4 winners (and 2 losers) from Jets' bounce-back victory over the Browns

The New York Jets entered Week 5 in the midst of a three-game losing streak, with a tough task at hand in the AFC North-leading Cleveland Browns. In what was likely a season-defining moment for Aaron Glenn and his team, they found a way to come out on top.

It wasn't perfect, and it certainly wasn't pretty, but the Jets found a way to pull out a victory in a game that was messy as it was wet in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Last week, after a listless loss to the Chicago Bears, we had four losers and two winners. After this much-needed victory, The Jet Press is going to try the opposite. Who stood out in the Jets' 17-12 victory? And who stood out-- but in a negative way?

4 winners and 2 losers from New York Jets' Week 5 victory

Winner: DE David Bailey

Other than Aaron Glenn (who we'll get to in a moment), there was no other Jet who needed a day like Sunday other than David Bailey. The No. 2 overall pick had been much maligned after a quiet two-week stretch and bounced back in a big way against the Browns.

Bailey is without a doubt back in Defensive Rookie of the Year conversations after a three-sack outing against Cleveland in Week 5. His nine individual pressures were the most by any rookie defender since Jared Verse in the 2024 season. Have yourself a day, rook.

Loser: OC Frank Reich

For the fourth week in a row, it continues to feel like the Jets have zero offensive identity, and it's hard not to feel like the blame falls on the shoulders of the offensive coordinator, Frank Reich.

The Jets aren't sure if they want to be a pass-first team or a run-first team, and when they get into move-the-ball situations at the end of halves, they routinely look like they have zero direction. That's not sustainable for a winning football team, and the Jets need to figure this out soon if they want to keep stacking wins.

Winner: RB Braelon Allen

Last week, Braelon Allen was thrust into lead running back duties thanks to an injury to usual starter Breece Hall. The game against Chicago got out of hand quickly, and Allen was unable to showcase what he's capable of as the featured piece of the running game. That was not the case in Week 5.

Despite calls for more touches given to Isaiah Davis, Allen received 24 carries and turned them into 116 yards and a touchdown, averaging 4.8 yards per carry. Even when Hall makes his return to the starting lineup, Allen has earned an increased role in the Jets offense.

Loser: QB Geno Smith

Geno Smith, after being a relatively good quarterback through the first four games of the Jets' season, has not been as good the last two weeks. His struggles could be chalked up to some underwhelming offensive line play and questionable play-calling, but it's still a bit disappointing.

His stat line of 17-of-30 passing for 180 yards and a touchdown looks fine on paper, but Smith routinely held the ball too long and was frustratingly conservative. Hopefully, it's just a two-week rough patch.

Winner: DT Darrell Jackson Jr.

An unsung hero of the Jets' impressive defensive line performance on Sunday was rookie defensive tackle Darrell Jackson Jr. Before the 2026 season, Jackson was supposed to be a developmental project with limited playing time in his first season. Injuries have created a bigger role for him.

Jackson was a physical presence up front for New York today. He recorded four tackles, one tackle for loss, one sack, and even batted down two passes at the line of scrimmage late in the fourth quarter. If he keeps playing like this, it will be hard for the Jets to keep him off the field.

Winner: HC Aaron Glenn

It's not hyperbole to say Glenn had his back against the wall heading into this game. After the Jets looked completely lifeless in Week 4 against the Bears, the fanbase was calling for their head coach's head. It wasn't perfect, but he answered the bell against the Browns.

As a defensive playcaller, this may have been Glenn's best outing yet. The Jets defense held the Browns offense to 198 yards and recorded eight sacks on Deshaun Watson. The penalties need to be cleaned up, but it's hard to find more to complain about after a win.

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