The New York Jets are hosting the Cleveland Browns for the Week 1 regular season matchup. Both teams are looking to end their "rebuilding" reputations and start the season off with a win.
Browns vs. Jets picks and predictions: Todd Bowles could earn 1st win as head coach
The Jets are favored over the Browns, but their offense is still unproven ahead of the regular season.
The Browns will be led by a new face under center this season. Brian Hoyer is in Houston and league veteran Josh McCown, who will start ahead of Johnny Manziel, is No. 1 on the depth chart. Second-year head coach Mike Pettine is hoping a strong offensive line and experienced wide receivers like Brian Hartline and Dwayne Bowe will help the Browns put together some semblance of an offense.
On the other sideline, quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick will start for the Jets with rookie Bryce Petty as the backup. Fitzpatrick could usurp the team's intended starting quarterback Geno Smith, who is still weeks away from seeing game time despite having returned to limited practice following surgery on his broken jaw. Head coach Todd Bowles has committed to sticking with Fitzpatrick as the starter so long as he plays well enough to earn it.
Bowles is heading into his first regular season as head coach following coordinator positions with the Philadelphia Eagles and Arizona Cardinals. He was named interim head coach for the Miami Dolphins back in 2011 for three games, in which the team went 2-1.
It’s not a terribly inspiring matchup, especially on offense, but most experts are siding with the home team. The crew over at CBS Sports is somewhat split with six of eight voters picking the Jets over Cleveland. SB Nation’s panel also stands behind the Jets with the exception of PFT Commenter, who picked the Browns to come away with the Week 1 win.
| Ryan Van Bibber | Stephen White | Joel Thorman | David Fucillo | Danny Kelly | Matt Ufford | PFT Commenter | OddsShark | |
| CLE @ NYJ | NYJ | NYJ | NYJ | NYJ | NYJ | NYJ | CLE | NYJ |
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