a prime position to clinch a playoff berth with a win this afternoon. Although a win keeps the Browns playoff hopes high they will still need help to clinch this week.
Speaking of help the Browns will need plenty of it as the team is missing numerous starters on the offense. Four of their top wide receivers were placed on the reserve/COVID list after being deemed as high risk contacts. They will also be without two linebackers in their lineup due to reserve/COVID protocols.
Luckily for the Browns they are playing the New York Jets who are focused improving their draft position if possible. After beating the Los Angeles Rams the Jets earned their first win of the season but lost the number one overall pick in next year's draft. Yet, given that players try every week to win the Browns have to take this matchup seriously especially with so many starters missing in the lineup.
Check this article throughout the game for live updates and commentary.
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First Quarter
The Cleveland Browns receive the kickoff to start the game.
1st & 10, Browns start the drive with a handoff to Nick Chubb for a 5 yard gain.
3rd & 5, Mayfield back to pass surveying the field checks down to Kareem Hunt and the ball is dropped.
4th & 5, Gillan is on to punt and the kick is returned by Braxton Berrios.
1st & 10, Darnold back to pass and the pass is broken up by Terrance Mitchell.
2nd & 10, Darnold in the shotgun takes a deep shot down the far sideline to Breshad Perriman and the pass is broken up at the last minute by Denzel Ward.
3rd & 10, Darnold back to pass and scrambles out the pocket for a 6 yard gain.
4th & 4, Braden Mann on to punt and the ball is returned D'Ernest Johnson.
1st & 10, Nick Chubb takes the handoff and is met immediately in the backfield and tackled for a loss.
2nd & 12, Mayfield in the shotgun empty backfield and throws it over the deep middle to Austin Hooper for a first down.
1st & 10, Mayfield fakes the handoff targeting Harrison Bryant the pass is broken up.
2nd & 10, Mayfield to pass throws a quick out to Austin Hooper for a 7 yard gain.
3rd & 3, Mayfield rolls to his right and reverses field finding Hooper in the opposite flat for 5 yards.
1st & 10, Nick Chubb takes the handoff is tackled for a one yard gain.
3rd & 9, Baker Mayfield flagged for false start.
3rd & 14, Mayfield back to pass targeting Harrison Bryant and the pass is off target incomplete.
4th & 14, Cody Parkey attempts a 44-yard field goal and it is good.
Browns 3 - Jets 0
1st & 10, Frank Gore takes the handoff and is tackled by Sheldon Richardson for one yard run.
2nd & 9, Gore gets back-to-back carries and is tackled barely making it back to the line of scrimmage.
3rd & 9, Darnold back to pass checks down to Daniel Brown in the flat running for a first down after breaking a tackle.
1st & 10, Darnold throws a quick screen to Braxton Berrios for a 17 yard pickup.
2nd & 10, Gore gets another carry and runs forward for a quick 6 yards.
3rd & 4, Darnold back to pass and is sacked by Myles Garrett with interior pressure from Adrian Clayborn.
4th & 13, Braden Mann on to punt and pins the Browns on the 12 yard line with a 37 yard punt.
1st & 10, Chubb takes the handoff is met in the backfield and fights forward for 2 yards.
2nd & 8, Chubb gets a delayed handoff and continues to get stuffed losing one yard.
3rd & 9, Mayfield back to pass connects with Ja'Marcus Bradley for 5 yards.
4th & 4, Gillan on to punt and the Jets will start their drive on their own 34 yard line.
The Browns have went three and out on two of three drives. The running concepts seem quite stale and needs to be more creative or more intentional. Defense thus far are keeping everything in front and making plays in coverage.
1st & 10, Sam Darnold off playaction bootlegs out and dumps it to Jamison Crowder for a 9 yard gain.
2nd & 1, Darnold handsoff to LaMychal Perine for a 3 yard first down.
1st & 10, Darnold throws a quick out to Jamison Crowder for a 9 yard gain.
2nd & 1, LaMychal Perine takes another short carry for two yards for a first down.
