Instant analysis after Jets complete insane comeback against Browns
Unbelievable. What can you say after that? What a wild game as the Jets come back from two scores down in under two minutes to shock the Browns, 31-30, to move to 1-1. Here’s some quick notes from the game.
Quick Hits
Holy you-know-what. What a comeback. 14 points in less than two minutes. When Nick Chubb scored to put the Browns up 30-14, the Jets were outgained in the fourth quarter 136-8. The rest, as they say, is history.
The Jets made it interesting after Corey Davis blew through the Browns secondary and was wide open for a 66-yard touchdown. And they recovered the onside kick! Then, of course, the game-winning score to Wilson from 15 yards out. Ashtyn Davis picked off Jacoby Brissett to seal the deal and give the Jets their first win of the season.
Offense looked much, much better overall. Mike LaFleur finally let his new weapon, Wilson, loose and he was able to win all over the field, on the outside, in the slot. The Jets certainly answered the call to get their first-round pick more action and it paid off and then some.
Another positive for the Jets was in the red zone. The Jets scored on three of their four trips to the red zone, including the game-winner.
Much, much better on third down. After going just 2/14 on third downs against the Ravens, the Jets were 8/15 against the Browns.
Tyler Conklin with his second fumble of the season already, one that almost killed the Jets’ hopes of winning the game. Fortunately, Max Mitchell was on top of it to keep the Jets alive. Boy, does that recovery look huge now.
Defense, for the most part, had another solid day. Held Cleveland to just 60 rushing yards at the half and only 116 yards rushing for the game. They started looking gassed in the fourth quarter and the Browns offense simply marched the field on them and the Jets had no answer.
But with about five minutes left, the Jets forced three straight negative plays by the Browns, including a sack by Carl Lawson on third down. In the end, Chubb became too much for the Jets and he willed the Browns to victory with three touchdowns and a key third-down conversion with about three minutes left and then putting the icing on the cake with a 12-yard touchdown. Or so we thought…
Redemption for Greg Zuerlein and a spot in Jets history. His 57-yard field goal was tied for the longest in franchise history. Chandler Catanzaro also had a 57-yarder in 2017. But even bigger, the game-winning extra point.
Key Stat
8/102/2: Seriously, what else could it be? That was Garrett Wilson’s stat line in what was his breakout game. After hardly seeing the field in Week 1, the Jets answered the call to use Wilson more. Looks like they’ll continue to use him. Good things happen when playmakers have the ball in their hands.
Game Balls
Garrett Wilson: See above. Enough said.
Joe Flacco: What a turnaround from last week. Flacco had time to throw and he let his weapons do the dirty work. He looked more comfortable and made the big throws when needed. A second straight 300-yard game for Flacco.
Top Takeaway
The Jets found the receipts: You talk about resiliency and answering the call. The Jets responded incredibly after their Week 1 performance. They kept the game close in the fourth quarter, which was a huge improvement from last week. But to win a game in that fashion? Maybe these aren’t the same old Jets. And one has to wonder how much better the offense can be once Zach Wilson finally returns. Regardless, this was the type of explosive offense we expected coming into the season. And that’s a great win on the road in Cleveland. Huge momentum heading into next week against the defending AFC champion Cincinnati Bengals.
