New York Jets beat Cleveland Browns: Week 5 Defensive grades

CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 08: Marcus Maye #26 of the New York Jets makes an interception against the Cleveland Browns in the second quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium on October 8, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 08: Marcus Maye #26 of the New York Jets makes an interception against the Cleveland Browns in the second quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium on October 8, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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The New York Jets walked into FirstEnergy Stadium on Sunday to take on the Cleveland Browns, and when they left, they were victorious 17-14.

The New York Jets defense is the main reason this team is in a three-way tie for first place after their Week 5 matchup with the Cleveland Browns. For the Jets Sunday, it was actually the epitome of bend but don’t break defense.

The job of an NFL defense is similar to the job of an MLB pitcher. Both of them must keep the other team from scoring. Yards are like hits in a way. It doesn’t really matter how many yards you give up in a game, if in that game, the yards you’ve given up amount to no points on the scoreboard.

Well, in this case, the Jets defense did just that. Similarly to a pitcher giving up back-to-back singles, then walking the bases loaded, and striking out the following three hitters, the Jets defense did allow the Browns 22 first downs, 417 yards, and they allowed a 6-14 conversion rate on third down.

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Additionally, they allowed the Browns to enter the red zone three times, and in those trips, they were inside the Jets 10-yard line. However, the Jets forced three Browns turnovers in those trips (one on downs, one fumble, and one interception).

After allowing the Browns to gain 6.0 yards per play, and move the ball up and down the field, looking up at the scoreboard and seeing 14 points is a victory. The only bad thing about the Jets defense was they only got one sack against one of the league’s worst offensive lines. That’s the reason for the Browns ability to move the ball.

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It was a good day for the Jets defense. No matter how you slice it, keeping a team off the scoreboard is good, given the way the Browns moved the ball.

Week 5 Defensive Grade: A-