NFL Week 2 Parlay: Jets and Browns Slug It Out
New York Jets vs. Cleveland Browns
Sunday, September 18, 2022 at 1 p.m. ET FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland
New York's Week 1
Last week, the Jets faced a Baltimore team that is annually one of the NFL's top rushing teams if not the top one.
Last season, for example, Baltimore ranked third in rushing yards per game.
Against Baltimore, the Jet run defense made a statement that is reflective of their run defense personnel quality and of their determination to stop the run.
The Ravens attempted 21 rushes, and the Jets limited them to 63 rushing yards.
Baltimore's leading rusher averaged 2.8 YPC on 11 attempts.
Energy
It might seem like a hackneyed sort of observation, but it is clear and significant that the Jets want to defend the run.
Jordan Whitehead and the role that he plays might do the most to explain what I mean.
Other teams' coaches and others have repeatedly referred to Whitehead as a tone-setter.
The former Buccaneer and current Jet strong safety brings a level of tenacity that is positively infectious for the rest of his team's defense.
As evident in Week 1, he'll come flying around to make tackles while appearing emotional and devoted to his endeavor; other defenders will follow suit.
So, in Week 1, multiple Jets commonly rushed to swallow up the opposing ball-carrier.
Secondary Additions
New York's secondary does much to suggest the extent to which defensive backs form an underrated component of a strong run defense.
Even before he became a Jet, fellow defensive back DJ Reed was well-reputed for his zealous run-defending.
Like Whitehead, Reed contributes both physicality and team speed to New York's run-defending endeavor.
Secondary play is particularly important to a Jet defense that, last year, was especially vulnerable to giving up longer runs.
The Jets were one of the worst teams at limiting longer runs, but now have defensive backs who can more effectively contain opposing rushers.
Front Seven
Of course, the front seven also deserves mention for the Jets.
Last week, CJ Mosley and fellow Quincy Williams finished 1-2 in tackles.
Their strong tackling stats were partly a product of their sideline-to-sideline pursuit.
While they could also stuff rush attempts up the middle, they were ready when an opposing rusher tries to bounce it outside.
Cleveland's Limited Pass Attack
New York's ability to defend the run is crucial because Cleveland, especially given its quarterback situation, is uniquely dependent offensively on establishing the run.
Current Brown quarterback Jacoby Brissett is starting only out of necessity while Deshaun Watson is suspended.
Brissett annually struggles to average a high number of yards per pass attempt.
His Week 1 effort -- he accrued 147 passing yards on 4.3 YPA -- isn't atypical for him.
Advanced metrics show, generally, his inaccuracy and the number of passes of his that are interceptable.
It is, of course, easier for a quarterback to conceal these deficiencies by throwing simpler, shorter passes.
Cleveland's offense will be limited because the Jets can devote themselves to stopping the run without having to worry about Brissett punishing them for paying extra attention to Brown running backs.
Joe Flacco and Jet Offense
Even with Elijah Moore healthy, the Jet offense continues to be a mess.
Last year, the Jet offense ranked 28thin scoring.
This season's Jet offense suffers for having Joe Flacco at quarterback.
In Week 1, he missed open throws and was generally inaccurate -- he ranked 18thin accuracy rating.
But he also faced strong levels of defensive pressure while lacking the playmaking ability to escape this pressure and make things happen out of nothing -- after all, he, too, is starting only out of necessity: Zach Wilson is still hurt.
So, Flacco simply relied heavily on his running backs, two of whom led or co-led the team in receptions.
This issue with pressure will surely continue given the mutual presence of Brown star pass-rushers Jadeveon Clowney and Myles Garrett.
Combined, both amassed 25 sacks last season even though Clowney missed a few games.
Cleveland's Edge
The lack of playmaking ability in New York's offense gives the Browns an edge.
Cleveland's rush attack will be a bit better than Baltimore's was last week because Nick Chubb is characteristically a north-south runner, and the Jets invested a lot on the edge while leaving the interior rather vulnerable -- crucially, their top run-stuffer, defensive tackle Foley Fatukasi, departed.
Moreover, Cleveland has arguably the top offensive player on the field in four-time Pro Bowler Amari Cooper.
Parlay Verdict
Both offenses will struggle to move downfield.
In particular, New York's lacks competent quarterback play and sufficient pass protection while Cleveland shares New York's quarterback problem.
