Who: New York Jets
When: September 13 (Sunday, 1 PM)
Where: MetLife Stadium
Series history (Last meeting): 12-9 (Jets 24, Browns 13 in 2013 at MetLife Stadium)
The coach: Todd Bowles
The stakes: The 2015 season opener brings Mike Pettine back to New York, where he built his reputation as the defensive coordinator during the Jets' deep playoff runs in 2009 and 2010.
Matchup to watch: WR Eric Decker vs. DB Tramon Williams. Decker led the Jets with 74 catches and 962 yards last season but now will have the luxury if operating against No.2 cornerbacks with the arrival of Brandon Marshall. Williams will want to show out in his first game for Cleveland, especially with his former counterpart Buster Skrine now suiting up for the Jets.
Offseason storyline: Superstar approach. Pro Bowlers Marshall and Darrelle Revis fell into the laps of the Jets and the same can be said about the No.6 overall pick defensive end Leonard Williams – who many agreed was the best overall prospect in the draft. Jets fans think they are in position to win now, despite clarity issues at quarterback.
Biggest addition: It's Revis without question. He could've re-signed with the Patriots for another go-round at a Super Bowl, but Revis' heart is in Manhattan. Bowles brings an aggressive scheme with him to the Jets and the coach arguably has the best cornerback in all of football to gameplan with.
He gone: WR Percy Harvin. A stunning midseason trade in 2014 sent Harvin to New York from Seattle. The Jets were hoping giving up a future conditional draft pick could help jolt the offense, but Harvin's 29 catches in eight games had minimal impact.
The star: DL Sheldon Richardson. But here's the catch: he's suspended Week 1 against the Browns for violating the NFL's drug policy. Joe Thomas and the rest of the Browns' offensive line will sleep a little easier knowing Richardson and his eight sacks will be watching the game in sweatpants at home.
The X-Factor: QB Geno Smith. The Jets signed Ryan Fitzpatrick and they drafted Bryce Petty from Baylor. But it'll be the third-year Smith who will take the first-team reps at the beginning of training camp and who most are expecting to start Week 1 for New York. In 30 career games, Smith has 25 touchdown passes, 34 interceptions and a quarterback rating of 71.5.
They'll make the playoffs if...: The defense is a top-five unit in the league; if the light bulb goes off for Smith and if running back Chris Ivory is productive and stays healthy.
The season will go south in a hurry if...: A quarterback carousel unfolds; if Richardson's four-game suspension weakens the front seven early in the season and if Bowles encounters first-year head coach struggles.
Expert's take-- Bob Wischusen, Radio Voice of the Jets:"They improved the roster. This team offensively the last two years had about as little talent as any team had in NFL history -- much less in the current NFL. They've added Brandon Marshall. They've drafted Devin Smith. They've brought in Eric Decker last year. They've added Stevan Ridley to the mix. They've added some players. To me, that's the change."
