The Jets travel to Cleveland to take on the Browns on Thursday night football in what has the makings of a disappointing evening for Jets fans. If not for some missed field goals, the Browns would be sitting at 2-0 with a pair of wins over future Hall of Fame quarterbacks Ben Roethlisberger and Drew Brees. There are some areas where the two teams match up well, but a few key spots where the Jets could be vulnerable. Here are some of our top head-to-head match-ups.
LG James Carpenter vs DL’s Larry Ogunjobi and Myles Garrett:
Carpenter struggled mightily against the Dolphins on Sunday, allowing several quarterback pressures that kept Sam Darnold on the run. Ogunjobi has been a force in the middle for the Browns where he’s already registered three sacks in the early going while Garrett is one of the game’s better young pass rushers.
DL Leonard Williams vs LG Joel Bitonio:
After picking up 10 sacks over the course of his first two seasons as a pro. Leonard Williams has logged just two sacks in his last 18 games. Bitonio is a quality interior pass blocker and will likely see his share of Williams on Sunday. The Jets need consistent pressure to come from somewhere and if Williams has any hope of earning a big extension in the not so distant future, he’ll have to start making impact plays against quality linemen.
TE Chris Herndon vs S Derrick Kindred:
Herndon made some key errors for the Jets on Sunday but he’ll still likely get some chances to make a play or two against the Browns. Kindred is the type of player Herndon should be able to make some plays against should the opportunity present itself.
WR Quincy Enunwa vs CB Denzel Ward:
Ward, a first round pick out of Ohio State, has looked very impressive in coverage through his first two games while Enunwa has emerged as Sam Darnold’s top target. The two should make for an interesting match-up.
S Jamal Adams vs TE David Njoku:
Njoku got the better of Adams last season and he’ll be the best tight end the Jets have faced so far. After giving up several big scores to opposing tight ends last season, Adams will look to tighten things up against a big-bodied athletic target such as Njoku. If Adams can limit Njoku’s production, it will be a big step in the right direction. Should he struggle to keep him in check, questions about his ability to cover will surface once again.
CB Buster Skrine vs Jarvis Landry:
Landry can give opposing defenses fits with his great hands, agility and route running. If the Browns can get him isolated on Skrine from time to time, look for Taylor to look his way for some big plays.
Kickoff is 8:20 tonight, Jets fans. Here’s to hoping Browns fans will have to wait one more week for their first win since Christmas eve of 2016,
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