NFL Preseason Schedule Underway at Hall of Fame Game
The National Football League 2023 season is underway! Albeit preseason fashion, the Hall of Fame Game was last night in Canton, Ohio, as the New York Jets and Cleveland Browns played in the Hall of Fame Game. This is the 104th season of the National Football League.
The Cleveland Browns came from behind to win the game 21-16 over the Jets. The offense started slow, with just two field goals in the first quarter. Greg Zuerlein kicked two field goals, while the Browns missed a field goal in the quarter. The Browns committed a turnover late in the quarter to set up the second field goal. Zach Wilson started the game under center for the Jets and finished 3 of 5 passing for 65 yards.
In the second quarter, Isaiah Abanikanda scored a rushing touchdown in the second quarter to put the Jets ahead 13-0 in the game. Cleveland drove down the field late in the half and punched a touchdown in just before the end. Kellen Mond threw a touchdown pass to John Kelly to make it 13-7. Mond finished the half 14 of 20 for 92 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. The Jets got a long kick return and a quick pass and finished with a third field goal from Zuerlein to take a 16-7 lead.
Second Half Action
The second half went to the Browns. Dorian Thompson-Robinson was solid under center as the quarterback and led Cleveland to two second-half touchdowns. The first touchdown was a Demetric Felton rush touchdown from 10 yards out. Then – early in the fourth quarter, Thompson-Robinson threw a touchdown pass to Austin Watkins to give the Browns a 21-16 lead.
After a Jets drive failed, the Browns got the ball back, and Dorian Thompson-Robinson moved the chains enough to bleed the clock down to 2:18 before punting it away. A great punt return got the Jets close to midfield. A pass interference on the Browns on the first play helped Chris Streveler move closer. But that’s where the drive failed, with a fourth down interception by the Browns to seal the game.
Final Stats
The Browns finished the game with 159 rushing yards, with Felton leading the way with 46 yards on seven carries. For the Jets, Malik Taylor 57 yards reception was the biggest chunk of yardage of the game.
Hall of Fame Weekend Continues
Saturday is the day the guys get inducted into the Hall of Fame. This will also take place at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio starting at noon Eastern Time.
The list of guys that will be inducted into the Hall of Fame this weekend includes:
Ronde Barber
Don Coryell
Chuck Howley
Joe Klecko
Darrelle Revis
Ken Riley
Joe Thomas
Zach Thomas
DeMarcus Ware
Preseason Goes Hot and Heavy
Preseason Week 1 will get started next Thursday – August 10th, with a pair of games. The Houston Texans will take on the New England Patriots, and the Minnesota Vikings will battle the Seattle Seahawks.
Then, on Friday – there will be a six-pack of preseason games. The New York Giants are at the Detroit Lions, Pittsburgh Steelers are at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Green Bay is at Cincinnati, Atlanta on the road at Miami, Washington at Cleveland, and the Denver Broncos play at Arizona.
Saturday is another six-pack of games. The Indianapolis Colts are at the Buffalo Bills, Tennessee at Chicago, the Jets will go to Carolina, Jaguars at Cowboys, the Eagles are in Baltimore to take on the Ravens, and the Chargers and Rams will stay in Los Angeles to play.
Finally, Sunday sees the Kansas City Chiefs at the New Orleans Saints and the San Francisco 49ers at the Las Vegas Raiders.
The first regular season game is on Thursday, September 7th, 2023. This includes the Detroit Lions on the road at the defending Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs.