1st & 10, Jamison Crowder takes a reverse jet pass throwing it deep to Braxton Berrios on a wheel route for a 43 yard touchdown.
Jets 7 - Browns 3
1st & 10, Mayfield off playaction throws quickly to Harrison Bryant for a 13 yard pickup.
Second Quarter
1st & 10, Mayfield back to pass and the ball stripped out of Mayfield's hands and the fumble is recovered by the Jets.
1st & 10, Jamison Crowder takes a jet sweep and runs for 13 yards.
1st & 10, Frank Gore gets a handoff and runs for a 5 yard gain.
3rd & 5, Darnold drops back and finds Chris Herndon wide open in the endzone for a 11 yard touchdown.
The extra point is blocked.
Jets 13 - Browns 3
The offense is playing slow and the Jets have more energy on both sides of the ball. The Browns need to pickup the energy to change the game around.
1st & 10, Chubb takes the carry and is tackled again for no gain.
2nd & 10, Mayfield off playaction connects with Harrison Bryant for a 15 yard gain.
1st & 10, Chubb gets a carry bouncing it outside and is tackled quickly for one yard.
2nd & 9, Mayfield checks down to Nick Chubb who makes a defender miss for a 8 yard catch and run.
3rd & 1, Chubb takes the handoff and powers forward for a new set of downs.
1st & 10, Jets flagged for roughing the passer. 15 yard penalty.
1st & 10, Kareem Hunt gets his first carry and is tackled for a two yard loss.
2nd & 12, Mayfield back to pass and is sacked by John Franklin-Meyers for a 9 yard loss.
3rd & 21, Mayfield targeting Austin Hooper and the ball is dropped.
4th & 21, Gillan on to punt and pins the Jets on the 9 yard line.
The Browns have only THREE rushing yards through two quarters. Kevin Stefanski's playcalling is very stale and the offense is struggling to build any momentum.
1st & 10, Darnold back to pass the and scrambles out the pocket and runs over Malcolm Smith for a first down.
1st & 10, Darnold drops back and is the ball is potentially stripped by Myles Garrett and recovered by Malcolm Smith. The refs blow the play dead for incomplete pass.
Kevin Stefanski throws the challenge flag about the play being ruled incomplete as it looks to be a strip sack and fumble. The call stands being incomplete.
2nd & 10, Darnold back to pass finding a receiver for a quick 5 yards.
3rd & 5, Darnold throws to Jamison Crowder for a 13 yard catch and run.
1st & 10, Frank Gore takes the carry and picks up 7 yards.
2nd & 3, Gore gets back-to-back carry and fights for a hard 2 yards.
3rd & 1, Darnold fakes the handoff and is pressured quickly by Malcolm Smith and throws the ball away,
4th & 1, Braden Mann on to punt and the ball is fair caught on the 9 yard line.
Five minutes left in the half and the Browns need to score before entering halftime.
1st & 10, Mayfield finds David Njoku over the middle for a 7 yard gain.
2nd & 3, Mayfield throws another short hitch to Njoku for a 4 yard first down.
1st & 10, Nick Chubb takes a carry and met in the backfield limited to a one yard gain.
2nd & 9, Mayfield back to pass and is sacked again for the third time.
3rd & 19, Mayfield checks down to Kareem Hunt and the pass is dropped.
4th & 19, Gillan on to punt and punts it 38 yard to the Browns 49 yard line.
1st & 10, Ty Johnson takes his first carry of the game gaining 6 yards.
Two minute warning.
2nd & 4, Darnold drops back and scrambles for a first down.
1st & 10, Darnold back to pass and is sacked by Olivier Vernon for a 7 yard loss.
2nd & 17, Jets Mehki Becton flagged for false start.
3rd & 22, Ty Johnson takes the carry and runs for a 7 yard pickup.
4th & 15, Braden Mann on to punt and the ball goes out at the 30 yard line.
1st & 10, Mayfield throws underneath to Kareem Hunt for 8 yards.
2nd & 2, Mayfield back to pass targeting Marvin Hall but the pass is too low and incomplete.
