The Cleveland Browns and New York Jets will celebrate the anniversary of the debut of Monday Night Football when they square off again this Monday, but both teams more likely are focused on forgetting what happened one week ago. The Browns flopped badly amid soaring expectations in their season opener and will look to get back on track when they visit the Jets in a prime-time matchup.
ABOUT THE BROWNS (0-1): Cleveland actually trailed by only two in the waning minutes of the third quarter before surrendering 28 unanswered points to the Titans, capping a disastrous performance in which they committed a staggering 18 penalties for 182 yards. Beckham, acquired from the New York Giants in the offseason, had seven receptions for 71 yards in his much-ballyhooed Browns debut while Mayfield struggled mightily, throwing for 285 yards and a touchdown but tossing three interceptions while absorbing five sacks. While Nick Chubb gained 75 yards on 17 carries, Cleveland allowed 123 yards rushing to Tennessee.
ABOUT THE JETS (0-1): Much of the team’s optimism was based on the expected progress of Darnold, but his illness paves the way for Trevor Siemian to make his first start since 2017 with Denver. It continued a dismal week for the Jets, who saw linebacker C.J. Mosley exit the season opener with a groin injury and wide receiver Quincy Enunwa (neck) placed on season-ending injured reserve. The one positive for the club was that an MRI exam showed no structural damage in the shoulder of Le’Veon Bell, who accounted for 92 total yards and a touchdown in his Jets debut. Williams waved off the accusations by Beckham, telling reporters: “Odell who?”
The Pick: Jets +7
Prediction: Browns 20 Jets 17
Ken Barnes is coming off another big Performance this Week going 5-1 in College Football Saturday and 3-2-1 in the NFL Sunday! That’s 8-2-1 on the weekend and now 34-15-2 overall 69.4% this Season!