Behind stronger playmaking on offense in the form of Cooper and Chubb, expect the Browns to edge out a low-scoring victory.
https://www.betonline.ag/
Best Bet: Parlay Browns ML at -260 & Under 39.5 at -105 at +170 odds with BetOnline
New York Jets vs. Cleveland Browns
Sunday, September 18, 2022 at 1 p.m. ET FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland
New York's Week 1
Last week, the Jets faced a Baltimore team that is annually one of the NFL's top rushing teams if not the top one.
Last season, for example, Baltimore ranked third in rushing yards per game.
Against Baltimore, the Jet run defense made a statement that is reflective of their run defense personnel quality and of their determination to stop the run.
The Ravens attempted 21 rushes, and the Jets limited them to 63 rushing yards.
Baltimore's leading rusher averaged 2.8 YPC on 11 attempts.
Energy
It might seem like a hackneyed sort of observation, but it is clear and significant that the Jets want to defend the run.
Jordan Whitehead and the role that he plays might do the most to explain what I mean.
Other teams' coaches and others have repeatedly referred to Whitehead as a tone-setter.
The former Buccaneer and current Jet strong safety brings a level of tenacity that is positively infectious for the rest of his team's defense.
As evident in Week 1, he'll come flying around to make tackles while appearing emotional and devoted to his endeavor; other defenders will follow suit.
So, in Week 1, multiple Jets commonly rushed to swallow up the opposing ball-carrier.
Secondary Additions
New York's secondary does much to suggest the extent to which defensive backs form an underrated component of a strong run defense.
Even before he became a Jet, fellow defensive back DJ Reed was well-reputed for his zealous run-defending.
Like Whitehead, Reed contributes both physicality and team speed to New York's run-defending endeavor.
Secondary play is particularly important to a Jet defense that, last year, was especially vulnerable to giving up longer runs.
The Jets were one of the worst teams at limiting longer runs, but now have defensive backs who can more effectively contain opposing rushers.
Front Seven
Of course, the front seven also deserves mention for the Jets.
Last week, CJ Mosley and fellow Quincy Williams finished 1-2 in tackles.
Their strong tackling stats were partly a product of their sideline-to-sideline pursuit.
While they could also stuff rush attempts up the middle, they were ready when an opposing rusher tries to bounce it outside.
Cleveland's Limited Pass Attack
New York's ability to defend the run is crucial because Cleveland, especially given its quarterback situation, is uniquely dependent offensively on establishing the run.
Current Brown quarterback Jacoby Brissett is starting only out of necessity while Deshaun Watson is suspended.
Brissett annually struggles to average a high number of yards per pass attempt.
His Week 1 effort -- he accrued 147 passing yards on 4.3 YPA -- isn't atypical for him.
Advanced metrics show, generally, his inaccuracy and the number of passes of his that are interceptable.
It is, of course, easier for a quarterback to conceal these deficiencies by throwing simpler, shorter passes.
Cleveland's offense will be limited because the Jets can devote themselves to stopping the run without having to worry about Brissett punishing them for paying extra attention to Brown running backs.
Joe Flacco and Jet Offense
Even with Elijah Moore healthy, the Jet offense continues to be a mess.
Last year, the Jet offense ranked 28thin scoring.
This season's Jet offense suffers for having Joe Flacco at quarterback.
In Week 1, he missed open throws and was generally inaccurate -- he ranked 18thin accuracy rating.
But he also faced strong levels of defensive pressure while lacking the playmaking ability to escape this pressure and make things happen out of nothing -- after all, he, too, is starting only out of necessity: Zach Wilson is still hurt.
So, Flacco simply relied heavily on his running backs, two of whom led or co-led the team in receptions.
This issue with pressure will surely continue given the mutual presence of Brown star pass-rushers Jadeveon Clowney and Myles Garrett.
Combined, both amassed 25 sacks last season even though Clowney missed a few games.
Cleveland's Edge
The lack of playmaking ability in New York's offense gives the Browns an edge.
Cleveland's rush attack will be a bit better than Baltimore's was last week because Nick Chubb is characteristically a north-south runner, and the Jets invested a lot on the edge while leaving the interior rather vulnerable -- crucially, their top run-stuffer, defensive tackle Foley Fatukasi, departed.
Moreover, Cleveland has arguably the top offensive player on the field in four-time Pro Bowler Amari Cooper.
Parlay Verdict
Both offenses will struggle to move downfield.
In particular, New York's lacks competent quarterback play and sufficient pass protection while Cleveland shares New York's quarterback problem.
Behind stronger playmaking on offense in the form of Cooper and Chubb, expect the Browns to edge out a low-scoring victory.
https://www.betonline.ag/
Best Bet: Parlay Browns ML at -260 & Under 39.5 at -105 at +170 odds with BetOnline
