Despite engineering the Jets' first win of the season last week, things are not looking up for quarterback Sam Darnold. (The Ringer)
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is an analyst on the Cleveland Browns for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland.
Browns v. New York Jets
Sunday, 1 p.m., in MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
Record: 1-13.
Last game: Defeated Los Angeles Rams, 23-20, Dec. 20, in Los Angeles.
Coach: Adam Gase, 8-22, second year; 31-48 overall.
Series record: Browns lead, 15-12 (counting post-season).
Last meeting: Browns won, 23-3, Sept. 16, 2019, in East Rutherford.
League rankings: Offense is 32nd overall (23rd rushing, 32nd passing), defense is 29th overall (14th rushing, 30th passing) and turnover differential is zero.
Things to watch
1.The Jets’ epic upset triumph over the Rams last week cost them the pole position in the Trevor Lawrence draft sweepstakes. As a result, it complicated the future of quarterback Sam Darnold. In three injury-riddled seasons, Darnold has a 12-24 record with 42 touchdowns v. 37 interceptions. Over that time, his passer rating of 78.4 ranks 39th. Only certifiable bust Josh Rosen (63.5) is worse. The Jets no doubt will pass on Darnold’s fifth-year option in May even though present GM Joe Douglas rated him the No. 1 QB prospect in his 2018 draft year. If the Jets don’t seize back the No. 1 overall draft position from Jacksonville, which is highly unlikely, Douglas and the next head coach have to decide whether to use the No. 2 pick on the second-best quarterback, a different position player, or trade out. Darnold, chosen No. 3 overall in 2018, found himself on the losing side of Baker Mayfield’s first NFL appearance in relief of Tyrod Taylor that season. But because Darnold was out with mononucleosis in Game 2 last year, this will be the first head-to-head meeting as starters between Darnold and Mayfield. The gap between them has never been greater.
2.Darnold’s problems this year (only three games of 200 yards passing, only one of more than one touchdown) are rooted in injuries. He missed four games with a sprained shoulder and his three main receivers – Breshad Perriman, Jamison Crowder and rookie second-round pick Denzel Mims – have played together in only five games. Further, the offensive line has experienced consistent breakdowns, though behemoth No. 1 pick Mekhi Becton has generally held up well as a rookie left tackle. A huge part of the Jets’ offseason plan, along with their decision with the No. 2 draft pick, is whether to hire a head coach with Darnold specifically in mind or exclude him entirely from that major decision.
3.Keep in mind that Adam Gase is still on the job as head coach and ownership has not tipped its hand on his future. Gase is known to have the backing of Jets CEO Christopher Johnson, but majority owner Woody Johnson is returning to the team next month after his three-year term as U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom expires. Also, Douglas, who is completing the second year of a four-year contract, is not wedded to Gase.
4.Former defensive coordinator Gregg Williams has not been heard from since Gase fired him the day after Williams called for a “zero blitz” on the final play of what appeared a sure victory over the Raiders on Dec. 6. The horrendous call – blitzing seven defenders – left rookie cornerback Lamar Jackson in single coverage against Henry Ruggs with no safety help. Ruggs, the fastest player at the 2020 NFL Combine, beat Jackson for a 46-yard game-winning TD with five seconds left. Linebackers coach Frank Bush took over for Williams, but son Blake Williams remained with the Jets as a defensive assistant. Awkward.
Did you know … ?
1.Running back Frank Gore, 37, is completing his 16th NFL season as a feature back with his fifth team. Gore’s 605 rushing yards pushed him to No. 3 on the NFL all-time list with 15,952 yards. Only Emmitt Smith (18,355) and Walter Payton (16,726) have more. Gore is one of 25 players all time with 100 touchdowns in his career. One was on a fumble recovery.
2.Defensive tackle Quinnen Williams is the team’s best player on defense. The No. 3 overall pick of the 2019 draft leads the Jets in sacks (seven), tackles for loss (10) and quarterback hits (14), and is tied for first in the NFL among defensive linemen with a stop percentage of 7.1 percent (39 stops on 551 defensive snaps). Williams suffered a concussion in the Jets’ win over the Rams and his game status won’t be known until later in the week.
3.The name Dowell Loggains sound familiar? Now Jets offensive coordinator, Loggains was the point man for the Browns in communication with Johnny Manziel on the night of the 2014 draft. As Loggains related in a radio interview a few days later, he was on the phone with Manziel when the Texas A&M quarterback implored the Browns, “Let’s wreck this league.”
4.Since 2018, receiver Breshad Perriman’s 17.8-yard per catch average is second among all receivers with at least 50 receptions.
Small world: Former Browns include receiver Breshad Perriman (2018), defensive tackle Trevon Coley (2017-18), and safety J.T. Hassell (2019) … Special teams coordinator Brant Boyer played for the Browns (2001-03) and was a training camp coaching intern (2019) … Offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Dowell Loggains was Browns QB coach in 2014 … Defensive assistant Blake Williams was Browns linebackers coach (2017-18).