New York Jets scouting report: Comprehensive Cleveland Browns breakdown
The depleted New York Jets (0-1) will host the talent-laden Cleveland Browns (0-1) on Monday night. The prime time bout rekindles the 50th anniversary of the first matchup in Monday Night Football history.
Here's everything you need to know about how the Jets fare against the Browns:
Quarterback
Much like Josh Allen last week, Baker Mayfield is another second-year quarterback poised to make the leap in his sophomore campaign.
The 2018 first overall pick played in his first NFL game in Week 3 -- against the Jets -- in relief of an injured Tyrod Taylor. Down 14-0, Mayfield announced his arrival to the football world in the prime time matchup, rallying a previously stagnant Browns offense to their first victory in 19 games.
Mayfield's competitive nature and innate leadership ignited an offense that began to hit its stride towards the end of last season. He finished with 3,725 yards passing, 27 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.
Analysis: If the Jets expect to keep pace with a formidable Browns offense, the defensive line will need to feast against a Cleveland offensive line that just surrendered five sacks against the Tennessee Titans. Defensive tackle Steve McClendon will once again need to push the pocket from the interior to affect throwing lanes for the undersized Mayfield -- or it could be a long night for the Jets secondary.
Running back
The Cleveland running back stable features second-year standout Nick Chubb and seldom-used reserve D'Ernest Johnson.
Already considered to be one of the NFL's premier running backs, Chubb offers a tantalizing blend of speed, power and balance. The 5-foot-11, 227-pound all-purpose weapon can also impact the game as a pass catcher out of the backfield. One of only a few bell cow runners in the league, Chubb rarely comes off the field.
Johnson isn't expected to figure into the game plan.
Analysis: While the Jets managed to keep Frank Gore and the Bills ground game largely under wraps last week, Devin Singletary made an impact as a pass catcher in the latter stages of Sunday's game.
Chubb may not be quite as elusive as Singletary -- but the power runner is plenty nimble and fights for every yard. His patience at the line of scrimmage and balance when working through contact makes him one of the toughest running backs to defend.
With star linebacker C.J. Mosley sidelined for Week 2, Neville Hewitt could be the X-factor.
Wide receivers
The wide receiving corps for the Browns offers a plethora of talent.
First, there's the generational talent Odell Beckham Jr. The two-time All-Pro boasts the blazing speed and nuanced route running to score on any given play. He's proven to be a tough cover for even the league's top cornerbacks.
Jarvis Landry is perhaps the best slot receiver in the business. The 5-foot-11, 196-pound pass catcher is a fearless presence over the middle, attacking the catch point and often absorbing bone jarring hits in the process. While he typically doesn't get his yards in bunches, the veteran knows how to get open and is a dependable first-down machine.
The supremely talented Rashard Higgins rounds out the trio. The 24-year-old breakout candidate lines up opposite Beckham. The 6-foot-1, 198-pounder is best equipped to come down with jump balls, and has become a reliable option between the hash marks.
Analysis: The talented stable of pass catchers for the Browns have the ability to break a game wide open. I expect Mayfield to vertically attack a Jets secondary that just surrendered 123 receiving yards to Buffalo's John Brown. Landry will likely be the difference maker, however, as a steady security blanket over the middle for Mayfield.
Defensive line
The defensive linemen who figure to make the biggest impact on Monday are defensive end Myles Garrett and defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson.
Garrett, 23, made the Pro Bowl last season after notching 13.5 sacks. He already has two sacks on the season and will be facing an offensive line for the Jets that had its struggles with Jerry Hughes and Shaq Lawson a week ago.
Analysis: Whether it's Kelvin Beachum or Brandon Shell, the offensive tackles for the Jets will have their work cut out for them against Garrett and his booked Olivier Vernon. While both ends effectively crash the edges, they tend to rush up the field -- potentially creating running lanes up the middle for Le'Veon Bell.
Linebacker
As highly touted as their defensive line is, Cleveland's linebacking contingent is no slouch, either.
Finally healthy, Christian Kirksey adds fast-flowing tenacity to the second-level of the defense. The 6-foot-2, 235-pound defender provides outstanding coverage acumen from his outside linebacker spot.
Reportedly on the trade block merely months ago, Joe Schobert is the best all-around linebacker for the Browns. Known for his shrewdness and range, the 25-year-old is quick to diagnose plays and pursue to the football. His athleticism enables him to thrive in man or zone coverage.
Analysis: With Trevor Siemian making his first start in over a year, an expected game plan of easy completions over the middle to settle in could be thwarted by the athletic second-level of the Browns. Expect one of the three linebackers to force a turnover on Monday night.
Secondary
A Pro Bowl selection as a rookie, expect Denzel Ward to rebound from an inauspicious start to his second season. With his eye discipline, ball skills and football intelligence, Ward has the makings of a future All-Pro. The 22-year-old will likely draw Robby Anderson in coverage.
The wild card here is 2019 second-round pick Greedy Williams, a player I expect the Jets to actively pick on down the field with veteran Demaryius Thomas. How he holds up under the bright lights of Monday Night Football could go a long way in determining the outcome.
With Damarious Randall now out with a concussion, fourth-year pro Eric Murray will get the start at safety opposite veteran Morgan Burnett.
Analysis: Not known for his deep ball, expect Siemian to look for easier completions on intermediary routes and check downs to Bell and Jamison Crowder -- at least in the early going. One area to exploit, however, would be down the seams, where the aforementioned Burnett and Murray loom. Crowder, Thomas, and tight end Ryan Griffin should have opportunities to take advantage of the safety duo for the Browns.
