EAST RUTHERFORD — The Johnny Manziel magic didn’t last past halftime.
The Browns’ futility in season openers is alive and well.
The Browns were blanked in the second half and routed 31-10 by the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium.
The Browns stretched their NFL-record losing streak in openers to 11. They haven’t won since 2004.
Manziel replaced concussed starting quarterback Josh McCown in the second quarter, threw his first NFL touchdown pass and led two scoring drives for a 10-7 lead. The Jets took a 14-10 lead with 26 seconds left in the first half and never looked back.
Manziel was intercepted and lost two fumbles in the second half. He went 13-for-24 passing for 182 yards, a touchdown, an interception, two fumbles and a 75.3 rating. He rushed five times for 35 yards and had two long gains called back by penalty.
The Browns were done in by five turnovers and 12 penalties for 109 yards.
McCown fumbled on the goal line to end Cleveland’s first possession. He was injured on the play when he was drilled in the ear hole of his helmet by Jets linebacker Demario Davis.
Safety Tashaun Gipson fumbled after an interception to set up the Jets’ first touchdown. Then in the second half Manziel was careless with the ball. He was intercepted on a hook intended for receiver Brian Hartline, as cornerback Marcus Williams beat Hartline to the spot. Manziel later fumbled on sacks on back-to-back possessions.
The Cleveland defense wasn’t helped by the field position, but it wasn’t good. No. 1 cornerback Joe Haden was beat often by receiver Brandon Marshall, including a 1-yard touchdown, as Marshall caught six passes for 62 yards.
The run defense, which was supposed to be greatly improved after ranking last last season, allowed 154 yards in rookie nose tackle Danny Shelton’s debut.
The Browns planned to run the ball to take pressure off McCown, but couldn’t against a stout Jets defense. Isaiah Crowell ran 12 times for 20 yards, the quarterbacks were the leading rushers and the team totaled 104 yards.
Receiver Travis Benjamin was a bright spot. He caught a 54-yard touchdown from Manziel and finished with three catches for 89 yards.
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