Rival Report: Browns can’t finish, lose to Jets in Week Five

by Christina "Tina" Rivers (3Rivers_Writer) on October 10, 2017

That the Cleveland Browns were able to move the ball and get into the red zone three times against the New York Jets in Week Five was an exciting progression. That they came away with not a single point in those drives had heads shaking and fans wondering if Hue Jackson and the Cleveland organization really are cursed. The score remained close, but the Jets came away with a 17-14 win and further propelled the Browns into a free-fall that now includes a win-loss record of 1-20 (combined 2016 and 2017 regular season). Twenty losses and still no clear answers. Here are a few thoughts about the game – good and bad.

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Kizer or Hogan moving forward?

Hue Jackson has been adamant that the Browns are fully invested in DeShone Kizer as the starting quarterback from the very beginning, but there may be some second-thoughts moving forward. Against the Jets, Kizer was pulled at halftime and Kevin Hogan was sent in to try to get Cleveland their first win. The results are obvious.

Quarterback	Plays	Snap %	Week 5 Stats
DeShone Kizer	42	55%	8-of-17 for 87 yards, 1 INT. 6 rushes, 29 yards, 1 fumble
Kevin Hogan	34	45%	16-of-19 for 194 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT. 4 rushes, 30 yards

On Monday, Jackson spoke with the media and admitted that he must make a decision that is best for the team and that puts them in a position to win, with a caveat. “My decision is what is best for the team … Also, what is best for DeShone? It’s not just for the team, but what is best for him…” Jackson said. “So that he can feel like, ‘OK, I am moving further along in this process, and I’m understanding what I need to do to be better.'”

Kizer ranked last in the league in completion percentage, yards per attempt and overall rating among all qualifying NFL quarterbacks and is first in interceptions heading into Monday night’s game. He’s at the bottom in Total QBR (per ESPN Stats).

I said it, I was going to ride with him, and I have done that … Ride through the ups and downs until I determine that the ups and downs are too much. – H. Jackson

Hogan has made the most of the opportunities he’s been given between the preseason and Sunday’s game against the Jets. He has completed 26 of 38 passes (68.4 percent) for 377 yards and three touchdowns but has tossed two interceptions on his way to a rating of 104.8. An extra season in this Cleveland system had Hogan looking more relaxed and fluid while running the offense.

Numbers don’t matter, however, if Jackson sticks to his early convictions – that Kizer stands alone at the top of the depth chart. Jackson has been questioned in the past about his level of commitment to individual players, including Cody Kessler and Robert Griffin III. He’ll remain in the spotlight until he shows he’s putting a ‘W’ – and whether a young guy is upset over getting benched – ahead of emotions.

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Welcome to the NFL Myles Garrett

Defensive end Myles Garrett had his pro debut on Sunday. The number one overall pick in the 2017 NFL draft, Garrett missed the first four weeks of the season with an ankle injury sustained in training camp. In his very first snap, Garrett burst through the New York offensive line to sack quarterback Josh McCown.

First NFL snap … first NFL SACK!!

@MylesLGarrett 💪💪💪 https://t.co/fBjOgyvd3r

— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) October 8, 2017

Garrett added a second sack with just under two minutes left in the first half of the game. When he came out after halftime, Garrett did not see a snap until Carl Nassib suffered an injury and looked slower and stiffer. With all the waiting, the Browns certainly have to be keeping an eye on how he’ll be this week in practice.

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McCourty delivering ‘shutdown’ performances

Cornerback Jason McCourty has been a gold star for this Browns squad. Against the Jets, McCourty allowed just 24 yards on five receptions (on seven targets). He also snagged an interception. It bumped his Pro Football Focus grade to 91.6 overall. Balls thrown into his coverage area netted an NFL passer rating of just 36.3 per PFF.