The New York Jets have now won back-to-back games for the first time since the beginning of the 2024 season in their 27-20 victory over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. Coming into this game, both teams have had a rough start to the 2025 season, where the Jets sat at 1-7 with the Browns no better at 2-6.
This was one of the craziest wins I’ve seen from the Jets over the years, as the Browns outplayed them in almost every single category, but thanks to the Jets special teams unit, they made the impossible happen.
New York found themselves down early after a fantastic 95-yard touchdown drive from Browns quarterback Dillion Gabriel, where they took the 7-0 lead with six minutes remaining in the first quarter. Following the touchdown, The Jets responded with their own after returner Kene Nwangwu took it 99 yards to the house, tying the game at 7-7.
But the Jets special teams unit wasn’t done there. After New York forced a quick three and out, punt returner Isaiah Williams scored on a 74-yard punt return touchdown putting the Jets up 14-7. New York put up 14 points without having the offense step on the field in back-to-back possessions. Something you rarely see.
As the game went on, both teams remained competitive. Cleveland tied up the game at 14 following an interception from Jets quarterback Justin Fields in the second quarter. Up to this point, it was a brutal day for Fields who had under 15 yards passing at this point and that didn’t change until after halftime.
On the following possession, Jets kicker Nick Folk hit a 26-yard field goal to take the 17-14 lead and Cleveland responded at the end of the second quarter with a field goal of their own to tie the game at 17-17 going into halftime.
The third quarter was a punt-fest and no one was able to put up points, so we remained tied heading into the fourth quarter. New York wasted no time as running back Breece Hall took a screen pass 42 yards to the endzone to go up 24-17 with 14 minutes remaining. The Jets were getting close to winning their second game of the year.
The Browns marched down the field and found themselves in Jets territory where they were inching closer to tying this game up. That was until they decided to go for it on fourth down and Jets edge rusher Will McDonald would sack Dillon Gabriel to end the possession. It was McDonald’s fourth sack of the game, a new career high as he was impossible to contain.
The Jets went on to win the game 27-20 despite a rough performance from Justin Fields, where he finished his day 6-for-11 with 54 yards, one touchdown and one interception. New York will need more from Fields if they want to make a miracle playoff push.
The Jets have now improved to 2-7 on the season with a difficult matchup coming up this week on Thursday Night Football against the 8-2 New England Patriots. The Browns have now fallen to 2-7 and also have a tough matchup this week as they take on Lamar Jackson and the 4-5 Baltimore Ravens.