CLEVELAND — All eyes are on the Cleveland Browns as the team looks to lock up a playoff spot with a win against the New York Jets on Thursday night.
Below is everything you need to know ahead of Thursday's game:
Game info, how to watch on TV, betting line:
- Date: Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023
- Kickoff time: 8:15 p.m. ET
- Location: Cleveland Browns Stadium
- TV channel: Amazon Prime and WEWS Channel 5
- Radio: ESPN 850, 92.3 The Fan, 98.5 WNCX, Cleveland Browns Radio Network
- Betting line: Browns -7.5
- Over-under point total: 34.5
Preview:
The Cleveland Browns are looking to take care of business on Thursday night in front of a home crowd off the shores of Lake Erie. The Browns have the opportunity to clinch just their third playoff berth since 1999 with a victory over the New York Jets.
Despite battling a multitude of injuries, the resurgence of Joe Flacco has led the Browns to a three-game win streak and the opportunity to control their own destiny. For Flacco, the veteran QB, it will be a reunion with his former team.
Since parting ways with Flacco at the end of the 2022 season, the Jets have seen their fair share of QB injuries and struggles, with the team now relying on Trevor Siemian.
In just four starts for the Browns, Flacco has compiled 1,307 passing yards and 10 touchdowns. Since coming to The Land, Flacco has found chemistry with Amari Cooper, leading to Cooper's historic performance.
During the team's 36-22 victory over the Texans, Cooper's 265 receiving yards set a new single-game record for Cleveland pass catches and also helped make him the first receiver in franchise history with back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons.
However, the Browns were dealt yet another devastating right before kickoff, as Cooper was ruled out with an unspecified heel injury. The 29-year-old did not practice all week.
Adding to Cleveland's infirmary ward, kicker Dustin Hopkins and punter Corey Bojorquez will also miss the game, with Riley Patterson and Matt Haack replacing them, respectively. Other inactives include:
- LB Anthony Walker Jr.
- DE Ogbo Okoronkwo
- C Luke Wypler
- DE Sam Kamara
The Browns come into Thursday night's game boasting the best defense in the league, only giving up 260.3 yards per game. Conversely, the Jets carry one of the league's worst scoring offenses, averaging only 15.4 points per game, the third lowest in the NFL.
The Browns' defense will be tasked with slowing down RB Breece Hall, who had two touchdowns, 95 rushing yards, and 96 receiving yards in the team's 30-28 victory over the Commanders on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the matchup of the night will be Cooper and Jets CB Sauce Gardner, who will most likely be tasked with slowing down Cooper.
