Beckham the star of the show at MetLife Stadium; acrobatic one-handed catch in first quarter another highlight
Tuesday 17 September 2019 11:45, UK
Odell Beckham Jr had a career-long 89-yard scoring reception and Myles Garrett recorded three sacks as the Cleveland Browns posted a 23-3 victory over the New York Jets on Monday night at East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Baker Mayfield completed 19-of-35 passes for 325 yards and the touchdown to Beckham, who had six catches for 161 yards. Beckham's big showing came at MetLife Stadium, the venue he called home for five seasons with the New York Giants before being traded to the Browns during the offseason.
Nick Chubb added a rushing touchdown and Austin Seibert kicked three field goals for Cleveland (1-1), who impressively rebounded from a season-opening 43-13 loss to the Tennessee Titans.
New York (0-2) posted 262 offensive yards without starting quarterback Sam Darnold (mononucleosis) and also lost fill-in Trevor Siemian to an injured left ankle with 7:47 left in the second quarter. Siemian was 3-of-6 passing for three yards before exiting.
Luke Falk finished the game and completed 20-of-25 passes for 198 yards.
Le'Veon Bell rushed for 68 yards on 21 carries and caught 10 passes for 61 more as New York suffered their seventh straight home setback.
The Browns, who had 375 offensive yards, scored the game's first 13 points while quickly taking control.
Seibert kicked field goals of 23 and 48 yards in the first quarter, and Chubb scored on a 19-yard run through the left side to make it 13-0 with 10:16 left in the half.
Siemian was injured about two-and-a-half minutes later when he was hit by Garrett after throwing a deep incompletion. Siemian's toes pressed into the turf and his left leg twisted as he felt the brunt of the weight of his lower body plus Garrett's body weight falling on him.
Falk entered and drove the Jets to Sam Ficken's 46-yard field goal with 2:56 left in the half.
Seibert booted a 43-yard field out as time expired to give Cleveland a 16-3 half-time lead.
The big play to Beckham all but assured the Browns' victory. Cleveland were at their own 11-yard line when Mayfield hit a wide-open Beckham with a short throw at the 22. Beckham headed upfield and outran four New York secondary players with 3:32 left in the third quarter.
Beckham also made an acrobatic one-handed, 33-yard reception in the opening quarter to set up Seibert's first field goal.
The Browns host the Los Angeles Rams (2-0) in the early hours of Monday morning (1:20am), live on Sky Sports Action, in their second straight prime-time game.
The Jets travel to Foxboro to face AFC rivals the New England Patriots (2-0) on Sunday at 6pm.
