New York Jets vs Cleveland Browns
It’s been quite the week for Jets fans, as the franchise has essentially signaled that it’s punting on the season – and maybe part of the future, depending on how you look at it.
At Tuesday’s trade deadline, the Jets shipped out two cornerstone defensive pieces. Sauce Gardner was dealt to the Colts for two first-round picks (2026 and 2027) and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell. They also traded Quinnen Williams to the Cowboys for a 2026 first-round pick and a 2026 second-round pick, and received defensive tackle Mazi Smith in return.
Naturally, the impact was immediate – among the locker room, the fanbase and the betting markets. The Jets originally opened as two-point favorites against Cleveland, but after the moves, the line flipped to the Browns laying -2.5. The total nudged from 37 to 37.5.
Is this adjustment justified? Let’s get into it with my New York Jets vs Cleveland Browns preview and picks.
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New York Jets vs Cleveland Browns NFL Betting Insights
Can Aaron Glenn get his team to respond positively after the trade deadline?
Jets vs Browns Preview
Outside of a miracle comeback two weeks ago against the worst defense in football, the Jets have yet to win a game in 2025. They’re 1-7, allowing 27.6 points per game (27th) and ranking 26th in defensive EPA per play. Offensively, it’s not much better. They also rank 26th in EPA per play and average just 21 points per game.
Aaron Glenn has not announced a starting quarterback. It could be Justin Fields or Tyrod Taylor. Fields was benched two weeks ago but re-entered due to Taylor’s injury. He then led New York to its first win of the season in Cincinnati, throwing for 244 yards and a touchdown while erasing a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter. But that was against the worst defense in the NFL – this week is has a much different outlook.
Cleveland at least brings a competent defense, ranking third in success rate and fifth in EPA per play. The offense, however, is rough. Rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel has struggled, and the Browns rank last in offensive success rate and 31st in EPA per play. Gabriel has yet to throw for more than 221 yards in a game and has a completion rate under 60%. Since his first start in Week 5, he ranks dead last in adjusted EPA per play, success rate and CPOE.
Fields hasn’t been much better, ranking near the bottom in those same categories, but he does at least add mobility and improvisation when things break down. And if Taylor starts, I’d consider him an upgrade over Fields entirely.
New York Jets vs Cleveland Browns Bet
This is a messy matchup. Both teams are struggling, both are off a bye, and the Jets just traded their two best defenders. We also don’t know who’s starting at quarterback for New York.
Despite all of that, I’d actually side with the Jets. Cleveland has had to prepare for two entirely different quarterback styles. Whether it’s Fields or Taylor, that does matter – one of them brings real dual-threat ability that changes the way a defense has to approach the game. You may think both options are underwhelming, but there’s still a clear difference in how they force a defense to play.
On top of that, we could see a short-term spark from this Jets locker room. Players don’t tank – front offices do. This group can rally around the idea of proving they can still compete even without two of their best defensive pieces. It’s not about disrespecting Gardner or Williams, it’s about responding to the message the organization just sent. This turns into a pride game, and that can matter when both teams are already struggling.
It’s a filthy game to back, but I’m getting down and dirty with the underdog.
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