The New York Jets(1-1) got an improbable win in Cleveland(1-1) against the Browns on Sunday. Down 30-17 with just under two minutes left in the game, the jets fought back.
First, it started with a busted coverage from the Browns as Joe Flacco connected with Corey Davis on a 66-yard touchdown. Then, Justin Hardee recovered Braden Mann’s onside kick. From there, they would go 53 yards in nine plays, which ended with a 15-yard Garrett Wilson touchdown reception from Flacco.
Finally, the Jets sealed the victory when Ashtyn Davis intercepted Jacoby Brissett’s pass on the Bronws’ final drive.
“For sure. I do not know where it ranks, but it is up there,” said Flacco about whether this was the craziest ending to a game in his career. “Look, at one point, you’re sitting on the bench, and they have the opportunity to run the clock out. Obviously, when he scores, you are thinking, okay, that is not what he is supposed to do. But I am sure they were still thinking, ‘okay, it is 30-17.’ That play to CD (Jets WR Corey Davis) obviously quieted the crowd a little bit. You have to give credit to the guys on the sideline, the guys that were in this game.”
Jets coach Robert Saleh was happy with the way his guys fought and glad to get a win.
“You can hear it. We’re off the snide. I love the way this feels,” he said. “[We have to] find a way to stack them up. There is a lot of stuff that we have to clean up, but I’m just proud of the guys because we didn’t quit. That’s probably the biggest thing that I’ll take away from it.”
The comeback would not have been possible if Browns running back Nick Chubb had just gone to the ground instead of scoring what appeared to be the game-clinching touchdown. Additionally, Browns kicker Cade York would miss the extra point.
“Yeah, you know what, that’s going to be one that shows up on Friday for us as teachable moments,” said Saleh about Chubb’s touchdown. “I’m sure (Browns Head Coach Kevin) Coach Stefanski is very, very detailed. I’m sure that’s in their vocabulary, and I’m sure it’s just one of those moments. They scored, and the echo on the headset was that they gave us a chance; let’s see what happens.”
Wilson added: “As soon as Chubb scored. Coach said, ‘they just gave us our only chance.’ We go down 30-17, and then (Jets WR Corey Davis) CD has a quick touchdown. At that point, we are all believing. Now we are going to get this onside kick. As soon as they scored, we were like, ‘Oh, that is kind of quick; we still have a shot at this.”
Throughout the week, many called for Saleh to bench Flacco, but to the 15-year veteran’s credit, he had a solid performance as he was 26/44 for 307 yards and four touchdowns on Sunday. Despite everything, Saleh still trusts Flacco.
“Joe is 37 years old; he has been in this league a long time,” Saleh said. “He has seen the worst of times and the best of times. He knows that last week wasn’t his best game. You just trust that a guy like Joe, who has been in this league long enough, will rebound. You knew that he will take care of the football and that he would get the ball where it needed to go and give ourselves a chance.”
You can say the Jets got lucky against the Browns, but good teams make their own luck. Not to say the Jets are a good team. However, they beat a good team on the road, which could be something to build on.
