The New York Jets took on the Cleveland Browns on Thursday night as they continue to ride out the rest of the season. Zach Wilson’s season is most likely done so Trevor Siemian got the nod as the starting quarterback.
A familiar face lined up under center for the Browns in Joe Flacco, looking for revenge on his old team. A Cleveland win clinched them a spot in the playoffs for the first time since 2020 and the third time in the last 20 years.
The Browns came out firing right out of the gate, driving down the field and finding the end zone less than four minutes into the game. Joe Flacco connected with Jerome Ford and it was an early 7-0 Cleveland lead. New York did respond with a touchdown drive of their own with Breece Hall finding pay dirt on a pass from Siemian from 21 yards out.
The Browns took over the next drive and once again were able to get down the field with ease. The Jets’ defense looked all but defeated as Kareem Hunt capped off the Browns drive with a 7-yard touchdown run. A Trevor Siemian pick-six made it 20-7 Cleveland as the first quarter came to a close.
The Browns would tack on two more touchdowns in the second quarter and both were through the air. The first one was an eight-yard pass from Flacco to another former Jet, Elijah Moore. Flacco’s third touchdown pass of the night went to Jerome Ford once again, this time a 50-yard strike that put the Browns up 34-17 at the half. Flacco’s only mistake of the half was a pick-six he threw earlier in the quarter to Jermaine Johnson that gave the Jets their only other touchdown of the game.
The game ended with a final score of 37-20 and Cleveland clinching a playoff spot. While it was only 17 points, the Jets were outplayed and outcoached the entire game. New York would currently own the eight pick in the NFL Draft if the season ended today with their second-round pick going to Green Bay from the Aaron Rodgers trade. New York travels to New England next week for the season finale looking to end their losing streak against the Pats.
