EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Demario Davis has seen a lot in his 15 NFL seasons. So when the New York Jets linebacker makes a declarative statement, it holds some weight.
This time, it might also raise some eyebrows.
Braelon Allen ran 22 yards for the go-ahead touchdown late in the fourth quarter after New York recovered a fumbled punt snap, and the Jets ended a three-game skid with a 17-12 victory over the Cleveland Browns on a rain-soaked Sunday.
“I would go as far as to say this was a historic win for this organization,” Davis said.
Whoa.
Rookie David Bailey had three of New York’s eight sacks of Deshaun Watson, and Geno Smith had a touchdown pass to Garrett Wilson on the first drive for the Jets (2-3), who ended the Browns’ three-game winning streak.
Cleveland (3-2) had a final chance with 1:41 left and no timeouts. But New York’s defense, as it did all game, stiffened and sealed it when Will McDonald had a strip-sack of Watson on fourth down and recovered the fumble.
“You're talking about a team that had lost the last three games and when you're going through that type of adversity, it can weigh on you,” Davis said. “It can weigh on you emotionally, it can weigh on your faith, it can weigh on your belief. And it can weigh on an organization that has historically been disappointed.”
Davis said the Jets didn't waver or flinch. Even though it looked as if they might be headed toward another tough loss.
“A good team win,” coach Aaron Glenn said. “Every part had some bright moments.”
Smith finished 17 of 30 for 182 yards and the TD to Wilson, who had seven catches for 104 yards, and Allen ran for 116 yards and the winning touchdown on 24 carries.
This one wasn't pretty, with a steady rain falling throughout as the remnants of Hurricane Isaias blew through the Northeast. But the struggling Jets were able to bounce back after giving up a fourth-quarter lead.
“That’s the feeling we’re hunting every weekend,” Wilson said. “It felt good.”
Watson, who was 15 of 33 for 155 yards, threw a 29-yard touchdown pass to rookie Denzel Boston to give the Browns their first advantage. Andre Szmyt missed the extra point, putting Cleveland up 12-10 with 6:15 left.
The Browns got the ball back moments later when Carson Schwesinger sacked Smith, and Adin Huntington recovered the fumble.
The Jets forced a three-and-out and then their special teams came through when a high snap from Cleveland's Rex Sunahara went through punter Corey Bojorquez's hands — perhaps with an assist from the rain — and bounced behind him as several players chased after it and Trevin Wallace recovered for New York.
“The ball was wet the whole game,” Browns coach Todd Monken said. “Is that a part of it? Probably. Is that a part of some of the drops? Probably. Is that a part of some of the ball security? Probably. But we both had to play in it.”
Three plays later, Allen took a handoff, found a crease off the left side and scooted 22 yards for a touchdown that put the Jets ahead with 3:01 remaining and sent the poncho-wearing fans in the MetLife Stadium stands into a frenzy.
The Jets forced a three-and-out on the Browns' first drive — notable after Chicago had no punts against New York last Sunday in a 23-12 win.
“I give those guys all the credit in the world,” Glenn said. “They flushed whatever happened last week and they moved on to this week.”
Smith and the offense went to work quickly and Wilson capped an efficient opening drive by taking a short pass, making a pretty spin move out of a tackle attempt by Ronnie Hillman and scoring a 32-yard touchdown.
The Browns were driving on their second possession and facing first-and-10 from the Jets 25 when Watson threw a deep pass to KC Concepcion, who appeared to make a catch — just as Minkah Fitzpatrick put a crushing hit on the receiver, making contact with his helmet and causing the ball to drop.
Concepcion went face down on the turf and appeared to be unconscious. The rookie first-round draft pick eventually walked off under his own power but was quickly ruled out.
“I saw him after the game. He was in good spirits,” said Monken, who said he assumed Concepcion is in the concussion protocol.
Szmyt kicked a 25-yard field goal on that drive and added a 41-yarder early in the second quarter to make it 7-6.
The Jets appeared on their way to adding to their lead with just under six minutes left in the third when Kenyon Sadiq caught a 6-yard pass, but Quincy Williams — against his former team — forced a fumble that Hickman recovered at the Cleveland 7.
New York scored for the first time since its opening drive on Jason Sanders' 54-yard field goal 23 seconds into the fourth quarter, putting the Jets up 10-6.
Browns: RB Raheim Sanders (hip) and RT Tytus Howard (knee) left in the fourth quarter.
Jets: Glenn said Sadiq is in the concussion protocol after he was injured on his fumble.
Browns: Host Baltimore next Sunday.
Jets: Play at New England next Sunday.
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