On Sunday, the New York Jets took on the Cleveland Browns at MetLife Stadium in their final home game of 2020. This was the second time that the No. 1 pick in Baker Mayfield and the No. 3 pick in Sam Darnold have faced off since 2018. With the 23-16 victory by the Green and White today, the Jets finally were able to win a home game, beat Baker Mayfield, and cement Rich Kotite’s place in the Jets Hall of Infamy. However, this just sealed the deal that the Jacksonville Jaguars get the No. 1 pick in the draft come April. The Jets can get no lower than No. 2 after Cincinatti beat Pittsburgh 24-17 last Monday night. In addition, this was a damaging blow to the Browns playoff chances as they will need to take care of business next week. This win was eerily similar to the Jets beating the Steelers 16-10 in their home finale last year and hurting their playoff chances. There were reports that HC Adam Gase would be fired as soon as the following morning if the Jets lost to a team that was down 4 wide receivers. It appears though that the decision has already been made in that Gase will be fired as soon as the final seconds tick away next week.
In terms of the offense, they were able to back up last week’s performance with yet another. QB Sam Darnold completed 16 of 32 passes for 175 yards, 2 touchdowns, and no interceptions. It has been three consecutive weeks that Darnold has not thrown an interception. Also, the Jets offense was successful at creating some trickery as WR Jamison Crowder hooked up with fellow WR Braxton Berrios for a 44-yard touchdown reception and the Jets first score of the day. Another key to this game was OT Mekhi Becton being able to limit the Cleveland pass rush and allow Darnold time in the pocket to locate his receivers and not take bad sacks, shortening drives. It was very important that the offense did not face too many 3rd and longs as well.
In terms of the defense, they too had a great game. It was not perfect but they did the job to win the game. They forced 3 fumbles off of Baker Mayfield and recovered two of them. Roughing the passer penalties continue to be a problem for the defense as they lead the league with them. The biggest play was forcing Mayfield to fumble the ball on a 4th and 1. Browns RB Kareem Hunt recovered the fumble but the Browns turned the football over on downs because it was somebody other than the fumbler that recovered. The Jets then were able to kneel down and pick up their second victory of the 2020 season.
This week, the Jets will travel to Foxboro to take on the New England Patriots in a rematch. The Jets lost a heartbreaker to them back in Week 9 on Monday Night 30-27. The Patriots too are eliminated from the playoffs so they too will have nothing to play for. This could be the Jets opportunity to finally beat the Patriots since December 2015. They have not won a regular season game in Foxboro since November 2008. Get excited Jets fans...you likely only have one more week of Gase and a chance to beat the Patriots for the first time in 5 years. J-E-T-S, JETS, JETS, JETS!!!
-Jack Henry Cicio
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