Browns vs. Jets: What's the Game Plan for Cleveland?

Losing 10 straight season openers isn’t an easy feat, but somehow the Cleveland Browns managed to get it done. That’s a decade of futility on opening day for those keeping score at home. But let’s not dwell too long on that because this is just Mike Pettine’s second year as head coach. He's only responsible for one of those losses so far.

And Pettine’s group looks like it's making progress and has a good opportunity to break that streak against the New York Jets in Week 1. An offensive explosion is a bad bet, but the Browns still have some options when attacking the talented Jets defense.

We’ll look into just how they might be able to exploit a team that, on the surface, has very few, if any, glaring weaknesses.

Offensive Game Plan

Keep Josh McCown Clean

This kind of goes without saying. To play successful football, teams have to protect their quarterback and put them in positions to succeed. But with Josh McCown, it’s paramount.

Year	Dropbacks	Pressure %	Completion %	Sack Rate	TD:INT
2014	382	43.2%	45.8%	21.8%	2:9
2013	243	37%	41.9%	12.2%	6:0
2011	71	40.8%	42.9%	24.1%	0:0
2007	220	36.8%	49.2%	16%	1:2

To put that table data in perspective, McCown was the second-most frequently sacked and the second-most pressured quarterback in 2014. He was much better in a more limited sample size in Chicago in 2013, so expect more of that type of performance if he's protected better this week.

So how can the Browns keep him clean and help him succeed? Utilizing his athleticism is one way. Designing plays to get him out of the pocket and away from blitzes, especially on passing downs, should be a huge part of the Browns' Week 1 game plan.

There are other options for neutralizing pressure. Short bubble screens to Andrew Hawkins or Taylor Gabriel are one way to get the ball out of McCown's hands quickly to remove the threat of pressure from the equation.

But the best way for the Browns to get their offense moving against the Jets is to spread things out or utilize their running backs and tight ends as pass-catchers.

Spread It Out

The Jets are going to deploy Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie in press-man coverage on Cleveland’s outside receivers. That’s why they sought out their reunion during the offseason. And then there's former Browns corner Buster Skrine playing primarily in the slot, where he belongs—he was always miscast on the outside in Cleveland.

Below, you’ll see the Jets’ base nickel defense, with Skrine lined up in the slot and Revis and Cromartie pressing on the line of scrimmage.

Source: NFL Gamepass

This three-wide, single-back approach is not the way for the Browns to attack the Jets. That formation is their biggest strength. One way they can, though, is by using similar personnel but lining them up in unique ways like in the following shot from their Week 3 preseason matchup against Tampa Bay.

On their first offensive play, the Browns sent out their 12-personnel look—two tight ends, two receivers and one running back—but spread the field with an empty backfield look. The Buccaneers sent out their base defense and weren’t prepared to match up against the formation.

Source: NFL Gamepass

As you see above, Duke Johnson motioned out of the backfield into the slot, netting a linebacker in coverage. With their outside linebacker rushing the passer, a safety was forced to move up to cover Andrew Hawkins in the slot. Here’s how the play developed.

Source: NFL Gamepass

Those two remaining linebackers covered Johnson and Rob Housler. The safety came up to mark Hawkins in the slot. All of those matchups are mismatches. Those battles are way more favorable than throwing at Revis and Cromartie every down and expecting success.

There are obviously other options, including leaving a running back in the backfield for chip-blocking and quick releases or delays into the flats, but getting creative with personnel will go a long way toward opening up the field.

Protecting McCown and getting Johnson, Hawkins and Gabriel open in space are great ways for the Browns to move the ball and score enough points to win.

Defensive Game Plan

Disruption

Ryan Fitzpatrick hasn't exactly rolled over for the Browns in the past. The veteran starter holds a 3-1 record against them and has a decent supporting cast to work with this season.

Generating pressure to disrupt Fitzpatrick and the Jets rushing attack will be a huge part of the Browns' game plan. Look below at the Week 3 preseason play against Tampa Bay in which defensive coordinator Jim O'Neil sent Tashaun Gipson run-blitzing.

The Browns lined up in a 4-3 defense, with Paul Kruger at strong side outside linebacker and Scott Solomon at defensive end.

Source: NFL Gamepass

Doug Martin didn't have a chance.

Source: NFL Gamepass

With Gipson stepped up on the edge, the Browns' scheme spoiled the Bucs' attempt to pull both their play-side guard and center to trap the outside Browns defenders. Gipson was kicked out by fullback Jorvorskie Lane, but Solomon burst through behind the pulling lineman before tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins could cover down. 

Gipson's disruption prevented Lane and ultimately Martin from getting to the edge, and Solomon's penetration ensured the running back wouldn't find any running lanes behind his pulling blockers.

Giving Fitzpatrick different looks, run-blitzing and executing with disruption will help stop those types of power rushes from developing and will limit Chris Ivory's effectiveness.

Two plays later on 3rd-and-long, O'Neil sent some pressure toward rookie quarterback Jameis Winston that was both deceptive and disruptive.

Source: NFL Gamepass

Winston panicked and threw it into the waiting arms of Browns cornerback Charles Gaines.

Source: NFL Gamepass

Fitzpatrick is no rookie, but that was a well-designed and disguised pressure that forced a turnover. Tackles for losses and interceptions will go a long way Sunday to earning a rare Week 1 win. 

Key Players and Matchups

Revis typically shadows an offense’s top pass-catcher. But looking at the Browns’ group of receivers, it’s not immediately clear where he’ll line up on Sunday. That favors the Browns because they can get creative with formations, as discussed above, and aren't reliant on one player for production.

Jets center Nick Mangold is a proven commodity who has played at a high level for years. But rookie defensive tackle Danny Shelton is going to be a handful. If Shelton can continue to impress, move Mangold and stand his ground against double teams, the Browns defense should be able to be successful against the run.

Skrine will likely spend most his time matched up against a familiar face in the slot in Hawkins. But Skrine won't likely be asked to press much on the line. Rather, he'll try to run with whomever Cleveland lines up in the slot with his top-end speed. This should free up the Browns receivers to challenge him in space, and Skrine has been susceptible to big plays and big penalties in the past.

Brandon Marshall against Joe Haden could be one of the most underrated and intriguing Week 1 NFL matchups. In his prime, Marshall was simply untouchable. But Pro Bowl cornerback Haden has had a lot of success against big-bodied receivers like him in the past. He is known for standing out and shutting down A.J. Green and Calvin Johnson.

Prediction

The Browns have the personnel in place and some avenues to exploit the Jets on both sides of the ball. If they lose this game, it'll be because of execution, not talent or a coaching staff that isn't aware of how to attack the Jets on both sides of the ball.

Ivory should be limited to less than 100 yards rushing with no touchdowns. It’s hard to imagine the Jets scoring many points against the very capable Browns secondary if the running back doesn’t break off some explosive plays.

Fitzpatrick has weapons and should be able to move the ball some, though. However, Cleveland's defense should continue doing what it did when healthy during the first part of 2014: bending but not breaking.

If the Browns can do that, there’s no reason why they can’t leave New York with a 17-16 upset.

Mike Hoag (@MikeHoagJr) covers the Cleveland Browns for Bleacher Report and is the managing editor of Browns Beat.