The Sports Xchange

Cleveland Browns (0-0) at New York Jets (0-0)

Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J. – TV: CBS

*TV announcers: Greg Gumbel, Trent Green, Jamie Erdahl

*Keys to the game: The Jets upgraded at wide receiver with Brandon Marshall and rookie speedster Devin Smith to team with Eric Decker. Those new toys were meant to improve life for QB Geno Smith, but he’s out with a broken jaw and the Jets are instead set to find out how much fight is left in veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick. Given the capable cover crew Cleveland brings to town, the Jets want to win with a conservative run-heavy attack with Chris Ivory, Bilal Powell and Zac Stacy rotating against the Browns’ stout front.

The Browns are onto the latest flavor of the day at quarterback themselves, tapping 34-year-old Josh McCown after he flamed out in Tampa Bay, and the supporting cast around him is not special compared to his last two stops (Buccaneers, Bears). With Smothers Brothers at cornerback to tiptoe around in Jets lockdown duo Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie, short, high-percentage passes are McCown’s goal. His running game won’t help, but Isaiah Crowell is decisive running inside and is aided by DE Sheldon Richardson sidelined due to suspension.

*Matchup to watch – Jets C Nick Mangold vs. Browns NT Danny Shelton: A first-round pick who didn’t play like a rookie this preseason, Shelton throws around serious tonnage (335 pounds) and surprising agility to carve through double-teams. He’s not satisfied to absorb blocks. Mangold is one of the best in the business, but the seasoned pro might need a hand to keep Shelton stonewalled.

*Player spotlight – Browns RB Duke Johnson: The rookie is small but explosive and could be a key component in the offense if he is deemed ready to play.

*Fast facts: The Browns have one win in a season opener since returning to the NFL in 1999. … Browns head coach Mike Pettine was defensive coordinator of the New York Jets from 2009-2012.

WHO WILL WIN AND WHY

The overaged quarterback that limits mistakes and avoids the teeth of two biting defenses prevails, but Ryan Fitzpatrick must overcome some trauma to steer the Jets to victory.

*Our pick: Jets 20-15.