It’s crazy to think we are almost 20% of the way through the season already! This week’s edition brings us the New York Jets visiting the Cleveland Browns. This is an intriguing match up between two teams who have thus far exceeded early expectations in completely different ways and look to continue building upon it this Thursday night. The Jets were tagged by many to be a candidate to go 0-16 this year and rival the quality of the 2008 Lions or 2017 Browns. However, in two games this season, the Jets sit at 1-1 including one ass whooping of the Detroit Lions and a contested match up against the Dolphins that saw the learning curve for a rookie QB. In both games, the Jets have shown they can compete on the gridiron, and early season predictions were far from the truth. On the other side, we have a Browns team searching for its first win after finding a way to give away the first two games. The first game ended in a tie with the Pittsburgh Steelers in which many “experts” predicted the Browns would lose. In game 2, it took two missed extra points and 2 missed field goals, but the Browns figured out how to lose against in New Orleans in OT to the Saints. This match up has the makings for both an exciting or ugly slow match up between two teams pretty evenly matched (especially if it ends up being a rain game). Now let’s take a look at 10 facts heading into the game:
Fact 1 : The New York Jets are a top 5 defense in the NFL this season. The Browns are a bottom 10 offense
Fact 2 : The Cleveland Browns defense has forced 8 turnovers. Even with 2 TO’s themselves, Their +6 turnover margin leads the NFL by 3 turnovers and is 3x the Jets
Fact 3 : The Browns are one of the most penalized teams, racking up 29 in the first two games of the season
Fact 4 : The Jets have turned the ball over on 17% of their drives this season.
Fact 5: The Jets on the other hand have forced turnovers on 27% of their opponents drives vs 26% by the Browns.
Fact 6 : Tyrod Taylor has stabilized Cleveland’s turnovers as they’ve only turned the ball over on 6.5% of their drives.
Fact 7 : The Browns have 3 DB’s listed on their injury report with 2 unlikely to play on top of WLB Kirksley. Darnold may be able to take advantage of their injured defense.
Fact 8 : The New York Jets could be missing both parts of the left side of their line with James Carpenter & Kelvin Beachum listed as questionable
Fact 9 : Myles Garrett will be an All-Pro in the next 2 years
Fact 10 : The Browns play better at home with over half their games being decided by 3 points or OT dating back to last season including 1 against the Jets.
Game Line : New York Jets +3 (Even)
Over/Under : 39.5 (-110)
Location : Dog Pound
Sniper’s Bets Record : 1-1
– Wk 1 O/U 44.5 – Win
– Wk 2 O/U 44 – Loss
Sniper Shot : I’d like this more with the Browns -2.5. Browns defense is banged up on the back end and struggled against the pass. The Jets have underrated receivers who will give the Browns problems. However, Tyrod will play way better at home, and continue to manage the ball security. Jets struggle there and it ends up being their undoing. Browns win 25 – 20 and get their first win of the season.
-Sniper
The Other Side Sports 