Cleveland Browns: 3 Standouts from Week 2 vs. Jets

On Monday night at MetLife Stadium, the Cleveland Browns knocked off the New York Jets. Who were the stars for Freddie Kitchens’ club?

It was far from a thing of beauty. But after falling by 30 points at home to the Tennessee Titans in their much-anticipated season debut, the Cleveland Browns hit the road to take on a New York Jets’ squad that would be without starting quarterback Sam Darnold. So much for the showdown between the first and third overall picks in the 2018 NFL Draft.

Of course, it was supposed to be the first meeting between the young signal-callers as their respective team’s starters. A year ago on a Thursday night, Baker Mayfield entered a clash with the Jets late in the second quarter with his team behind. And in relief of then-starter Tyrod Taylor, he led the Browns to their first victory after the club had gone winless in their previous 19 games (0-18-1) dating back to Week 16 of the 2016 season.

In any case, the club got new head coach Freddie Kitchens his first victory courtesy of an uneven 23-3 triumph. Mayfield was erratic but somehow managed to throw for 325 yards, 89 of those on scoring connection to Odell Beckham Jr. He hit on just 19 of his 35 throws, served up on interception and was sacked three times.

Meanwhile, Cleveland’s defense spent the evening beating up Jets’ quarterbacks Trevor Siemian and eventually Luke Falk. Each was sacked twice and the former was knocked out of the game on an awkward tackle by Myles Garrett. Coordinator Steve Wilks’ unit limited New York to 262 total yards.

Kitchens’ club evened its record to 1-1. So who stood out for the Browns in the 20-point win?