Cleveland Browns: 5 reasons Browns will bounce back vs New York Jets
4. Simeon starting for the Jets
The Jets have a new offensive minded head coach, but as was the case a season ago, the offense is clunky and doesn’t really scary anyone.
Sam Darnold will miss the game after being diagnosed with Mono. When he did play in Week 1, Darnold attempted just four passes over 20 yards. Gase would much rather have him protect the ball with short passes closer to the line of scrimmage.
In Darnold’s absence, the Jets will start Trevor Simeon. Simeon has a 13-11 career record for a starter, as all of his starts came with the Denver Broncos. He didn’t appear in a game last season. Simeon has a 59 percent career completion percentage and has thrown 12 touchdowns against 14 interceptions in 26 games.
Le’Veon Bell is a concern at running back, but his availibity is unknown as it was reported Bell is getting an MRI for a sore shoulder.
At receiver, Quincy Unuwa was lost for the season after a neck injury so the Jets traded for Damaryius Thomas, who became available after the Patriots picked up Antonio Brown.
The problem with Thomas, though, is that he’s in his 10th season and his career is on the 18th green.
Darnold locked in on Jamison Crowder last week, targeting his slot receiver 17 times for 14 catches. The rest of the team was targeted 24 times and had just as many catches!
The secondary needs a bounce back game, no one more notably than second-year veteran Denzel Ward. The Pro Bowler was forced by Titans’ rookie A.J. Brown in Week 1, but the Jets don’t have that type of threat, which should help Ward get back on track.