New York Jets: Report card vs. Cleveland Browns in Week 2

The New York Jets fell to 0-2 on the 2019 campaign with a 23-3 setback to the Cleveland Browns. Here is Gang Green’s dismal report card.

This one got ugly fast. The New York Jets slipped to 0-2 on the season with a depressing 23-3 loss to the Cleveland Browns Monday night at MetLife Stadium. How bad has it gotten for Gang Green?

Not only is Sam Darnold out for an unspecified time with mononucleosis, backup signal-caller Trevor Siemian left the game in the first half with an ankle injury after getting plowed by Myles Garrett. What else can go wrong?

Luke Falk is the new starter for the Jets for the time being and that doesn’t bode well for this Sunday’s contest in New England. Yikes — what are the Patriots going to be, 21-point favorites perhaps? This season is over for Gang Green already. Sad but true.

Anyway, on to another bleak report card.

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Offense

I actually feel sorry for Le’Veon Bell. The three-time Pro Bowl has a world of talent but he is stuck with this awful club. Well, at least he got his money ($52.5 million). Let’s face it, the Jets had no chance in this mismatch. Bell did what he could (129 yards from scrimmage) but New York’s offense mustered a paltry 139 yards through three quarters.

Falk was respectable (20-of-25, 198 yards) and played the role of game manager effectively. Not bad for a former sixth-round pick (by Tennessee in 2018) who was on New York’s practice squad earlier in the day. After 14 receptions in the season opener, Jamison Crowder had a very quiet night (four catches for 40 yards). Robby Anderson (4-81) paced the Jets air attack (if you can call it that) but he’s yet to find the end zone this season.

Bell also coughed up the ball in the fourth quarter when the Jets were driving into the red zone but the game was already over. The Browns recorded four sacks (three by Garrett) as Gang Green’s offensive line is going to continue to be an issue all year long.

Grade: F

Defense

The Jets did a pretty good job of containing Odell Beckham Jr. until the diva wide receiver made the play of the night in the third quarter with a dazzling 89-yard catch and run for a touchdown. OBJ ran a slant pattern against a soft Jets zone and outraced several Jets defenders to blow the game open at 23-3.

When all was said and done, OBJ finished with six receptions for 161 yards and a touchdown in his return to MetLife Stadium.

Baker Mayfield completed just over 50 percent of his passes (19-of-35, 325 yards, one touchdown, one interception) as New York’s defense played hard — at least the effort was there. The Jets did a fairly decent job containing Nick Chubb (18 carries for 62 yards, one touchdown) and they sacked Mayfield three times.

Linebacker Jordan Jenkins, one of the few players that can mount a pass rush, had to leave the game with a calf injury. C.J. Mosley (groin) and Quinnen Williams (ankle) did not suit up as the injuries continue to mount for Gang Green. Time to call the cavalry.

Grade: C-

Special Teams

Have the Jets finally found their field goal kicker? Well, who knows for sure but Sam Ficken did drill a 46-yard field goal to keep the green and white from being blanked. Thank heaven for small favors.

Trenton “Shot out of a” Cannon averaged 16.7 yards on three kickoff returns (not great). Punter Lachlan Edwards had a busy night, averaging 47.0 yards on seven boots. Get ready Lachlan — you’ll be very busy the rest of this disastrous season.

Grade: C