Browns vs. Jets: Previewing NY Jets' Week 1 Matchup

Now, it counts.

After five weeks of exhibition games, scrimmages and training camp practices, the regular season is finally here. And for the New York Jets, that means a Week 1 matchup with Josh McCown and the Cleveland Browns.

For the first time this season, the Jets will look to take the first step in erasing last year’s dreadful 4-12 campaign. With a new coach in Todd Bowles, a new general manager in Mike Maccagnan, the return of Darrelle Revis, Antonio Cromartie and more, New York looks ready to turn the corner and write the newest chapter in the new era of Jets football.

While New York enters the regular season knowing its defense has the talent and potential to be one of the league’s best, there’s far more uncertainty on the offensive side of the ball.

Is Ryan Fitzpatrick capable of leading the Jets offense throughout the year, or is he just a Band-Aid until Geno Smith returns? Is Chris Ivory ready to take the next step to be a good-to-great running back, or will he remain nothing more than average? Can Brandon Marshall be the Jets' first true No. 1 since Keyshawn Johnson, or will he cause more harm than good?

Those questions and more will all be answered in 2015, and the long conclusion will begin to be written Sunday afternoon.

Location: MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Channel: CBS

2015 Preseason Recap

Adam Hunger/Associated Press

The Jets accomplished just about everything they could want in the 2015 preseason:

Stay healthy? Check. 
Improve each game? Check.

The Jets saved their finest exhibition performance for when the starters played their most significant amount of time.

Against the New York Giants in the preseason’s third week, quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick finished 9-of-14 for 127 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Chris Ivory rushed six times for 38 yards, and receivers Eric Decker and Brandon Marshall combined for six receptions, 85 yards and a touchdown in one half of action.

The Jets also saw just about everything they could have wanted to from rookie defensive lineman Leonard Williams in the team’s second preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons. In limited snaps, Williams recorded five tackles, 1.5 sacks, three tackles for a loss and two quarterback hurries.

With the USC product expected to start in place of Sheldon Richardson while the Pro Bowl defensive end serves his four-game suspension, his dominance against Atlanta’s starters eased any worries Jets coach Todd Bowles could have had.

The Jets also found a bit of a surprise in Zac Stacy. After New York acquired the veteran running back on a draft-day trade, it originally had him buried on the depth chart. Four solid preseason games, 154 rushing yards, 79 receiving yards and two touchdowns later, Stacy is now viewed as a player who may push Bilal Powell for reps behind Ivory.

News and Notes

Bill Kostroun/Associated Press

Are Leonard Williams and Lorenzo Mauldin healthy enough to make an impact?

The Jets escaped the preseason healthy. Well, relatively healthy.

First-round pick Leonard Williams and third-rounder Lorenzo Mauldin both suffered leg injuries and missed the Jets' final preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Jets coach Todd Bowles said he expects both to play Week 1, but how effectively is up in the air.

Despite being rookies, both players are expected to have roles on the Jets' starting defense. With Sheldon Richardson serving a four-game suspension, Williams is the team's starting defensive end opposite Muhammad Wilkerson. Mauldin, meanwhile, is expected to see a solid amount of reps in pass-rushing situations, especially considering the fact the Jets just released veteran Jason Babin on cutdown day.

The Jets are going into Sunday’s game against Cleveland hoping the two will be 100 percent. While neither player will make or break the Jets defense, having them both at full capacity will certainly make things easier. On Tuesday, Bowles said both players would be a "full-go," but we'll see if that's actually the case.

Is Chris Ivory prepared to take the next step?

Outside of those in Florham Park, very little is known about Jets running back Chris Ivory. Originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the New Orleans Saints in 2010, last year Ivory rushed for 821 yards on just 198 carries.

This year, Ivory is set to be the Jets' unquestioned No. 1 back. And unlike last year, when Chris Johnson split carries with him, there’s no other real threat in the New York backfield to poach rushing attempts. This could be Ivory’s breakout year, and the Browns are his first chance to show what he’s capable of doing with extended touches.

“He’s a hard worker,” Bowles said. “He doesn’t say much. He comes in. He keeps his head down. He grinds every day. He’s where he’s supposed to be. He’s a good blocker.

“He’s going to have to become a better receiver, but he has decent hands. He just needs to concentrate a little more. But running the ball is not a problem at all for him.”

