JETS (1-1) at BROWNS ((0-1-1)
Line: CLE by 3
Cote's pick: CLE 22-17
TV: 8:20 p.m., NFLN
This would be a Thursday matchup worthy of ballyhoo _ No. 1 overall pick Baker Mayfield vs. No. 3 Sam Darnold, head to head _ but for the fact Mayfield is idling on the Browns bench (for now) watching Tyrod Taylor babysit his job. Still, plenty to see from two teams trying to make the climb up from awful. Miami fans get to see the hated division rival they just handled 20-12, and also get to enjoy how little they miss Jarvis Landry, now a Brown, either personally or professionally. The game's overarching question: Can Cleveland, last a home favorite in 2015, finally win a regular season game for the first time since Christmas Eve '16? I say yes. The Earthtones are showing signs of life. Of a running game. Of a defense. Of credibility. They fired their awful kicker. They traded Josh Gordon. They're poised to win. In what should be a game shy on touchdowns, one won with grit, not art, Browns present to the rookie Darnold a D that leads the NFL with eight takeaways. As the Education Of Sam continues, they'll be partyin' along Lake Erie at long last!
