By admin 
It rained all game at MetLife Stadium, but it didn’t stop the New York Jets defense from pulling out a win that they sorely needed.
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The Jets beat the Cleveland Browns 17-12 in a game played in a steady rain that intensified in the fourth quarter. It was a back-and-forth slugfest, the type of game that would have seen both teams covered in mud if they played this game on grass.
In the end, thanks to Jets edge David Bailey channeling the ghost of Verlon Biggs for 3 sacks, Braelon Allen rushing for a career-high 116 yards, and receiver Garrett Wilson defying the elements for 7 catches and 104 yards, the Jets triumphed.
One thing the Jets have to clean up is their propensity for penalties. They had 10 penalties for 102 yards, a stat that might have cost them the game in most weeks. They also need better protection for quarterback Geno Smith, who suffered four sacks, as the Browns’ Malik Collins beat up right guard Joe Tippmann the whole game.
Obviously, the elements were a crucial factor in the game. Both sides lost two fumbles, and there were numerous dropped passes. There was also a bad snap by the Browns that led the Jets to their final touchdown, a 22-yard rumble by Allen.
The Jets held Cleveland’s total offense under 200 yards, but couldn’t really breathe easy until the clock hit zero, as Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson kept finding ways to wriggle out of disaster.
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Jets quarterback Smith didn’t have a superstar game, and lost a big fumble when he was blindsided by a clean Browns rusher. But he hung in there and went 17-30 with a touchdown pass, keeping the Jets in the game.
It was the Jets defense that spoke loudly. In addition to Bailey’s monster game, they had five other sacks. Jarvis Brownlee Jr., who just passed the NFL concussion protocol, had a big game. He had six tackles, a sack and a quarterback hit, as head coach Aaron Glenn kept the pressure on Watson.
It was also a day for unsung heroes for the Jets. Newly activated wide receiver Tim Patrick had two big catches, and just-returned-from-injury tight end Mason Taylor had three grabs. There was even a sighting of running back Isaiah Davis, who had two carries for eight yards in his first real action of the season.
In the end, it wasn’t pretty, but the Jets will take it. They now head into a big divisional game against New England next Sunday with renewed confidence borne of a 2-3 record. It was a good win against a quality opponent and laid to rest any lingering stench from the wipeout loss to the Chicago Bears last week.
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This story was originally published October 11, 2026 at 2:06 PM.