3rd & 2, Mayfield throws a pass to Austin Hooper for a nine yard gain and rush back to line to spike the ball.
1st & 10, Mayfield back to pass and connects with Harrison Bryant on a deep out for a 10 yard gain. Browns rush to spike the ball to stop clock.
2nd & 10, Mayfield drops back targeting Hooper and the pass is too high.
3rd & 10, Jamie Gillan attempts a 61 yard field goal and the kick is short. Returned by Braxton Berrios for a short return.
Jets 13 - Browns 3
Halftime
Third Quarter
1st & 10, Frank Gore takes a carry and gains a short two yards.
2nd & 8, Darnold off playaction throws a tight pass to Chris Herndon for a 9 yard pick up.
1st & 10, Frank Gore gets the carry and runs for 5 yards.
2nd & 5, Darnold back to pass scrambles out of bounds avoiding pressure for no gain.
3rd & 5, Darnold throws underneath for Jamison Crowder for a 23 yard catch and run.
1st & 10, Breshad Perriman takes the end around and runs for a 6 yard gain.
2nd & 4, Gore takes a carry and tackled in the backfield for a two yard loss.
3rd & 6, Darnold back to pass finds an open Jamison Crowder for a 30 yard touchdown on a blown coverage.
Jets 20 - Browns 3
1st & 10, Chubb gets a carry and is stuffed on the run. Browns flagged for illegal chop block.
1st & 21, Mayfield dumps pass to Chubb underneath for a short gain.
2nd & 19, Mayfield back to pass finds Marvin Hall for a 14 yard gain.
3rd & 5, Mayfield targeting Austin Hooper the pass is too high through the hands of Austin Hooper.
4th & 10, Gillan on to punt for 53 yards and 12 yard by Berrios.
1st & 10, Darnold throws a RB screen to Perine for a 14 yard gain.
1st & 10, Darnold off playaction takes a deep shot and it just out of the reach of Breshad Perriman.
2nd & 10, Perrine takes the carry and is tackled in the backfield for a loss.
3rd & 11, Darnold back to pass and throws the ball away.
4th & 11, Braden Mann on to punt and Jovante Moffatt is flagged for roughing the kicker and automatic first down.
1st & 10, Darnold back to pass targeting Perine on a RB wheel and the pass is incomplete.
2nd & 10, Frank Gore takes a carry for a 3 yard gain.
3rd & 7, Darnold back to pass targeting Jameson Crowder and the pass is broken up by Andrew Sendejo.
4th & 7, Jets Ficken on to kick and the field goal attempt is blocked by Sheldon Richardson.
1st & 10, Mayfield back to pass finding Ja'Marcus Bradley for a 5 yard gain.
2nd & 5, Mayfield dumps a RB screen to Nick Chubb for a 16 yard catch and run.
2nd & 10, Mayfield back to pass connects with JaMarcus Bradley for a 26 yard pickup on the near sideline.
2nd & 10, Kareem Hunt takes the screen pass for a nine yard gain.
3rd & 1, Mayfield qb sneaks for a 4 yard pickup.
1st & Goal, Mayfield lobs a fade to Austin Hooper and the ball is knocked out on the way down.
2nd & Goal, Jets flagged for too many men on the field.
2nd & Goal, Nick Chubb punches the ball into the endzone for a one yard touchdown run.
Jets 20 - Browns 10
1st & 10, Darnold back to pass connecting with Chris Herndon for a 5 yard gain.
2nd & 4, Frank Gore gets a carry rushing for a 4 yard pickup.
3rd & 1, Darnold to pass and is blitz quickly and the pass to Perriman is incomplete.
4th & 1, Braden Mann on to punt with a 40 yard punt.
1st & 10, Mayfield back to pass finds David Njoku for an 11 yard gain.
1st & 10, Browns hurry to the line and connects with JaMarcus Bradley on an 8 yard out.
2nd & 2, Nick Chubb takes the carry and runs for a 5 yard gain for a first down.
