Allen has late 22-yard TD run and Jets' defense, special teams come up big in 17-12 win over Browns
Context:
In a rain-soaked game at MetLife, the Jets snapped a three-game skid by beating the Browns 17-12 as Braelon Allen's 22-yard run for the go-ahead touchdown capped a late rally after a fumbled punt snap set up the score. New York leaned on a disruptive defense and timely special-teams play, including a crucial strip-sack by Will McDonald on Deshaun Watson to seal the win. Geno Smith connected on a first-drive TD to Garrett Wilson, while Allen ultimately piled up 116 rushing yards on 24 carries to fuel the comeback. The victory preserves momentum for a Jets team still navigating inconsistency, with next weeks’ road test at New England while Cleveland heads to Baltimore.
Dive Deeper:
Braelon Allen broke the tie with a 22-yard touchdown run late in the fourth after the Jets recovered a fumbled punt snap in rain-soaked conditions, giving New York a 17-12 lead with 3:01 remaining.
New York’s defense pressured Deshaun Watson all game, with rookie David Bailey recording three of the Jets’ eight sacks and Will McDonald sealing the win with a fourth-down strip-sack on Watson just before the final kneel-downs.
Geno Smith led an opening scoring drive that ended with a touchdown pass to Garrett Wilson, who finished with seven receptions for 104 yards, while Allen contributed a 116-yard rushing performance on 24 carries.
The Browns took a late lead after Watson connected with Denzel Boston for a 29-yard TD, with Andre Szmyt missing an extra point that would have extended Cleveland’s edge.
Key turnovers defined the middle portion of the game: a fumble forced by Quincy Williams on a Browns drive, and a strip-sack sequence that halted Cleveland’s momentum in the fourth quarter.
Cleveland’s other scoring came from a pair of field goals by Szmyt in the second quarter, while New York added a 54-yard field goal early in the fourth to stretch the lead.
Injuries: Browns RB Raheim Sanders left the fourth with a hip issue, and Jets Sadiq left late with a head injury; the game featured a heavy rain effect from remnants of Hurricane Isaias.