The New York Jets lost their Week 17 matchup against the Cleveland Browns 20-37 despite a total of 360 total offensive yards on Sunday. It was a tough game for Gotham City despite scoring early in the 1st half to keep the score close. The Browns were the better team in Week 17 with 428 yards of offense, overcoming a difficult run and pass defense against the New York Jets. The Jets were unable to score in the 2nd half despite efforts from star players like RB Breece Hall and WR Garrett Wilson. The New York Jets will face division rivals New England Patriots in Week 18, the final game of the season.

New York Jets Slay

New York Jets RB Breece Hall slays in Week 17 with 13 carries for 84 yards while adding another 42 yards on 9 catches and 1 touchdown. Hall once again led the Jets in yards and touchdowns against the Cleveland Browns. Hall continues to play well; being the most talented player on the roster, the Jets seem to perform well when the offense runs through Hall. Week 18 provides Hall with another opportunity to lead the team against a last-place 4-11 New England Patriots team in the final game of the regular season, so fantasy managers playing in the championship round should continue to start Hall with confidence.

Joe Flacco slays in his Week 16 matchup against the New York Jets with 19 pass completions for 309 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 1 interception. The veteran QB continues to play at an elite level for the Browns after Deshaun Watson’s season-ending Injury. Flacco has 13 touchdowns in the season since Week 13, providing the Browns with consistent performance and a playoff spot. Flacco remains a top-10 quarterback in Week 18 as the Cleveland Browns face a struggling Bengals team. Fantasy managers should start Flacco in the fantasy championship if they have no better option.

Browns RB Jerome Ford slays in Week 17 against the New York Jets with 12 carries for 64 yards while scoring twice on 2 catches for 57 yards and 2 touchdowns. Ford was busy on Sunday afternoon, finding holes within the Jet’s secondary to find the endzone. Despite a lackluster run game in prior weeks, the Cleveland Browns were able to cross the century mark against Gotham City.

Fellow Browns RB Kareem Hunt also slayed in Week 17 with 10 carries for 34 yards and a 1 rushing touchdown. Hunt scored his only touchdown in the 1st quarter but was held in check the rest of the game.

Cleveland Browns TE David Njoku continues to play well this season, and his elite performance was helpful in Week 17 against the New York Jets with WR Amari Cooper injured and fellow wideout Elijah Moore leaving Sunday’s game with a concussion. Njoku started off hot with 6 receptions for 134 yards and no touchdowns. Njoku remains a top-10 TE this season despite the Cleveland Browns starting 4 different quarterbacks under center. Njoku should remain a vital piece for the browns playing in the playoffs, so the fantasy manager should feel confident starting the TE in Week 18.

New York Jets Bomb

New York Jets QB Trevor Siemian bombs in Week 17 against the Cleveland Browns despite completing 32 passes for 261 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception. Siemian faced Cleveland’s defensive pressure most of the game; he was sacked 2 times due to the Jets’ susceptible offensive line. Siemian has shown chemistry with the Jets’ top players, such as RB Breece Hall and WR Garrett Wilson, but is unable to capitalize on big plays. Siemian and the Jets will face division rivals New England Patriots in Week 18.

New York Jets WR Garrett Wilson bombs in Week 17, completing 5 catches for 50 yards and 0 touchdowns. Although Wilson’s performances this season have been inconsistent due to lackluster and underwhelming QBs under center, he crossed 1,000 yards receiving for the second straight season with the Jets in Week 17. Week 18 provides a better opportunity to score and add to his receiving totals on the year when Wilson faces the last-place New England Patriots.

Looking Ahead

The New York Jets will try to finish the last game of the regular season with a win against division rivals New England Patriots in Week 18. Although the Jets have nothing to play for, the Jets intend to remain competitive. Week 17’s loss against the Browns generated critique on head coach Robert Saleh’s reaction, or lack thereof, after Thursday’s Jets performance. Although the Jets are out of playoff contention, fans and analysts remain skeptical that Robert Saleh is the right man to lead the New York Jets to a championship season in 2024.