Jets' defense turned desperation into a statement win over Browns

Set aside the teams and quarterbacks involved, and it’s hard not to praise the New York Jets for Sunday’s surprising victory over the Cleveland Browns.

Although the Jets closed as 2.5-point home favorites, they entered play riding a three-game losing streak amid mounting questions about Aaron Glenn’s job security. On the other side, you had a Browns team that sat alone atop the AFC North and had already proven they knew how to “win ugly,” as ex-Panthers coach Ron Rivera once called it.

Shows what we know. Nearly a week after Rex Ryan challenged their effort and player development, David Bailey and an aggressive Jets defense resembled the teams Ryan twice led to the AFC Championship Game. 

New York Jets’ defense dominated an inconsistent Cleveland Browns offense

Bailey will rightfully be the marquee story in the next few days after recording three sacks, seven tackles, and four quarterback hits in the 17-12 win. That said, the defense, as an overall unit, deserves all the flowers after holding Cleveland to under 200 yards of total offense.

Regardless of where you looked, someone on the Jets’ defense was making plays. Not only did the Jets tally eight sacks, but they broke up seven passes and hit Watson 13 times. Everyone from defensive backs Dane Belton and Jarvis Brownlee Jr. to embattled pass-rusher Will McDonald IV got in on the fun. 

Offseason addition T’Vondre Sweat finally notched his first tackle for loss, and rookie defensive lineman Darrell Jackson Jr. had a sack and broke up two passes. Where was this defense in last week’s humiliating loss to the Bears?

“I think AG made it a point throughout the week that we wanted to make the quarterback uncomfortable,” veteran safety Minkah Fitzpatrick said. “We wanted to smash the run.”

Indeed, the Jets held Browns running back Quinshon Judkins to 3.1 yards per attempt on 14 carries. Although the Browns averaged four yards per carry, their 96 rushing yards are inflated by a Watson 20-yard scramble. 

Whether the Browns overachieved during their three-game winning streak is irrelevant. Sunday afternoon had all the makings of another crushing Jets loss, especially after Watson and rookie Denzel Boston connected on a go-ahead 29-yard score with 6:15 left. 

But if what we watched on Sunday bodes well for the coming weeks, then maybe it’s not tomorrow yet, after all. The Jets still have two games left against the woeful Dolphins, and winnable games against the Raiders and Chargers loom ahead of their Week 13 bye. 

The bad news: the Jets also play the Patriots, Chiefs, and Bills in that span.

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