New York Jets 24, Cleveland Browns 20
The defense and special teams let the Browns down last night in the preseason opener. The Browns allowed two TDs to WR David Clowney (70, 71 yards) which is just flat out unacceptable…..preseason or not. They also allowed a 62-yard punt return to rookie CB Dwight Lowery in the 4th quarter which cost them the game. The Browns did hold the Jets to 59 yards rushing on 19 carries (3.1 ypc) which was pretty impressive. But, the pass defense had a lot of leaks last night. The Jets completed 18 of 26 passes for 283 yards. The Browns pass defense has a lot to work on before September comes.
Derek Anderson opened up the game for the Browns and he played pretty well. He completed 4 of 5 passes for 20 yards including a 2-yard TD pass to Braylon Edwards. Brady Quinn followed Anderson in the game and he was effective. Quinn completed 13 of 17 passes for 133 yards with 0 TD passes and 1 interception. Ken Dorsey finished up the game for the Browns and he was pathetic. He completed only 8 of 26 passes for 139 yards with 0 TD passes and 2 interceptions. His best play was his only run of the game which went for 16 yards. Jerome Harrison led the Browns in rushing with 31 yards on 8 carries (3.9 ypc). Jason Wright only rushed for 17 yards on 7 carries (2.4 ypc) but he scored a TD. Rookie TE Martin Rucker led the Browns with 5 catches for 70 yards (14.0 avg). WR Travis Wilson also had a solid game with 3 grabs for 58 yards (19.3 avg). Rookie Paul Hubbard pitched in with 2 catches for 49 yards (24.5 avg). The Browns should not have lost this game based on the play of the offense. The Browns rushed for 107 yards on 29 carries (3.7 ypc) last night. They also completed 25 of 48 passes for 275 yards. It’s hard to fathom how the Browns could lose a game in which they had possession of the football for 37:19 but they did.