2nd & 10, Mayfield back to pass finding Bradley for a 17 yard reception to end the third quarter.
1st & 10, Nick Chubb takes the carry bouncing it outside for 16 yards his longest run of the day.
2nd & 10, Mayfield back to pass targets Bradley on the far sideline and against tight coverage the pass is incomplete.
3rd & 10, Mayfield to pass targeting Marvin Hall and Blessuan Austin is flagged for defensive pass interference.
1st & 10, Mayfield checks down to Nick Chubb for a short three yard gain.
2nd & 7, Kareem Hunt gets a carry and shuffles around for a 6 yard run.
3rd & 1, Mayfield keeps the ball on a QB sneak for another first down.
1st & Goal, Kareem Hunt takes a carry and punches in a 4 yard touchdown.
Cody Parkey doinks the extra point off the left upright.
Jets 20 - Browns 16
1st & 10, Darnold throws a quick pass to Frank Gore for a 2 yard gain.
2nd & 8, Frank Gore takes the carry for 3 yard and is tackled hard by Karl Joseph.
3rd & 5, Jets quickly to the line Darnold throws underneath to Frank Gore for a first down.
1st & 10, Gore gets the handoff and rushes for 7 yards.
2nd & 3, Perine takes the carry and rushes for a first down.
The Jets have 61 more rushing yards than the Browns. The Browns rushing offense has been putrid for the most part.
1st & 10, Perine takes the handoff and run for a 6 yard gain.
2nd & 9, Frank Gore takes a carry and runs for a 4 yard gain.
3rd & 5, Darnold throws a quick flat route to Braxton Berrios and Andrew Sendejo makes a stout open field tackle for no gain.
4th & 5, Braden Mann on to punt with a short return by D'Ernest Johnson.
1st & 10, Mayfield checks down to Nick Chubb for a 7 yard gain.
2nd & 3, Mayfield back to pass and the Jets are flagged for roughing the passer.
2nd & 10, Mayfield checks down to Nick Chubb for a short gain and Ja'Marcus Bradley flagged for block in the back.
2nd & 20, Mayfield's pass is batted down at the line by John Franklin-Meyers.
3rd & 20, Mayfield targeting Austin Hooper and the pass is broken up by Neville Hewitt.
2nd & 9, Darnold back to pass targeting Perriman and the interception by Denzel Ward is dropped while diving.
3rd & 9, Darnold drops back connecting with Chris Herndon for a 11 yard gain.
1st & 10, LaMychal Perine takes the carry rushing for 4 yards.
3rd & 6, Darnold takes a shot down the near sideline and the pass to Denzel Mims is broken up by Denzel Ward.
4th & 6, Braden Mann on to punt pinning the Browns in 15 yard line.
2nd & 10, David Njoku takes a short hitch for a 4 yard gain.
3rd & 6, Mayfield back to pass moving around the pocket and the ball is stripped and recovered by the Jets.
1st & 10, LaMychal Perine gets a carry and runs it for a short 2 yards.
2nd & 8, Perine takes a toss to the near sideline and gains 4 yards.
3rd & 4, Darnold back to pass and is pressured by Myles Garrett forcing ball to be thrown away.
4th & 9, Ficken 34-yard field goal attempt is good.
If the Browns score an extra point will only tie the game. The missed extra point by Parkey is looming large.
Jets 23 - Browns 16
The Jets kickoff goes out of bounds and the Browns start at the 40 yard line.
1st & 10, Mayfield dumps a RB screen to Kareem Hunt for a 24 yard catch and run.
1st & 10, Mayfield throws a pass to Harrison Bryant and it is dropped.
2nd & 10, Mayfield targeting JaMarcus Bradley on the near sideline is the catch is broken up.
3rd & 10, Mayfield connects with Austin Hooper for a nine yard gain short of the first down.
4th & 1, Mayfield fumbles the ball on the QB sneak and being recovered by Kareem Hunt can't advanced turnover on downs.
The Jets kneel out the clock to end the game.
Following the loss the Browns fall down to the 7th seed and in a must-win situation heading into week 17.
