A 'No Excuse' Game for Browns? Can Rees Make a Difference? Week 10 Jets Preview

The Cleveland Browns head to MetLife Stadium to face the New York Jets in what many are calling a "no excuse" game for both struggling franchises. With the Browns at 2-6 and the Jets at 1-7, Sunday's matchup represents a crucial opportunity for both teams to salvage something from their disappointing 2025 campaigns.

The Tommy Rees Experiment

The biggest storyline heading into this matchup is undoubtedly the Browns' decision to hand over play-calling duties to offensive coordinator Tommy Rees. Head coach Kevin Stefanski, who had previously called the plays, made the announcement coming out of the team's bye week, marking the second consecutive season he's relinquished these duties.

Rees, who previously called plays at Alabama under Nick Saban, brings a different perspective to Cleveland's struggling offense. The Browns currently rank 28th in rushing (89.5 yards per game), 29th in passing (174.0 yards per game), and 30th in scoring (15.8 points per game). "Core offensive principles continue, but I have a different spin," Rees noted in his Thursday press conference.

For a Browns team that has struggled mightily on offense, this change represents both hope and desperation. As longtime Cleveland broadcaster Tony Rizzo suggested, a loss to the Jets could potentially seal Stefanski's fate, making this truly a "no excuse" game for the organization.

Jets at a Crossroads

New York enters this game having essentially waved the white flag on their season at the trade deadline. The Jets shipped off defensive cornerstones Sauce Gardner to the Indianapolis Colts and Quinnen Williams to the Dallas Cowboys, signaling a complete overhaul of their roster.

Despite the firesale, the Jets showed some life in their last game before the bye, picking up a 39-38 win at Cincinnati. Justin Fields will start at quarterback for New York, though coach Aaron Glenn remained non-committal about the starter throughout the week, keeping the Browns guessing.

The question remains: can a team that's trading away its best players truly compete, or are they simply going through the motions while eyeing the 2026 NFL Draft?

Key Matchups to Watch

Browns' Offensive Line vs. Jets' Defensive Front

Even without Quinnen Williams, the Jets' defensive front still presents challenges. The Browns' offensive line has struggled to protect Dillon Gabriel and create running lanes for their ground game. If Rees' new play-calling system is to succeed, it will start with improved line play.

Myles Garrett vs. Jets' Offensive Line

On the flip side, Browns' superstar defensive end Myles Garrett will be facing a Jets offensive line that's been inconsistent all season. Garrett has been the Browns' most consistent performer, and another dominant performance could be the difference in this game.

Receiving Corps Health

Cleveland is expecting a major boost with the return of wide receiver Cedric Tillman and rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr., both of whom are expected to play despite being listed as questionable. Their return should provide Gabriel with more weapons in the passing game.

What to Expect

Both teams are coming off bye weeks, so expect some new wrinkles in their respective game plans. For Cleveland, that means seeing Rees' vision for the offense in action. For New York, it means implementing a system that works with the pieces they have left.

The over/under for this game sits relatively low, reflecting the struggles both teams have had on offense. If the Browns can implement Rees' system effectively and the Jets continue to adjust to life without their traded stars, this could be a closer contest than the records suggest.

One thing is certain: with both teams essentially out of playoff contention, this game carries significant implications for job security, draft positioning, and organizational direction. It's a clash between two franchises searching for answers, with only one able to leave MetLife Stadium with a sense of progress.

Conclusion

Sunday's Browns-Jets matchup represents more than just a divisional clash—it's a referendum on two organizations' ability to find solutions in difficult circumstances. Whether Rees can provide the spark Cleveland needs, or if the Jets can build on their recent momentum, remains to be seen. But in a season filled with disappointment, both teams are desperately seeking a reason for optimism moving forward.

Game Details: Sunday, November 9, 2025, 1:00 PM ET at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ. Broadcast on CBS.