Hi Browns fans! After missing a week to play father of the bride for my daughter’s wedding, I’m back in action. This week, the Browns head to MetLife Stadium to take on the New York Jets.
Game time is set for noon, and as usual, the ChicagoLand Browns Backers/Northside Dawg Pound will meet up at Burke’s Public House to root the Browns on to victory.
Two Teams Heading in Opposite Directions
Sunday’s matchup features two AFC squads trending different ways early in the year. The Browns sit at 3-1 in the AFC North, winning three straight after a tough 34-10 loss to Jacksonville in Week 1.
Meanwhile, the Jets sit at 1-3, dropping three consecutive games following an opening-win against Tennessee. Cleveland hasn’t started 3-1 since 2021, and a win would mark their best start since opening 4-1 in 2020.
- Jets’ NFC North Nightmare: After rushing for 152 yards in Week 1, New York’s ground game flatlined to just 61 yards per game against Green Bay, Detroit, and Chicago.
- Defensive Fatigue: The Bears game drained the Jets defense, yielding 492 total yards and 232 rushing yards while staying on the field for 89 grueling plays.
- Red Zone Discrepancy: The Jets have punched in just one rushing touchdown over their last three games, while the Browns defense has yet to surrender a single rushing TD all season.
Both squads enter banged up. The Jets are missing starting running back Breece Hall and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell. Meanwhile, the Browns defense is playing without standout defensive tackle Mason Graham and backup Mike Hall.
Keep an eye out for linebacker Quincy Williams in a revenge game against his former team. Upset that the Jets didn’t offer him an extension after 2025, Williams vowed to be “a nightmare” for his old franchise.
The Kids Are Still Doing It Right
Finishing the first quarter of the season with the second-youngest roster in the NFL, Cleveland’s young core continues to shine:
- Denzel Boston: Leads all rookies in receiving yards (284) and ranks 2nd in the NFL with 21.8 yards per catch.
- KC Concepcion: Ranks second among rookies with 17 catches, joining Boston at the top of PFF’s rookie pass-catching grades.
- Austin Barber & Spencer Fano: Barber paces rookie offensive linemen in PFF run-blocking grades with zero sacks allowed, while Fano has surrendered just one sack.
- Mason Graham & Carson Schwesinger: Graham leads all second-year players with 4 sacks, and Schwesinger anchors the linebacker room as #1 in assisted tackles.
Beware of the Jets
Despite a sputtering run game, Jets quarterback Geno Smith presents a massive test for the Cleveland pass defense. Smith leads all starters with a 72.6% completion rate and has avoided throwing an interception.
- Elite Under Pressure: Smith is completing 74% of his passes when blitzed, boasting a 123.9 QB rating.
- Deep Threat Target: Former Buckeye Garrett Wilson leads the attack with 24 catches, anchoring a passing game that also features slot weapon Isaiah Williams and rookie tight end Kenyon Sadiq.
- Trench Matchup: Browns defensive end Jared Verse could feast going up against Jets left tackle Olumuyiwa Fashanu, who has already surrendered 5 sacks this year.
- Penalty Trouble: Watch out for yellow laundry; the Browns lead the league with 10.8 penalties per game, while the Jets rank 28th with 9.3 flags per contest.
See you Sunday. GO BROWNS… GO GUARDIANS… GO CAVS!
..From the Editor/WebMaster: Thank you for reading and joining us again for this 2026 season – we hope to see you at Burke’s Irish Pub at 5401 N Broadway, Chicago IL for the games! Don’t forget to check out our Merch and our Socials. All Merch proceeds goes to charity!