What to watch for in Hall of Fame Game: Jets vs Browns preview
The Hall of Fame Game kicks off the NFL Preseason on Thursday and even though many stars may not be playing there are plenty of interesting story lines.
Strap in NFL fans, the preseason starts on Thursday night when the New York Jets and the Cleveland Browns will feature in the Hall of Fame Game from Canton, Ohio.
Okay, I know that the stars of each team will most likely be in street clothes in the first of these two teams four preseason games, but that doesn’t mean that there won’t be plenty of plot lines to watch play out when we get our first nibble of football since February.
Back up quarterbacks, a fill in running back and a new offensive coordinator will take the stage in football’s grand return to it’s sacred ground.
Jet’s QB depth chart
It’s no secret who will be the Jets’ starting quarterback once Week 1 comes rolling around. They went from a starting QB who completely lost the confidence of his team in the middle of last year to a four time MVP. Aaron Rodgers in QB1, and Zach Wilson is QB2 even though he may still mending relationships with many of his teammates. The question comes with the third string quarterback role. Last year Matt White and Joe Flacco backed up Wilson, but this year its Tim Boyle and Chris Streveler who will be battling for the QB3 position. Look for both QBs to get an ample share of snaps against the Browns.
Jets O-line
One of the main concerns for Jets fans, coaches and their future Hall of Fame Quarterback is centered around the offensive line. It’s fair to say that the Jets line hasn’t given their quarterback, who ever it may be, much protection over the last few years. They have Mekhi Betcon back to 100% after missing almost two full seasons, and he will get some snaps along with rookies Joe Tippmann and Carter Warren. Protecting Aaron Rodgers is going to be priority No. 1 this season.
Joshua Dobbs
Like the Jets, the Browns starting quarterback job is occupied. Deshaun Watson will be under center in Week 1, and we can only assume that Josh Dobbs will be his back up after having a few solid showings in Tennessee last year. We still haven’t had much of a sample size to measure Dobbs, considering he’s thrown for less than 500 yards since he was getting drafted in 2017. Any playing time is good playing time for Dobbs who has seen more downs then ups in his role as a depth chart QB.
Hackett debut after last year
It’s been a long week for Nathaniel Hackett who took some shots from new Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton in the lead up to the Hall of Fame Game. Hackett lasted less than a season in the Mile High City after a turbulent season with the new look Broncos. He’s now in New York, doing what he does best, serving as the Jets offensive coordinator. This game will give us our first look at the Jets offense, but more than anything will take some attention away from the media chatter that’s surrounded him in the last few days.
Browns running back
Cleveland has had one of the top rushing attacks in the league over the last few seasons. With Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt in the backfield, the Browns have had a Top 6 (at worst) running game over the last three years. That may not be the case with half the backfield dipping into the free agent market. Hunt is still a free agent, but is unlikely to sign with the Browns, which means that Cleveland will be looking for a No. 2 to their 1-2 punch. Jerome Ford and Demetric Felton Jr have a chance to step into that spot, but it’s going to depend on how they do in the preseason.