Jets vs Browns: Cleveland will challenge defense with underrated weapons

For the Week 8 Jets vs Browns matchup, many fans of the New York Jets are sleeping on the Cleveland Browns as they look to be the easiest opponent on the schedule. The Browns will challenge the Jets’ defense with their cast of underrated weapons.

Coming into the 2016-2017 NFL season, the  defense of the New York Jets was expected to be one of the best defenses in the league for the second season in a row. Nearly halfway through the season now, that hasn’t held true as the Jets’ defense has shown plenty of flaws in what has been a disappointing season. For the Jets vs Browns Week 8 matchup, don’t sleep on a Cleveland team ready to exploit the defense of Gang Green early and often.

Related Story: Jets vs Browns: In-Depth Analysis as Gang Green moves on to Cleveland

The good news for the Jets’ defense is that they are coming off of their best performance of the season, a 26-18 win against the Baltimore Ravens. In Week 8, they will be heading to Cleveland to take on the Browns in what many think of as an easy win for the Jets. However, that may not be the case.

Many people fail to realize that the Browns have a plethora of reliable weapons on offense, which may turn Sunday’s game into a tight contest. Especially with the return of veteran quarterback Josh McCown, the Browns’ offense is no joke.

At wide receiver, Terrelle Pryor has developed into a big-time difference maker for Cleveland. He has an outstanding combination of size (6’4″ 230 lbs) and 4.3 speed, which has helped him become one of the better receivers in the NFL.

It’s tough to think that the Jets defense will be able to take Pryor out of the game with one player. Their secondary has had plenty of trouble handling the type of speed that Pryor possesses, and they have yet to see a player with that kind of speed and great size. He certainly poses a major threat on Sunday.

More from The Jet Press

• NY Jets should target TE Hunter Henry in free agency
• NY Jets: Why the team should target cornerback Shaquill Griffin
• NY Jets reportedly non-tendering linebacker Harvey Langi
• NY Jets: Why the team should not cut Jamison Crowder
• NY Jets should try to sign Kenny Golladay in free agency

At tight end, the Browns have one of the most consistent players at his respective position with Gary Barnidge. He enjoyed a major breakout season last year as he eclipsed the thousand yard mark and earned a spot as one of the league’s top tight ends.

Barnidge has size and athleticism along with an uncanny ability to make crucial plays under tough circumstances. The Jets defense has had plenty of trouble covering tight ends this season, so Barnidge will definitely give them a test.

The last of the Browns’ most prominent weapons is powerful running back, Isaiah Crowell. Crowell finds himself within the top ten of the league for rushing yards as he has proven to be very capable of being a lead back.

As stated earlier, Crowell is a very powerful back due to his impressive size. He also has really good vision and decisiveness, which is important for any running back. If head coach Todd Bowles doesn’t devise the proper game plan, Crowell will give him fits.

Must Read: Jets vs Browns: Top 3 keys to victory for Gang Green

The main takeaway from this is that the Browns offense should not be taken lightly. They have plenty of weapons to go to, and they’re very capable of having a good day against what to this point has been a shaky Jets defense.