Jets Quarterback Justin Fields Struggles but Hall’s Big Play Secures Win Against Browns
Jets quarterback Justin Fields had a rough outing against the Cleveland Browns, but he managed to deliver one crucial play in the fourth quarter. Under heavy pressure, Fields dumped the ball off to running back Breece Hall, who turned it into a spectacular 42-yard touchdown. This score broke a 17-17 tie and gave the Jets the lead.
The Jets extended their advantage to 27-17 with a field goal before the Browns narrowed the gap to seven points. In the closing moments, the Browns kicked deep, hoping to force a punt, but defensive lapses ensured the Jets’ lead held up.
With just under two minutes left, and facing a third-and-long from the Jets’ 39-yard line, Browns linebacker Devin Bush was flagged for holding on a play that ended with Fields sliding for a short loss. The Jets then faced a 4th-and-5 with a minute remaining and lined up to try and draw the Browns offside before punting. Defensive lineman Cameron Thomas obliged, giving the Jets the advantage and wrapping up a 27-20 victory.
This win marks the Jets’ second straight victory, and Breece Hall’s strong second half was pivotal. Hall rushed for 96 yards in the final 30 minutes—a significant contribution given the Jets totaled only 169 yards for the entire game. Outside of the play that led to Hall’s touchdown, Fields was just 5-of-10 passing for 12 yards.
Special teams also played a vital role in keeping the Jets in the game. Kene Nwangwu returned a kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown, and Isaiah Williams took a punt 74 yards to the house, helping the Jets jump out to an early 14-7 lead.
The Browns fought back to tie the game at 17-17 by halftime but were ultimately hampered by their quarterback struggles. Dillon Gabriel threw two touchdown passes that looked good on paper but missed several receivers by wide margins throughout the game. Additionally, Gabriel was sacked six times, with Jets defensive end Will McDonald accounting for four of those sacks. McDonald now has seven sacks on the season, and the Jets’ defense showcased resilience despite recent trades involving cornerback Sauce Gardner and defensive tackle Quinnen Williams.
Looking ahead, the Jets aim to make it three consecutive wins as they head to New England for a Thursday night clash. Meanwhile, the 2-7 Browns will seek to secure their first home victory of the season against the Baltimore Ravens.
https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/jets-beat-browns-27-20-for-their-second-straight-win