Cleveland Browns vs. New York Jets: 5 matchups that will decide Week 3

Jamie Collins SAM, vs. Isiah Crowell, RB

As the SAM, or strong-side linebacker, Jamie Collins has to make Isaiah Crowell look like the back who averaged 2.8 yards per carry in Week 2.

Despite the dismal second game by Crowell, who carried the ball 10 times, he’s still averaging 6.2 yards per carry.

Collins carries a grade of 65.1 from Pro Football Focus into the contest, which is considered slightly above average. He’s been better defending against the pass 70.4, than the run, 60.2.

The Browns pay Collins a ton of money and so far, he just hasn’t been an impact player for the franchise.

Cleveland fans are no strangers to Crowell’s game. Too often, we saw the back slow down upon hitting the line of scrimmage. Collins has to capitalize of Crowell’s inability to make big gains out of small holes and cut him down.

As a member of the New England Patriots, Collins was a TFL (tackle for a loss) machine, and that just hasn’t been the case since he changed uniforms.

Hopefully, the primetime lights of Thursday Night Football help him regain some of that New England magic.

If the Browns can slow down the rushing attack, that puts so much pressure on Sam Darnold to make plays, and a history of rookie quarterbacks shows he’s more likely to make errors, than not.