Jets @ Browns
Final Score: Jets 31, Browns 30
Writer: Ryan Radel (@RadelFF on Twitter)
The Joe Flacco-led New York Jets pulled off a miraculous comeback as time ticked away in Cleveland, powered by a rookie receiver and, I guess, the luck of the Irish, or something like that. The Jets had a lot of young talent contribute in the victory, which has to be an encouraging sign after many years of a lack of just that. This game was a nail-biter down to the last minute, with a victory going to the team that deserved it the most in the end. I have just one question: Is Joe Flacco elite? Has Garrett Wilson arrived?
New York Jets
Quarterback
Joe Flacco: 26/44, 307 Yards, 4 TD, 2 Sacks, 1 Fumble (Lost) | 2 Carries, 6 Yards
Braden Mann: 1/1, 17 Yards (Fake punt)
Filling in for the injured Zach Wilson, Joe Flacco has amassed over 600 yards, five touchdowns, and one interception over the first two games of the season. While it’s still a challenge to pick the right receiver each week (or is it?) he’s been a blessing to this offense in terms of fantasy football. There were a few opportunities for a turnover due to tipped passes or throwing under pressure that the Browns did not capitalize on. Otherwise, Flacco consistently took what the offense was giving him while taking well-timed shots down the field. Flacco has an incredibly high football IQ which will help this team as they grow and develop as professionals. He may have lost a step, but he still has a rocket for an arm:
SOURCES SAY GARRETT WILSON IS HIM#NYJvsCLE on CBS | @GarrettWilson_V pic.twitter.com/l79cp2OIvg
— New York Jets (@nyjets) September 18, 2022
Running Back
Breece Hall: 7 Carries, 50 Yards | 1 Target, 1 Reception, 10 Yards
Michael Carter: 7 Carries, 23 Yards | 5 Targets, 5 Receptions, 27 Yards
Ty Johnson: 3 Targets, 1 Reception, 4 Yards
Michael Carter was the starting running back and had more touches, but this was absolutely a split backfield. There was not a lot of space early in the game until Jadeveon Clowney left the game with an ankle injury. Both running backs looked good and contributed throughout the game as they kept each other fresh. Carter looked better in pass protection as well as in the passing game, while his counterpart Breece Hall was more effective on the ground, although nearly half of his rushing yardage came from one play. Hall received one target on the day and certainly made the most of it:
First career @BreeceH TD. Tie ballgame.#NYJvsCLE on CBS pic.twitter.com/725Ert8XHS
— New York Jets (@nyjets) September 18, 2022
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Garrett Wilson: 1 Carry, -2 Yards | 14 Targets, 8 Receptions, 102 Yards, 2 TD
Corey Davis: 4 Targets, 2 Receptions, 83 Yards, TD
Elijah Moore: 1 Carry, -6 Yards | 5 Targets, 3 Receptions, 41 Yards
Tyler Conklin: 9 Targets, 6 Receptions, 40 Yards, Fumble
Braxton Berrios: 2 Carries, 22 Yards
Jeff Smith: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 17 Yards
Jeremy Ruckert: 1 Target
For the second time in two games, busted coverage from the Browns provided a free touchdown to their opponent. This week’s free touchdown winner was Corey Davis, who casually jogged behind the defense on 2nd-and-1 for a 66-yard touchdown. Among his nine targets, Tyler Conklin had two very bad drops to go along with a fumble and wasn’t much more than a safety valve over the middle. The Jets drew up a handful of designed runs for their talented receivers, with Braxton Berrios making the most of his opportunities with these runs. Elijah Moore looked like the third option at best in this offense as he turned his five targets into three catches for 41 yards. All eyes were on Garrett Wilson as he absolutely and utterly torched the Browns secondary all day. Flacco peppered Wilson with targets throughout the game, and Wilson made the most of it, bringing in 8-of-15 targets for 102 yards and two scores. Wilson’s route-running was incredible to watch all game:
Watch the bottom of your screen 😍 @GarrettWilson_V#NYJvsCLE on CBS pic.twitter.com/WCkCuFgwV8
— New York Jets (@nyjets) September 18, 2022
Cleveland Browns
Quarterback
Jacoby Brissett: 22/27, 229 Yards, TD, Int, Sack | 6 Carries, 43 Yards
After a less-than-stellar Week 1 performance, Jacoby Brissett bounced back well in Week 2. The Browns rushing attack did all the work, so Brissett simply needed to run the offense and take care of the ball. He did just that, outside of an interception in the final drive during a messy hurry-up offense. It might be by design, but I noticed that Brissett looked like decided who he was throwing the ball to during his pre-snap read and never took his eyes off of that receiver. His six scrambles were mostly due to that read never materializing, but nonetheless impressive. While he likely won’t produce at a level where you’d want to start him on your fantasy team, Brissett’s ability to improvise was on display all game:
😳 my goodness Jacoby
📺: #NYJvsCLE on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/5tBLYXUhpL pic.twitter.com/cN3lvoZZx4— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) September 18, 2022
Running Back
Nick Chubb: 17 Carries, 87 Yards, 3 TD | 3 Targets, 3 Receptions, 26 Yards
Kareem Hunt: 13 Carries, 58 Yards | 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 16 Yards
Demetric Felton Jr.: 1 Carry, -4 Yards | 1 Target, 1 Reception, 3 Yards
The dynamic running back duo in Cleveland continues to be a force to be reckoned with. As a whole, the position was provided a healthy 37 designed touches. If this volume was going to a single running back, it would be fantasy football gold. As usual, Kareem Hunt got about 40% of the touches throughout the game but was not as effective in the passing game as he typically is. Game flow dictated Chubb got the majority of red zone opportunities which definitely hurt Hunt’s potential ceiling. Nick Chubb made the most of those extra opportunities, as he gashed the Jets run defense for over five yards a carry and three scores on his way to over 100 yards from scrimmage. Chubb put his agility on display as he bounced this run outside for a late score, although taking a knee just before the endzone may have dramatically impacted the outcome of this game.
their families are watching, Nick! 🫣
📺: #NYJvsCLE on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/5tBLYXUhpL pic.twitter.com/EgWvcD2da0— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) September 18, 2022
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Amari Cooper: 10 Targets, 9 Receptions, 101 Yards, TD
Harrison Bryant: 4 Targets, 3 Receptions, 45 Yards
David Njoku: 5 Targets, 3 Receptions, 32 Yards
David Bell: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 6 Yards
Donovan Peoples-Jones: 1 Target
After receiving a fantasy-friendly 11 targets in week 1, Donovan Peoples-Jones was a ghost in this weeks matchup. The only good news was his lone target was in the end zone, and DPJ almost pulled off an incredible circus catch with a defender draped all over him for the score. The tight end duo of David Njoku and Harrison Bryant were targeted a combined nine times as Brissett looked their way often to keep the chains moving. Until this production is consolidated, it will be tough to find value from either player. The man of the hour was Amari Cooper, who brought in 90% of his targets for 101 yards and a score. Brissett looked to Cooper on almost every important passing down, and Cooper continued to win his route and provide a target almost every time. After getting only six targets last week, it was encouraging to see Cooper produce at a high level. As a (sad) Browns fan, I am hoping to see a lot more of these in the future:
all day to throw, wide open in the endzone. you love to see it
📺: #NYJvsCLE on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/5tBLYXUhpL pic.twitter.com/GavvJMWlWB— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) September 18, 2022
Make sure you keep an eye out for weekly Start/Sit thread on Reddit prior to Week 3. Thanks for reading!