The New York Jets are about to start life without Rex Ryan. In lieu of Ryan, the Jets hired Todd Bowles, who is tasked to transforming the Jets into a force in the AFC East once again. The Jets’ first test of the season comes at home, where they’ll host the Cleveland Browns. The Browns will ease in a brand new signal-caller in Josh McCown, who’ll have to prove that Mike Pettine right in choosing him to become the team’s starter. Read on for more about this matchup.
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[sc:Football ]Cleveland Browns vs. New York Jets Betting Preview and Prediction
Where: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford
When: Sunday, September 13, 1:00 PM ET
Line: Cleveland Browns (+3) vs. New York Jets (-3); total: 40.5 – see all NFL lines
TV Broadcast: CBS
Betting on the Cleveland Browns
[sc:NFL240banner ]Another season, another starting quarterback. That’s the all-too-familiar story for the long-suffering Cleveland franchise, which is about to open its season on the road. The Browns are 4-1 ATS in their last five regular season games.
Whether it is Johnny Manziel or Josh McCown under center in Week 1 for Cleveland, there’s a stiff challenge awaiting that quarterback against the retooled Jets defense. McCown seems to have the starting gig in the bag, as Mike Pettine’s stance of starting the former Tampa Bay signal-caller remains unchanged despite a solid preseason by Manziel. The Browns, however, are obviously lacking in talent and depth in the passing game with guys like Brian Hartline and Dwayne Bowe considered as the team’s top receivers.
Hartline only had 474 receiving yards and two touchdowns last season for Miami, while Bowe caught 754 yards with no touchdowns as part of that inept Kansas City receiving corps in 2014. At least McCown will be afforded of a solid protection with Joe Thomas and Alex Mack anchoring the offensive line.
Cleveland’s backfield, meanwhile, projects to be better with the likes of Isaiah Crowell, Terrance West, and rookie Duke Johnson sharing the rushing load. Crowell and West combined for 1,280 rushing yards and 12 rushing scores in 2014. Johnson, on the other hand, possesses a potential to become a vital cog in the Browns’ offense after recording 1,652 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns for the Miami Hurricanes last year.
In any case, the Browns’ defense will have to show up and force New York to commit turnovers. Cleveland’s secondary is going to be a key in containing the Jets’ receivers, Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker. That falls on the shoulders of Joe Haden and new acquisition Tramon Williams. Last season, the Browns were second in the league with 21 interceptions.
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Betting on the New York Jets
Ryan Fitzpatrick originally didn’t see himself starting in Week 1 for the Jets when he was traded from Houston last March. But because of one ugly scene during the offseason that left quarterback Geno Smith with a broken jaw, Fitzpatrick will have to handle starting duties for now. And he’ll have to make his debut in Jets uniform at MetLife Stadium, where New York is 3-0 ATS in its last three regular season games.
Fitzpatrick will be the first Jets quarterback to utilize the team’s new-look down field that features former Bears wideout Brandon Marshall. Acquired as a free agent over the offseason, Marshall should give some much-needed oomph to the Jets’ passing attack that was a wasteland last year, when New York averaged a league-worst 184.1 passing yards per game. Marshall is looking to have a bounce-back season after recording just 721 yards and eight touchdowns for Chicago in 2014.
Against Cleveland’s highly rated secondary though, Fitzpatrick might have to trade a few throws for handoffs to Chris Ivory and the rest of the Jets’ backfield. Ivory paced the team last year with 821 rushing yards and six touchdowns. Overall, the Jets put up 142.5 yards on the ground per game, third best in the NFL.
Like the Browns, New York’s defense against the pass is expected to be one of the best in the business. While Cleveland doesn’t have a decent set of players in their passing game, having a Pro Bowl cornerback combo of Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie lurking down field should further discourage McCown from testing his chemistry with the Browns’ receiving corps.
Should Cleveland turn to its running game, the Browns will be met with New York’s front seven that allowed just 93.1 rushing yards per game last season. That said, the Jets would be missing the presence of defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson in Week 1 due to suspension. Richardson topped the team in 2014 with 8.0 sacks.
Writer’s Prediction
New York (-3) wins, 17-13.
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