Jets vs. Browns: Highlights, game tracker and more

The New York Jets faced the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, Oct. 8 in Week 5 of the 2017 NFL season. Here are highlights from the game.

This game looked pretty rough when schedule makers released the games for the 2017 NFL season. Shockingly enough, there would actually be one pretty solid team (or so it appeared) on the field when the New York Jets go to Ohio and play the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium.

If you came into this game expecting offense to be ugly, then this was certainly the first half for you. The Jets started their first two drives with three-and-outs, highlighted by Garrett getting his first sack on his first NFL snap. However, DeShone Kizer and the Browns weren’t much better as they lost three yards when they went three-and out. Even worse, after 13 plays and 50 yards when it looked like they would score when they next got the ball, a bad pitch connection between Kizer and Isaiah Crowell caused a fumble, recovered by New York.

Still, the Cleveland defense remained strong for then, forcing a punt and setting up a solid drive for the offense. They stalled and set up for a deep field goal from Zane Gonzalez, but the rookie hit it wide left and left the score at 0-0. But the Browns got the ball back soon after as they came up with a big interception. The bad news, though, was that Kizer returned the favor with an interception of his own after 10 plays.

They forced another Jets punt, and then once again the Browns pieced together a drive into field goal range. Even with a much more manageable try, though, the rookie kicker went wide left once again. To further the blow, the Jets were able to move quickly and ultimately kicked a field goal of their own to go up 3-0 at the half.

At halftime, Browns head coach Hue Jackson elected to make a quarterback change, benching Kizer for Kevin Hogan. That move seemed to prove smart as Hogan helped them march 10 plays and 75 yards for a touchdown to take the lead. When the defense forced the Jets off the field, it seemed like the Browns may have found themselves, but then Hogan tossed an interception backed up deep. Starting on the 13-yard line, it was an easy score for New York.

Hogan again looked promising when he got the ball back, driving the ball deep into New York territory again. However, when they got in close, Jackson elected to go for it on fourth down, but the Jets stuffed the attempt. With Cleveland beginning to look deflated, the Jets marched 97 yards on eight plays for another touchdown.

Duke Johnson was able to make things interesting, though, as he capped off a drive with a crazy run after catch to make the game 17-14 with 1:49 left. Unfortunately, Cleveland had no timeouts remaining. Thus, they had to go for the onside kick, which the Jets recovered.

Highlights

Next: NFL 2017: 20 Bold predictions for Week 5

This isn’t exactly what you’d call a marquee matchup, but it’s two teams who have promise. And with Garrett making his debut for the Browns, one well worth watching.