Braelon Allen’s 22-yard touchdown run with just over three minutes left gave the New York Jets a 17-12 comeback victory over the Cleveland Browns in rainy conditions at MetLife Stadium on Sunday. The score was Allen’s longest career run in his third NFL season and the first rushing touchdown allowed by Cleveland’s defense this year.
The Jets capitalized on a costly error by Browns punter Corey Bojorquez, who fumbled a snap from his own 42-yard line. The mishap resulted in a 19-yard loss and handed New York the ball at Cleveland’s 23-yard line, setting them up in field goal range. Allen’s touchdown followed soon after, putting the Jets ahead for good.
Earlier in the fourth quarter, Deshaun Watson had thrown a 29-yard touchdown pass to Denzel Boston to give Cleveland a 12-10 lead. However, kicker Andre Szymt missed the extra point, leaving the door open for the Jets to reclaim the lead with a field goal or touchdown.
The Browns nearly extended their advantage shortly before Bojorquez’s fumble. Carson Schwesinger sacked Jets quarterback Geno Smith, forcing a fumble that Cleveland’s Adin Huntington recovered at New York’s 48-yard line. But the Browns failed to capitalize, going three-and-out after Watson threw two incomplete passes, leading to the punt that went awry.
The game also featured a serious injury to Browns rookie wide receiver KC Concepcion. In the first quarter, Concepcion appeared to catch a deep pass from Watson near the Jets’ 9-yard line before being hit hard by Jets safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. The helmet-to-helmet collision drew two penalties for unnecessary roughness on Fitzpatrick.
Concepcion remained on the ground for several minutes, his head hitting the turf awkwardly and his eyes rolling back, before being helped off by Browns trainers. He was taken to the locker room for evaluation and did not return. Before the game, Concepcion was tied for the team lead with 17 receptions and ranked second with 144 yards. He had one catch for five yards in this game.
The Jets improved to 3-2 with the win, while the Browns dropped to 2-3. Allen’s breakthrough run proved decisive as the Jets overcame the earlier deficit and Cleveland’s strong defensive showing.
Bojorquez’s fumble under wet conditions proved costly for the Browns, while the missed extra point by Szymt left the Browns vulnerable in a tightly contested game. Meanwhile, Watson’s 29-yard touchdown to Boston was Cleveland’s only touchdown of the game.
The Jets’ defense also contributed by forcing a crucial fumble on Geno Smith, although Cleveland could not convert that turnover into points.
At the time of writing, there is no further update on KC Concepcion’s condition following the helmet-to-helmet hit. The Browns will be hoping for a swift recovery from their rookie receiver as the season progresses.
According to Yahoo Sports.
