EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Starting quarterback Josh McCown didn’t make it through the first quarter, leaving with a concussion.
Backup quarterback Johnny Manziel threw an interception and fumbled twice in the second half, turning his surprisingly strong first half into a distant memory.
Cleveland totaled five turnovers to set up 21 New York Jets points and was penalized 12 times for 109 yards.
The Browns lost an NFL-record 11th straight opener Sunday, a 31-10 embarrassment to the Jets at MetLife Stadium.
The Browns have lost 16 of 17 openers since returning in 1999. They’ve played a lot of ugly games during the stretch, and this one fit right in.
“It’s a disappointing way to open the season,” said coach Mike Pettine, who suffered his sixth straight loss dating to last year’s last-season collapse. “To me, there are no words to express that. You invest so much in the opener. You prepare for it, you overprepare for it, and to lose the way we did, it’s difficult to swallow it.”
McCown became the 23rd quarterback to start for the Browns since 1999. His only possession lasted 17 plays and 9:59 and covered 90 yards.
He needed 91, and the extra yard was one of the turning points.
McCown took off through a huge opening on third-and-goal from the 14. He dived for the goal line from about the 3, was hit by safety
Calvin Pryor and the ball came loose at about the 1.
Linebacker Demario Davis then stuck his helmet into the ear hole of McCown’s, spinning him around in midair. Jets cornerback Antonio
Cromartie recovered the fumble in the end zone, and McCown was done for the day.
Pettine had discussed McCown’s recklessness with his body during the preseason, and his fear was realized.
“It’s a quarterback who’s running towards the goal line and has a chance to score a touchdown,” Pettine said. “I don’t know how you coach a competitor, a real football player, to slide there.”
“You admire the toughness but you’re going to have to tell him, ‘You’re more important on the field to us than off the field and let us get the touchdown on the next play or the first down on the next play,’” left tackle Joe Thomas said.
Manziel provided a temporary spark with a 54-yard touchdown to receiver Travis Benjamin, who ran right past Cromartie. A lucky completion to receiver Brian Hartline — the desperation throw was too high for tight end Gary Barndige but Hartline grabbed it with one hand from his knees — led to a 26-yard Travis Coons field goal and a 10-7 lead with 2:46 left in the half.
That was the last of the highlights for the Browns.
Ryan Fitzpatrick (15-for-24, 179 yards, two touchdowns, one interception, zero sacks, 95.7 rating) led a crisp, composed touchdown drive that ended with 26 seconds left in the half on a 15-yard post to Eric Decker with nickelback K’Waun Williams in coverage. The Jets entered halftime with a 14-10 lead and it only got bigger as coach Todd Bowles won his debut.
The Browns lost last year’s opener at Pittsburgh on a last-second field goal after rallying from a 27-3 halftime deficit. This year’s second half matched last year’s first half.
Manziel had three turnovers and no points. He finished 13-for-24 for 182 yards, a touchdown, an interception, two fumbles, three sacks and a 75.3 rating. He had barely practiced in three weeks with a sore elbow, only returning to throwing last Monday.
“First and foremost, you can’t turn the ball over,” Manziel said.
The run defense didn’t look any better than last year’s last-ranked unit, even with No. 12 pick Danny Shelton at nose tackle, allowing 112 of New York’s 154 rushing yards after halftime. Chris Ivory ran with power and attitude for 91 yards, two touchdowns and a 4.6 average on 20 carries.
“They started to impose their will and had their way,” safety Tashaun Gipson said. “They out-physicaled us in every dimension.”
The Cleveland run offense was nonexistent. Manziel led the way with five scrambles for 35 yards — he had two long gains called back by penalty — and McCown was second with three for 23. Isaiah Crowell carried 12 times for 20 yards (1.7 average) and rookie Duke Johnson seven for 22 (3.1).
The Browns haven’t won since Nov. 23, and this was the most lopsided loss in an opener since 34-7 at home to Pittsburgh in 2007. The
Browns traded starting quarterback Charlie Frye the next day and went on to win 10 of the final 15 games.
The Browns could very well have a new starting quarterback next Sunday in the home opener vs. rookie quarterback Marcus Mariota and the Tennessee Titans. McCown entered the league’s concussion protocol and must be cleared before he can return to the field.
McCown, 36, had taken nearly every snap with the starters since he was signed in February. He had taken ownership of the offense and earned the respect of his teammates.
To lose him so early in the season was unexpected and difficult.
“That’s football,” receiver Andrew Hawkins said. “Unfortunately that comes along with the territory. I don’t think anyone plans on their starting quarterback going out in the first drive. But we have to adjust.”
The failure was a complete team effort.
The offensive line didn’t open holes in the run game, and Alex Mack, John Greco, Mitchell Schwartz and Joel Bitonio were called for penalties.
No. 1 cornerback Joe Haden allowed Brandon Marshall five catches for 56 yards, including a 1-yard touchdown, and Chris Owusu beat him for a 43-yard completion.
Safety Donte Whitner and linebacker Karlos Dansby missed tackles on big plays. The pass rush couldn’t beat Fitzpatrick’s quick release.
And the best play by the defense led to a Jets touchdown. Safety Tashaun Gipson intercepted Fitzpatrick, but as he tried for a big return, Marshall ripped away the ball. Ivory scored from 10 yards two plays later to tie the game at 7.
“It was poor ball security,” Gipson said. “That play really shifted the momentum of the game.”
The Browns had hoped taking the field for the anticipated opener would calm the distractions of the previous week. General manager Ray
Farmer started his suspension, offensive line coach Andy Moeller was suspended indefinitely for an alleged assault, running back Terrance
West was traded, receiver Terrelle Pryor was waived and cornerback Justin Gilbert crashed his car in a road rage incident.
The loss to an average-looking Jets team only added to the noise. With the wailing of the fans turned up a few notches.
“There’s always adversity and for a guy like myself who’s been here nine years, stuff happens every year and you’ve got to be able to fight through it,” Thomas said. “It’s the mental-toughness side of the game. You’ve got to be ready to play no matter what happens.”
“It’s the first game. Bounce back. We’ve got a few more,” Dansby said. “We’re behind the eight-ball now, we’ve got to get going.”
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