Jets, Fitzpatrick show resolve to rally past winless Browns

If the Cleveland Browns were people handing out Halloween candy to trick or treaters, the first half candy passed out were full sized candy bars. No one knows exactly what happened at half time, but it was clear who made the adjustments.

Namath, by the way, tweeted his approval after the game: “Lousy first half, terrific second half”.

Quarterback Josh McCown had a strong first half in his return from a broken collarbone and the Browns captured a 20-7 halftime lead against the New York Jets on Sunday at FirstEnergy Stadium. The drive got started when McCown found Gary Barnidge for 34 yards on the first play from scrimmage.

The Jets started the second half with the ball and generated a 12-play, 78-yard scoring drive.

Unfortunately his efforts were not enough to translate into a Cleveland victory.

With the loss, the Browns fell to 0-8 for the first time in 41 years and continued their strident march toward the top pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.

Thinking further down the road, the Jets will have a whole new situation at quarterback next season.

McCown connected on 25 of 49 passes for 341 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions. The current uniforms are just as ugly as the product on the field. “There was still a lot of ballgame left, but you get a touchdown there, you steal some momentum, you answer their score, and you feel better about where we are going”. The Browns started the drive with 4:00 remaining in the fourth quarter. Pryor hauled in 6 passes for 106 yards over the player formerly known as “Revis Island”. The Houston Texans are 32nd in the National Football League in offensive DVOA yet sit atop the AFC South with a 5-3 record. I’m starting to really question whether this club will get a win in 2016.

It’s hardly the first time. At halftime, the Browns celebrated the 30-year anniversary of the 1986 team. Former coach Marty Schottenheimer, who is battling Alzheimer’s disease, said “there’s nothing like the Browns”. Forte scored again on the following series to bury the Browns for good. Quincy Enunwa led in receiving with 73 yards in two catches while Forte had 54 yards and a touchdown in four catches. “There’s a lot of things that we need to do better if we’re going to continue this winning streak and continue to win games, but I think it’s been a huge disappointment”. On third-and-7, Pryor beat Darrelle Revis down the sideline, but McCown’s pass sailed over Pryor by several yards.

Defense torn up early: The Jets’ defense looked just as bad in the first half as their offense. He was shut out after the break, however, with his only catch on a two-point conversion in the dying seconds. But what they have instead is a 3-5 record, which leaves them in the thick of the AFC race … and Ryan Fitzpatrick coming off another victorious half of football to cover up for one wretched half.