The New York Jetsfinally return to MetLife Stadium in Week 5, but the circumstances are far different from what many expected when the regular season began. New York opened the year with a victory before dropping three straight, including last Sunday's ugly loss to the Chicago Bears.
The Cleveland Browns (3-1), meanwhile, are surging. They have won three consecutive games and enter the matchup at 3-1 after beating the Pittsburgh Steelers on a last-second field goal.
That makes Week 5 another significant test for a Jets (1-3) team that has shown flashes but hasn't been able to turn those flashes into victories.
With that, here are Jets Wire's five things to watch for against the Browns:
How does Geno Smith bounce back following his worst game of the season?
Geno Smith didn't look like himself in Chicago, completing just
16 of 30 passes for 145 yards in one of the worst offensive performances New York has produced this season. That came after he had been among the NFL's most accurate passers through the first three weeks.
That makes the Bears game feel more like an outlier than the continuation of a trend. The Browns present a difficult bounce-back opportunity because their defense has been opportunistic while their offense has done enough to win close games. Smith also enters the week dealing with a wrist injury, so his availability and effectiveness will be worth monitoring as preparations continue.
Can the Jets run the football without Breece Hall?
As Breece Hall's status for Sunday's game remains uncertain, Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis are in line for expanded running back responsibilities. Allen actually provided one of the few bright spots against the Bears, rushing for 59 yards on 14 carries despite the Jets running just 32 offensive plays.
Cleveland presents an opportunity to lean on that running game because the Browns have been dealing with injuries along their offensive line and New York desperately needs to establish balance. The Jets cannot afford to become one-dimensional, particularly with the pressure that would place on Smith if the offense falls behind early.
Can the Jets slow the Deshaun Watson redemption story down?
The Cleveland Browns have won three-straight games thanks in part to the controversial decision to start Deshaun Watson, and the veteran quarterback is beginning to look more comfortable with every passing week. After opening the season with a loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, Watson has helped Cleveland beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Carolina Panthers, and Pittsburgh while throwing for 650 yards and five touchdowns with just one interception across those three victories.
Watson's Week 4 performance against Pittsburgh was particularly encouraging. He completed 24 of 33 passes for 268 yards and a touchdown, adding 22 rushing yards as the Browns rallied for a 27-24 victory. After missing significant time while recovering from his Achilles injury, Watson has Cleveland sitting at 3-1 and arriving at MetLife Stadium with legitimate momentum.
Can New York finally create consistent third-down stops?
The Jets defense has shown legitimate improvement in some areas, but the unit has struggled to consistently dictate games. The Bears held the ball for 44:12 last Sunday, and New York's inability to get off the field contributed to an afternoon in which Chicago ran 89 offensive plays.
Cleveland has won three close games, so giving the Browns extended possessions is a dangerous proposition. The Jets don't necessarily need to dominate defensively, but they have to create more three-and-outs and avoid allowing Cleveland to turn long drives into points.
Can the Jets protect home field and stop the bleeding?
There is no disguising the importance of this one. New York is 1-3, has lost three straight and now returns home against a Cleveland team that is headed in the opposite direction. Another loss would leave the Jets with an uphill climb before the season reaches its midpoint.
The good news is that New York hasn't been completely overwhelmed in every loss. The team has shown it can compete, and Aaron Glenn continues to emphasize the importance of improving one week at a time.
Now the Jets need to turn that philosophy into a result. A victory over Cleveland would stop the losing streak, restore some confidence and give New York a chance to stabilize its season. Another loss would make the questions surrounding the team considerably louder.
This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: Jets vs. Browns: 5 things to watch for during Week 5 game
