NFL Hall of Fame Game: 5 biggest takeaways from Browns' comeback win over Jets feat. Dorian Thompson-Robinson’s dominant outing

At long last, the 2023 NFL season began with the NFL Hall of Fame Game. From quarterbacks Dorian Thompson-Robinson to Zach Wilson, there were many highlights and takeaways from the game.

Former Browns offensive lineman Joe Thomas and former Jets defenders Darrelle Revis and Joe Klecko were part of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023 and got cheered by the fans throughout the night.

DeMarcus Ware was also part of the inducted class and he brought a lump in watcher's throats as he sang a beautiful rendition of the national anthem in memory of Demaryius Thomas. It was as jovial an atmosphere there could be before the Hall of Fame Game began.

Here are five main takeaways from the game:

#1 - Dorian Thompson-Robinson shines in Hall of Fame Game

Deshaun Watson is the designated starter for the Cleveland Browns in the upcoming season. But in the Hall of Fame game, as was expected, it was his backup who took to the field. And the rookie quarterback did not disappoint.

Dorian Thompson-Robinson went eight of 11 in passing attempts for 82 yards and a touchdown, while also completing six rushing attempts for 37 yards on the ground. The rookie out of UCLA showed his dual-threat abilities and also his strength when he proved a solid blocker for another Browns touchdown.

.@Browns QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson out here throwing blocks 😤 @DoriansTweets

📺: @ProFootballHOF Game on NBC
📱: Stream on NFL+ bit.ly/3UbqGy6 pic.twitter.com/jJvF2QPDNz

It shows that there is a solid player there who can sit and fill in if Deshaun Watson is unavailable at any point during the season. After Jacoby Brissett filled in for the starter when he was suspended by the NFL, letting him go to the Washington Commanders could have come back to bite the Browns.

With Dorian Thompson-Robinson's performance in the Hall of Fame game, such doubts can be assuaged a little.

#2 - Zach Wilson shows signs of improvement

Zach Wilson has had a torrid ride in the NFL. However, if the Hall of Fame game is anything to go by, the now-backup quarterback for the New York Jets has improved from his previous performances.

He looked more confident as he led the first three drives and went 3-5 for 65 yards. One of his passes was a deep 57-yarder to Malik Taylor that set up the first field goal of the season.

.@ZachWilson DEEP to @Taylor12Malik!!

📺 @ProFootballHOF on NBC pic.twitter.com/kEnVnzlH7n

It shows that the young quarterback might be benefitting from playing with Aaron Rodgers. People often underestimate how important getting that guidance from top players can be.

Think of Rodgers himself sitting behind Brett Favre and watching, Tom Brady backing up Drew Bledsoe and Patrick Mahomes biding his time behind Alex Smith.

Getting to learn from a future Hall-of-Famer seems to doing Zach Wilson a world of good.

#3 - Greg Zuerlein and Will McDonald are bright spots for the New York Jets

Will McDonald IV was selected by the Jets in the first round. There was much consternation in the fanbase with the decision as they thought that the team would fortify the offensive line around Rodgers.

But the rookie out of Iowa State showed some glimpses of why he was selected so high. In one particularly brilliant spin move in the third quarter, with the Browns sitting pretty on 3rd-and-2, he put enough pressure on the quarterback to force a punt.

watch 99 @WILL_JUN1OR

📺@ProFootballHOF Game on NBC pic.twitter.com/siOD3K7x3t

Another bright spot for the Jets was Greg Zuerlein. The veteran kicker got the scoring for this season underway and reminded us why he is a former Pro Bowler.

He was nerveless in the first half, kicking two field goals of over 50 yards. Given how important special teams can be in deciding the outcomes of games, he might prove to be an asset to the team later in the season in tight games.

#4 - Expect the Cleveland Browns to run this season

Remember when Baker Mayfield was the starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns and passes were going astray towards the end? Even then, the likes of Nick Chubb, Kareem Hunt and D'Ernest Johnson were putting up great rushing yards numbers.

It shows that Kevin Stefanski likes to run the ball when he gets the opportunity. Chubb is still with the team and his understudies, Demetric Felton and John Kelly Jr., impressed enough during this game to show that running could be a key component of the Browns gameplan going forward.

Felton had 46 yards on seven carries, the highest of any player on the pitch. Kelly rushed for 42 yards on 10 carries and also caught four of five passes for 27 yards.

sheesh that's a crafty cutback

📺: @ProFootballHOF game on NBC pic.twitter.com/paQ5cVRa6H

With Deshaun Watson and Dorian Thomposon-Robinson both showing running ability as quarterbacks, the Browns could be favorites to pick up some yards on the ground.

#5 - It's still pre-season, folks!

With all the takeaways from the Hall of Fame Game listed above, another thing we should not forget is that this is still preseason. Neither team is expected to line up this way when the regular season starts. There were sloppy plays and boneheaded penalties, showing the rust still remained as the teams continue to sharpen ahead of the new season.

The @Browns win the 2023 @ProFootballHOF game! #PFHOF23 pic.twitter.com/FUV713l78M

While the Browns defeated the Jets 21-16 in the end, it is fair to say that nobody should read too much into this game as it pertains to how they will perform once competitive matches roll in.

The Las Vegas Raiders defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 27-11 last time around in the Hall of Fame Game. Only one of them made it to the playoffs last season and it was not the winner.