Browns Topple Jets in NFL Season Debut

The New York Jets and Cleveland Browns, two teams with a lot to prove entering 2023, took the field on August 3rd for the NFL season debut.

The Hall of Fame game took place in Canton, Ohio, and tickets sold for a whopping average of $228—the highest average for any Hall of Fame game in NFL history.

The game brought star power, including interviews with Hall of Fame inductees Joe Thomas, Demarcus Ware, Zach Thomas, Joe Klecko, Darrelle Revis, and future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers.

While New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers was interviewed, he was also one of many stars that did not play in tonight’s game.

Both teams elected to rest nearly all listed regular season starters, including offensive rookie of the year Garrett Wilson, defensive rookie of the year Sauce Gardner, Browns starting quarterback Deshaun Watson, and all-pro running back Nick Chubb.

Nevertheless, the crowd at Tom Benson Stadium roared at kickoff as it was official, America’s most popular season had started.

The Standouts

Regardless of the outcome, both fanbases were tuning in to see the players vying for a coveted NFL roster spot.

The Browns had standout performances from running backs John Kelly Jr. and Demetris Felton Jr.

Kelly started the game with ten carries and 42 yards. Demetric Felton Jr. followed his performance with 7 carries 46 yards. Meanwhile, Hassan Hall pitched in 5 carries for 34 yards.

Browns fans may have more depth than they realized to replace Kareem Hunt.

Another Browns standout was Dorian Thompson-Robinson. The second-half quarterback went 8/11 for 82 yards and a touchdown while carrying the ball six times for 36 yards.

The Jets Offense did not have the same success.

The team ran for 2.3 yards per carry while throwing under fifty percent.

However, the first-half defense held the Browns to three points.

The keys to the Jets first-half defense were Jamien Sherwood, who had five tackles and a forced fumble; Chazz Surratt, who had four tackles and an interception; and rookie Will McDonald IV had three tackles and a QB hit.

Game Summary

The game’s first drive immediately put the Jets defense on their heels, with Browns running back John Kelley Jr. and quarterback Kellen Mond driving the ball from one 25-yard-line to another in only six plays.

Suddenly the Jets defense awoke, and a tipped pass by second-year defensive end Jermaine Johnson Jr., followed by a sack by Bryce Huff, halted the momentum.

The stop set up a missed 49-yard field goal by Cade York. Leaving the score 0-0.

The Jets continued to seize momentum on their second drive when Zach Wilson threw a dart to Jalen Naylor for 52 yards.

That pass set up Greg “the leg” Zuerlein to make a 54-field goal.

On the next possession, Jets linebacker Jamien Sherwood continued to seize momentum with a forced fumble against Browns wide receiver Anthony Schwartz.

The Jets then looked to Zach Wilson to take a two-score lead with the ball on the Cleveland 31-yard-line.

After two short runs by Israel Abanikanda, Wilson would drop back and throw a tipped ball to go three and out.

Thanks to excellent field position, the Jets still nabbed a 44-yard field goal.

The score was now 6-0, in New York’s favor, heading into the second quarter.

At the end of the first quarter, Wilson was promptly replaced by Tim Boyle. Wilson finished his game 3/5 for 65 yards passing and a 104.2 quarterback rating.

Mond began the second quarter with a three-and-out, and the mistakes continued to pile up on the Browns next offensive possession.

On the next possession, Mond led a one-play interception drive, intercepted by NYJ linebacker Chazz Surratt.

After the interception, Boyle completed consecutive passes to training camp star Jayson Brownlee for 17 yards.

Abanikanda continued to utilize his speed with a 10-yard touchdown run outside near the left pylon.

The Jets now held a two-score lead over the Browns 13-0.

Not to be outplayed in the season opener, the Browns responded with a 17-play, 71-yard touchdown drive.

John Kelley Jr. continued to leave his mark against the Jets defense with four consecutive plays for 17 yards and a touchdown.

Xavier Gipson’s 45-yard return set the Jets up for a 53-yard Field Goal as the half closed out.

It was officially 16-7 New York at halftime in Canton.

Boyle remained at the helm for the Jets in the third quarter, and after hitting running back Travis Dye in the head with the football, the Jets would go three and out and punt.

Meanwhile, the running game would continue to be an issue for the Jets defense.

The Browns subbed in Dorian Thompson Robinson to take over the starting quarterback position.

After one incompletion, Robinson led an 11-play 93-yard touchdown drive.

Running back Demetric Felton and Robinson combined for six rushing plays that resulted in 56 yards.

Two drives into the third quarter, the Browns were only down 16-14.

With Boyle at the helm, the Jets offense seemingly stalled. He finished the third quarter with a turnover on downs, and his night ended 6/11 for 61 yds.

At the beginning of the Fourth quarter, Head Coach Robert Saleh inserted Chris Streveler in at quarterback for the Jets.

Streveler did not get the Jets offense going. Strevler would lead a three-and-out on the first drive of the fourth quarter. And only complete one pass for the rest of the quarter.

Meanwhile, Robinson took the field in charge of his offense, the Jets defense, and the clock.

He led his second touchdown drive for nine plays and 78 yards and took another five minutes off the clock.

With nine minutes left and the Jets down 21-16, Saleh and Strevler still did not answer.

Instead, both teams would have a 6-play drive resulting in punts.

After the Browns matched, Streveler would take the field for one last opportunity to take the lead.

New York had the ball on their 45-yard-line, down 5 points, with 2:18 left on the clock.

Over the next two minutes, Streveler would throw 1/6 for 11 yards, finishing with a 15-yard interception to seal a Browns 21-16 win.