THREE-POINT STANCE
(Three points of interest in Sunday’s game)
TRAVEL ISSUES
The Browns haven’t won a road game since Week 2 … of last season. They beat the Jaguars 18-13 on Sept. 15, 2024, with Deshaun Watson at quarterback and Alex Wright getting a late sack for a safety. They’ve lost 12 straight away from home since, not counting the loss to the Vikings in London in what was technically a home game.
“I didn’t know how far it kind of went back and we haven’t won that many games anyway the last two years,” guard Joel Bitonio said, referring to the 5-20 record since the start of 2024. “It’s really just a focus on us. We want to close ranks and just be like, what can we do to control what the Browns are doing?”
The offense has been a problem wherever the Browns (2-6) have played this season. The defense is another story. The numbers are drastically different in Cleveland vs. away from Lake Erie. In three games at home, the Browns have allowed an average of 11 points and 196.7 yards. Plenty of circumstances contribute to the poor away numbers — turnovers by the offense and special teams putting the defense in bad positions — but the defense hasn’t played as well. It gave up a losing touchdown in the final minutes against the Vikings and allowed 422 yards to the Patriots on Oct. 26 before the bye. In five games away from home, the Browns have allowed 30.2 points and 325 yards a game.
“It’s just a matter of making sure that every week we go out there and play the type of football that we know we’re able to play and doing it for all four quarters,” said rookie linebacker Carson Schwesinger, who was listed as questionable with a high ankle sprain. “We can’t play two good quarters and then one all right quarter, it’s got to be four great quarters of football.”
Notes: Dee and Jimmy Haslam, Kevin Stefanski wish Paul DePodesta well as he returns to baseball
The Browns had similar road issues on defense in 2023 but still managed to finish as the NFL’s No. 1-ranked unit. The offense bailed it out on occasions on the way to the playoffs, but that hasn’t been the case this season. While the Jets are 1-7 and 24th in the league with 21.0 points a game, their win came before last week’s bye when they beat the Bengals 39-38 and racked up 502 yards.
“As a team we just have to play better on the road,” defensive end Myles Garrett said. “That’s all across the board. There’s got to be something that we can (hang) our hats on, that we’re known for. Defensively, I feel like we can be that, we can be that consistent force on the team that we can always rely on. We’ve got to be willing and able to do the same thing on the road.”
A NEW VOICE
The story of the week for the Browns was the change at play caller. Coach Kevin Stefanski handed the responsibility to coordinator Tommy Rees over the bye in an attempt to jump-start an offense that’s surpassed 17 points once in eight games. Rees, 33, is in his first year as an NFL coordinator but called plays at Notre Dame and Alabama.
Tommy Rees will put his ‘spin’ on things, focus on maximizing personnel in new role as play caller
“Tommy is — he’ll probably be (ticked) I say this — but he’s a football savant,” line coach Mike Bloomgren said. “He is such an old soul with so much football knowledge. The way that he processes information in this game, the way he thinks this game is so next level. I’m amazed by him daily.”
Rees grew up around football with his dad, Bill, a longtime personnel executive, including with the Browns from 2004-08. Rees played quarterback at Notre Dame and is considered a future head coach, whether in college or the NFL. Getting an offense with a struggling rookie quarterback and underproducing receivers to sustain drives, generate explosive plays, score more points and support the defense would be another huge resume builder. The Browns are 30th in the NFL with 15.8 points a game, 31st in total offense (263.5 yards), 28th rushing (89.5), 29th passing (174.0) and 31st (16.8) in first downs.
“There are so many offensive coordinators in the National Football League that think about the pass game and the pass game only,” Bloomgren said. “His ability to really process protection and any potential issues, his ability to see things from a run blocking, a leverage standpoint, the creativity he has in the game plan, those are the things that come up meeting to meeting.”
Rees said he took a job with the Browns last year, as tight ends coach, because of his admiration for Stefanski. The feeling is mutual, and Stefanski wouldn’t have made the change at play caller if he didn’t trust Rees.
“Tommy’s done a nice job throughout this week,” Stefanski said. “He’s done this. He’s more than capable. I think he understands this team, these players. He’s somebody that’s grown up around this game with his dad, obviously played the game at a high level collegiately, has had really great experiences in his coaching stops already. The environments that he’s been in have set him up really well.”
WHIRLWIND WEEK
Are the Jets still reeling? Have they gotten over the shock of their two best defensive players being traded Tuesday at the deadline? Their mental state could play a large role in the outcome of the game.
“I hate it,” receiver Garrett Wilson said of the deals.
The Jets sent cornerback Sauce Gardner to the Colts and defensive tackle Quinnen Williams to the Cowboys, shipping out a pair of former All-Pros in their primes to stockpile draft picks. The loss of the talent will be a factor vs. the Browns, but what could matter more is whether the remaining players believe the organization still cares about winning this season.
“It’s one thing that kind of sucks being in this league when you build bonds in the locker room with guys, and then the next day they leave,” quarterback Justin Fields said. “But it’s a thing that happens every year, so you’re surprised but not at the same time.”
Fields is expected to start, although coach Aaron Glenn refused to say if it would be him or journeyman Tyrod Taylor. Glenn appeared ready to make the switch to Taylor before the Jets’ most recent game until Taylor was ruled out with a knee injury. Fields had one of his best games of the season, throwing for a touchdown and 244 yards in the come-from-behind win over the Bengals.
“I would expect to see Fields. In this league, wherever the money at, that’s where it got to go,” linebacker Devin Bush told The Chronicle-Telegram. “So I’m sure they’re not going to buy a Ferrari not to drive it. So I’m going out there thinking he’d be out there, but if he’s not out there, then Tyrod Taylor is next up and just got to get ready for that.”
The Jets’ performance against the Bengals adds to the weirdness of the week. They should have momentum coming out of the bye — Breece Hall rushed for 133 yards and two touchdowns and threw a TD — but the trades seemingly changed the vibe. The Browns are still expecting their best.
“It doesn’t change,” Stefanski said. “They have a bunch of good players. We have to play our best.”
NUMBERS GAME
-9
Turnover margin for the Jets, worst in the league.
156.5
Passing yards per game for the Jets, worst in the league.
174.0
Passing yards per game for the Browns, 29th in the league.
THE PICK
In a battle of bad teams, give me the one that didn’t trade any its two best defensive players during the week. Browns 20, Jets 10.
