NY Jets at Cleveland NFL Week 3 Odds & Pick

The New York Jets looked ready to take the NFL by storm after they rolled to a 48-17 win over Detroit in the Monday Night Football season opener. However, they crashed back to earth in their home opener as they lost to Miami, who now leads the AFC East after two games. The Jets now head to Cleveland, who look closer than ever to breaking into the win column after tying Pittsburgh at home and then losing a nailbiter in New Orleans (and losing their kicker along the way, as he missed a field goal that would have tied the game in the waning seconds). Both teams face a short week of preparation, and both teams are looking to make the jump from divisional doormat to contender. Check out our NFL Week 3 odds preview of this prime-time affair.

NY Jets at Cleveland NFL Week 3 Odds & Pick

No days off. 📸 https://t.co/dcdnJEBY5e pic.twitter.com/F7Fbrg3NBI

— New York Jets (@nyjets) September 17, 2018

When: Thursday, September 20, 2018, 8:20pm ET Where: FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland TV: NFL Network Radio: Westwood One Live Stream: NFL Live NFL Odds: Cleveland -3, O/U 39

Why should you bet on the Jets?

When the Jets beat Detroit in the season opener, that was their first road win in their last five games away from MetLife Stadium. Sam Darnold has completed almost two-thirds of his passes in the NFL and has picked up 532 yards through the air, but he has made his share of mistakes as well, with three touchdowns — and three interceptions. The Jets are running the ball fairly well, averaging 105 yards per contest. On defense, the Jets are holding opponents under 20 points per game, but they need more consistency out of their offense if they are going to contend. With the Browns next on the schedule, the Jets will need to prepare for a grinding pace, which is why the point total is so low in this contest. The Browns have slowed the game down to a crawl, against both Pittsburgh and New Orleans — two high-flying offenses. If the Browns finally lose patience with Tyrod Taylor and bring Baker Mayfield onto the field to run the offense, then things could get crazy in a hurry for the Browns. If you like the Jets, you think that Darnold will learn enough from his Week 2 mistakes and from film study to move the offense against a stout Browns defense, and that the resurgent Jets defense will keep the Browns from moving the ball.

Why should you put your money on the Browns?

The last time Cleveland won a game, Robert Griffin III was their quarterback, and they upset the Cincinnati Bengals on December 24, 2016. Tyrod Taylor has been serviceable enough running the offense, including a clutch touchdown pass in the waning minutes against New Orleans. However, he has already thrown two interceptions this year after establishing a reputation for ball security during his time with the Buffalo Bills. Carlos Hyde already has two rushing touchdowns for the Browns, as they have shown the ability to move the ball down the field by pounding the ball between the tackles. Then there’s the Cleveland defense. They limited two elite quarterbacks to just 21 points apiece in Ben Roethlisberger and Drew Brees. So they know how to gum up the works for the opposition. The problem for Cleveland comes on offense, as they are having a hard time staying on the field long enough to keep their defense from wearing down. The added talent of Carlos Hyde and Jarvis Landry has made a difference, but Taylor needs to do a better job of leading sustained drives to give the Browns more of a chance against top teams.

Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction

I expect the Browns to exploit some of the same tendencies that gave the Jets problems against Miami last week, and I also expect Taylor to do a better job of making decisions that protect the ball. I’m predicting not only that Cleveland ends a marathon losing streak but that they cover, with a final score of Cleveland 20, New York 13.