WATCH: Top 3 matchups that will decide Jets-Browns
The NFL Week 2 MNF matchup features two young teams in the New York Jets and Cleveland Browns, both of whom enter with 0-1 records. This makes the game even more important as neither wants to start the season 0-2.
According to Odds Shark, since 2007, 91 teams have started 0-2. Only 10 (10.9 percent) of them turned it around to make the playoffs.
Let’s take a look at three matchups I consider to be the most crucial to the outcome of the game.
1. Myles Garrett vs. Kelvin Beachum
The former No. 1 overall pick is one of the best young pass rushers in the NFL. According to PFF, in 2018 he was tied for seventh in total pressures by edge defenders with 67 and registered an 86.2 pass rush grade. The pass rush grade was sixth among edge defenders, respectively. It will be interesting to see how the Jets offensive tackles, in particular, Beachum will hold up against Garrett.
2. Jets cornerbacks vs. Browns wide receivers
For Week 1, the highest coverage grade a Jets cornerback (Brian Poole) registered was a 61.2, which would be considered average by PFF. The Jets cornerbacks will definitely be tested by the Browns wide receivers, especially Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry. Even though, the Browns duo had limited production in Week 1 vs the Titans, the Jets cornerbacks are not as good as the Titans cornerbacks. Expect the Jets to play a lot of coverages that will give their cornerbacks help in pass coverage with safeties and linebackers.
3. Jets front seven vs. Browns offensive line
Edge rusher is arguably the biggest need for the Jets on their defense. Especially, since they recently released rookie Jachai Polite. The weakness of the Browns offensive line is their offensive tackles. The Browns gave up 5 sacks in their Week 1 matchup vs. the Titans, two of which starting RT Chris Hubbard was responsible for. Leonard Williams will lead the front seven for the Jets versus Joel Bitonio and the Browns front line, which will be a pretty even matchup.
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There are a lot of matchups to look forward to in the game and the game looks to be exciting, even though Sam Darnold will not be under center. What do you guys think about the list? Which matchup do you think will determine the outcome of the game? As always thanks for taking the time to read my thoughts and all feedback is welcomed.
Special thanks to PFF for supplying the data for this.