Nearly everyone at Jets camp has had nothing but glowing remarks for Ivory this offseason. Sunday against Cleveland will be his first chance to show the world what he’s displayed in practice all of August.

Can the Jets defense dominate?

What’s likely an extension of its head coach, the Jets defense—despite those talking outside the locker room—has been relatively quiet about just how good it can be this year.

Combine a secondary revamped and rebuilt with a defensive front already used to dominating, and you get a Jets defense that could be its best in years—and that’s saying something. On paper, the team is up there with the Seattle Seahawks as a group that can beat you in just about every way.

But the thing that makes Seattle so special is the fact the team brings it every week. Very rarely does the Seahawks defense have an off day. Whether it's playing a team with one win or one with no losses, the group is always on point. If the Jets want to be the best, they’ll have to bring it against more teams than just the New England Patriots, which was an issue with the last regime.

The Browns are not the most talented team in the NFL, and the Jets defense should dominate the Josh McCown-led offense. Will it? Well, that’s yet to be seen.

Latest Injury News

Peter Morgan/Associated Press

Name	Position	Injury	Wed Practice	Thurs Practice	Game Status
Geno Smith	QB	Jaw	OUT	OUT	OUT
Devin Smith	WR	Ribs	Limited	Limited	Probable
Erin Henderson	LB	Knee	Limited	Full	Probable
Jaiquawn Jarrett	S	Shoulder	Limited	Limited	Probable
Leonard Williams	DE	Calf	Limited	Full	Probable
Stephen Bowen	DE	Knee	Full	Full	Probable
James Carpenter	OG	Back	Full	Limited	Probable
Willie Colon	OG	Knee	Full	Limited	Probable
Antonio Cromartie	CB	Hip	Full	Full	Probable
Ben Ijalana	OT	Knee	Full	Full	Probable
Chris Ivory	RB	Knee	Full	Full	Probable
Jeremy Kerley	WR	Concussion	Full	Full	Probable
Lorenzo Mauldin	LB	Knee	Full	Full	Probable

This page will be updated as the Jets release their Thursday and Friday official injury reports.

The Jets are, believe it or not, relatively healthy entering Sunday's matchup with the Cleveland Browns. Aside from Geno Smith (broken jaw), Devin Smith (broken ribs), Stevan Ridley (PUP list) and Dee Milliner (short-term IR), Jets coach Todd Bowles said he expects all other walking wounded to suit up. 

The one injury situation that should be monitored is rookie Leonard Williams. Speaking on Tuesday, Bowles said Leonard wouldn't be on a pitch count and would be a "full-go" against Cleveland. While Williams may be on the field the majority of the game, just how effective he can be has yet to be seen. 

Key Matchups

Paul Sancya/Associated Press

Willie Colon vs. Cleveland Browns interior defensive line

The Jets were in an interesting situation in training camp this year, as there weren’t many positions on the roster—starting at least—that were up for grabs. The team knew whom its starters were going to be, and the offseason was more about getting them ready than having two players battle it out.

Well, all except for right guard, but even that didn’t prove to be much of a competition either.

Taking every first-team rep beginning the second week of camp, Willie Colon was officially named the Jets' starting right guard after the third preseason game. Brent Qvale, Brian Winters, Dakota Dozier and others weren’t as “hungry,” as Todd Bowles put it. So, Colon got the nod.

If Colon can play more like the guard who played for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 2008-2012, that’s a good thing. If Colon plays the same as he did for the Jets in 2014, that’s not good. That’s really, really not good.

A season ago, Colon was flagged for more penalties than all but one NFL offensive lineman playing at least 25 percent of his team’s snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. He earned a PFF minus-16.3 overall grade and was the 66th-best guard. He struggled in nearly every facet and was a reason the Jets looked to fortify their offensive line in free agency. 

While the Browns defensive line isn’t exactly elite, it’s solid. And if Colon can’t hold his own against it, well, it certainly doesn’t bode well for when he has to face Fletcher Cox (Philadelphia Eagles), Ndamukong Suh (Miami Dolphins), Kyle Williams (Buffalo Bills), J.J. Watt (Houston Texans) and more down the road.

Brandon Marshall vs. Joe Haden

It’s been an awfully long time since the New York Jets had a true No. 1 receiver with the athletic capabilities of Brandon Marshall. One of the league’s best over the last decade, Marshall does things others simply can’t.

