Cleveland Browns: 5 Bold predictions for Week 3 vs. Jets

The Cleveland Browns are still searching for their first win, and they just might find it on Thursday Night Football in Week 3 taking on the New York Jets.

The Cleveland Browns are favored in an actual NFL regular season game. That, in itself, is pretty much making history, or at least making recent history given the futility of the Browns in recent years. However, with the arrival of new general manager John Dorsey and the talent infusion that he has put into the roster, things are turning around. Thus, the Browns are favored at home by three points against the New York Jets on Thursday Night Football in Week 3.

Of course, since it’s Cleveland, they already have accrued some baggage in 2018 through the first two weeks of the season. They first went out and tied with the rival Pittsburgh Steelers thanks to a largely anemic offensive performance as the defense played almost at the peak of their abilities. If that weren’t enough, they then missed multiple field goals and extra points that would have secured a victory (or likely would have) against the New Orleans Saints last week, ultimately taking a tough loss.

As the favorites for their Week 3 matchup, however, hopes are high that Thursday is when the Browns will start to turn things around officially. By officially, I of course mean that they will start winning regular season games.

In that light, let’s delve into five bold predictions for the Cleveland Browns against the Jets on Thursday night.

5. No missed field goals or extra points

In most cases, this wouldn’t exactly qualify as a bold prediction. However, after what happened with Zane Gonzalez last week, this is actually something huge for the Browns. Though it wasn’t the whole reason for the loss to New Orleans, had Gonzalez been able to convert on more than two of his four field goal attempts or on a critical extra point, they could very well have won.

Instead, Gonzalez has now been released and rookie Greg Joseph has been brought in. During the preseason, Joseph acquitted himself well while playing with the Miami Dolphins. He converted on all three field goal attempts that he was given, doing so from distances that ranged from 33-54 yards. What’s more, he nailed both extra point opportunities that he was given during the team’s Week 4 preseason matchup.

Now in Cleveland, I expect Joseph to make up for the sins of Gonzalez. I don’t think the Browns lose this game regardless (more on that coming). But if they were to suffer defeat again, it won’t be because of kicking woes once again.