The biggest question surrounding the Cleveland Browns is whether they’ll lose more quarterbacks than football games this season. My money is on the games after the Browns lost for the seventh time in as many tries last week. They’ve had six different quarterbacks throw a pass this season and could get Josh McCown back after Cody Kessler was concussed in the latest defeat. At least Kessler might not remember how the game played out, because it was an ugly loss. Up next is the New York Jets in a Week 8 home contest.
This matchup in Week 8 of the regular season will take place on Sunday, October 30, 2016, at 1 p.m. ET at FirstEnergy Stadium.
Odds Analysis
Both teams have quarterback issues and are undecided on a starter, leaving the spread and total off the board. Given the injury situation, Kevin Hogan is in line to start for Cleveland and the Jets will be the favored team. Look for the total to come in low, but the Browns defensive problems could give the over some value.
Injury Report
Nick Mangold – You can’t question his toughness, but there comes a time when the body just can’t take anymore. The Jets starting center has played through various ailments all season, but he left last game with a lower leg injury after having a teammate land on him. Mangold played through a knee injury sustained three weeks ago, but it’s unlikely he goes against the Browns, leaving a big hole in the middle of the offensive line.
Cody Kessler – Another quarterback was lost for the Browns when Kessler sustained a concussion in the first half of the Bengals game. Hogan, who was promoted off the practice squad last week, took over and tossed a pair of interceptions. There’s a chance McCown could play this week, if not the ball is in Hogan’s hands.
Matchup to Watch
A few weeks back this matchup was listed as the best chance the Browns had of getting their first victory of the season. With all the injuries Cleveland has sustained, particularly at the quarterback spot, all that’s likely changed. With Kessler down with a concussion and unlikely to play, the job of quarterbacking the Browns falls to Hogan, who spent the first five weeks of the season on the practice squad after he was signed away from the Chiefs at the end of camp.
Considering he hadn’t taken many reps with the first team offense, Hogan played relatively well. He showed off his running ability, which was far superior to his passing skills, against the Bengals. Hogan is the sixth different quarterback to take snaps for the Browns this season, and currently he’s the only one that’s healthy. Jackson had some packages exclusively for Hogan and he took three snaps prior to taking over for Kessler. Hogan was able to run for 104 yards out of the read-option plays, and he passed for 100 yards on 12 completions, but he did toss two picks. We can expect the Browns to implement a run-heavy scheme if Hogan starts, but the way the QBs have fallen, it’d be a good idea if Hogan hands the ball off.
Free ATS Pick
The Browns should just tuck this season into their back pocket and move on. Of course they don’t want to become the second team in NFL history to finish a 16-game season without a victory, but the way things are going that looks like a strong possibility. We can point to the quarterback position as the downfall to the Browns year, but there are other concerns. The defense continues to allow big plays and surrendered over 500 yards to the Bengals. The group ranks among the bottom four teams in total yards, passing yards and rushing yards allowed, while giving up nearly 30 points per game.
Too bad for the Jets that Ryan Fitzpatrick wasn’t as grateful to them for the big contract as he was ticked over the lack of confidence the organization showed in him by his benching. Fitz made a big deal that the team no longer believed in him, but could you blame the Jets. After all, Fitzpatrick was downright awful as the team started 1-5. Taking over for the injured Geno Smith on Sunday, Fitz was on fire leading the Jets to victory, using the benching as motivation. He should be plenty motivated against the Browns, assuming he gets the starting nod.
NFL Odds: Jets 27, Browns 13
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