NFL Hall of Fame Game 2023: Browns Defeat Jets 21-16

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It was a breathtaking, beautiful night for football. After so many months of no NFL football, it was nice to see professional football back in action. The Browns had the ball first and wasted no time getting the offense in rhythm.

Browns running back John Kelly Junior ran the ball effectively. However, the Jets sacked Quarterback Kellen Mond on third down. Kicker Case York missed a field goal which nullified the Browns success on offense. Accuracy was a huge problem for York last season. Though York has Justin Tucker-like range, he still has yet to improve his kick accuracy which could continue to be a problem in 2023.

Two-year starting quarterback Zach Wilson started the Jets first drive. Wilson is now the backup quarterback to Aaron Rodgers. The Jets first possession didn’t last long as the Browns defense contained the Jets though only did enough to stop the Jets from getting a first down. Cleveland’s defense didn’t seem overpowering but was effective enough as the Jets gained eight total yards.

On the Browns second drive, the Jets struggled with penalties, as the defense committed back-to-back penalties with offsides and holding penalties. After that, rookie linebacker Will McDonald IV pressured Mond into an incomplete pass. Fans immediately saw McDonald’s impact. On third down, the Browns committed an illegal formation penalty which was declined by the Jets, which lead to a fourth down as a result of an incomplete pass. There was early sloppiness by both teams.

The Jets started their second drive on the four-yard line and Wilson threw a long pass to Browns 43 43-yard line, a 53-yard gain. Two plays later, the Jets were penalized for a false start. Zach Wilson threw an incomplete pass on 3rd and ten. Veteran Kicker Greg Zuerlein nailed a field goal and the Jets took the lead late in the first quarter 3-0.

On the Browns third drive, receiver Anthony Schwartz lost the football on a fumble during a run play and the Jets recovered the football. Schwartz already drew the ire of Browns fans before the game for his failure to be productive. However, the Browns defense didn’t allow a touchdown and the unit looked relatively solid early on. The reliable Zuerlein nailed a 44-yard field to extend the Jets lead 6-0.

The Jets gained possession again early in the second quarter. The Browns defense once again stopped the Jets and didn’t allow any points.

Mond threw an interception on the Browns next possession. Everything seemed too wrong for Cleveland right away and it appeared the Jets would have total control of the game. The Jets scored an easy rushing touchdown and took a 13-0 lead.

On the Browns next possession, more bad luck would be the case. Mond threw a long pass which was called back due to a holding penalty. A few plays later. Kelly Junior caught a short pass and then accelerated for a first down. Shortly after that, the Jets were penalized for offsides. Kelly Junior was stopped short of a first down after that. Mond took a chance on fourth and inches with a run that paid off. The Browns were penalized for holding after that. At that point, the Browns had two penalties for 20 yards and the Jets had seven penalties for 45 yards. Two plays later Demetric Felton Junior caught a pass and then gained the first down. Rookie receiver Cedric Tillman caught a pass down the field at the 23-yard line and then accelerated to the 17-yard line. A few plays later, Kelly Junior rushed for a touchdown. York nailed the extra point to make the score Jets 13 Browns 7.

The Jets offense went almost all the way down the field and gave Zuerlein an easy field goal opportunity. The Jets lead 16-7 at halftime.

After a 93-yard drive, the Browns scored another touchdown after Felton Junior ran for a 16-yard touchdown to make the score 16-14 after the extra point.

Later on in the third quarter, the Jets gambled on a 4th and 3 and didn’t get the first down.

The Jets started the fourth quarter on a 2nd and eight. There was a delay due to an issue with the stadium lights. The Jets offense was stopped again. Austin Watkins who was recently signed by the Browns, caught a 22-yard touchdown pass from rookie Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson. The Browns took a 21-16 lead with 9:33 left in the fourth quarter.

In the final minute, the Browns almost committed pass interference but it was determined to be a clean play. The Browns intercepted the ball with 41 seconds left in the game to seal the win, 21-16.