In his 10-year career, Marshall has caught 773 passes for 9,771 yards and 75 touchdowns. He’s had 100 or more receptions five times, more than 1,000 yards seven times and caught 10 or more touchdowns three times.

But last year? He had his worst statistical season since his rookie year. In an injury-plagued campaign, Marshall caught 61 passes for just 721 yards and eight scores.

The Jets took a gamble on the opening day of free agency by trading for the former Chicago Bear, hoping they’d be getting the 2013 version of Marshall and not the 2014 one. If that gamble pays off—and last year really was just an off year for the 6'4", 230-pound pass-catcher—Marshall may be the best acquisition the Jets made this offseason—an offseason that featured the signing of cornerback Darrelle Revis.

Marshall will get his first chance to show the world he’s still elite when he faces one of the game’s best cornerbacks in Joe Haden. Having gone up against Revis all of training camp, Marshall should be prepared for the challenge.

X-Factor

Leon Halip/Getty Images

New York Jets X-Factor of the Week: Muhammad Wilkerson

Ever since last season came to a close, there’s been a relatively large elephant holding a relatively large sign in each room at the Atlantic Health Training Facility.

Inscribed on that sign? A question: When will the Jets pay defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson?

Entering the final year of his five-year rookie contract, Wilkerson, the Jets' first-round pick in the 2011 draft, has established himself as one of the game’s best 3-4 defensive ends. A monster against both the pass and run, there are few denying Wilkerson is deserving of a new deal. There’s also no doubt the Jets would like to give him one.

The issue? What Wilkerson thinks he’s worth and what the Jets think he’s worth are two different values.

While Wilkerson has made it known he’s not happy he’s playing this year on a base salary of just $6.9 million, he’s been the good guy and attended every one of New York’s mandatory offseason activities.

He was in Florham Park for minicamp, training camp and every preseason game—although he did miss a few weeks with a hamstring injury. But attending those workouts isn't what’s going to get Wilkerson paid. His play will do that.

If Wilkerson wants J.J. Watt-type dollars, he’s going to need to have a J.J. Watt-type year. Sure, the 10.5 sacks and 63 tackles back in 2013 were great, but Watt has had 51.5 sacks the last three years.

The game against the Browns will be the first audition for Wilkerson to remind the Jets just how good he can be when healthy. Last year, a turf toe hampered his ability. This year, he’s 100 percent. If he comes out and dominates, especially with Richardson suspended, his price tag will skyrocket.

If that happens, by the end of the season the Jets will have to pay Wilkerson what he wants or risk someone else doing it for them. The franchise tag is an option, but it's not ideal for a team like the Jets who would prefer not to have that chunk of salary instantly removed from their salary cap.

If Wilkerson is smart, he’ll play like a man possessed this year with dollar signs in his eyes. That should start against Cleveland.

Prediction

Al Pereira/Getty Images

For a team looking to begin a new era, there isn’t a better first opponent to get things started against than the Cleveland Browns. From top to bottom, the Jets have an advantage.

Offensively, despite relatively even quarterback play from both sides, the Jets have far superior playmakers. On defense, it’s no-contest. Barring any unforeseen circumstance, New York shouldn’t have an issue getting its first win of the season. It won't be a blowout, but it won't be a struggle. 

If Cleveland wants to spoil New York's home opener, the team’s going to have to get going early and take advantage of potential miscommunications in the Jets secondary.

While the majority of the Jets' front seven are back, the back end is completely new. Darrelle Revis spent last year in New England. Antonio Cromartie was with the Cardinals in Arizona. Buster Skrine was in Cleveland. Marcus Gilchrist was with the San Diego Chargers. The only projected starter who's returning is safety Calvin Pryor, who struggled mightily as a rookie.

It’s going to take a week or two before the Jets defense jells. That means there’s going to be a breakdown or two in the secondary at random points in time—and that’s completely normal and expected. The key will be for McCown to find those mistakes. If he does and steals a touchdown or two early, the Browns defense could put pressure on Fitzpatrick. If that happens, Fitzpatrick could make mistakes.

And if that happens, Cleveland has a chance.

Still, the odds of the above situation coming to fruition are slim.

New York 23, Cleveland 13

Connor Hughes is the New York Jets beat writer for the Journal Inquirer and Scout.com. All quotes and advanced stats referenced and used are gathered firsthand. Connor can be reached on Twitter (@Connor_J_Hughes) or via email ([e-mail]).