EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The New York Jets needed less than a minute to make franchise history — and then held off the Cleveland Browns the rest of the way for a rainy but memorable 27–20 victory on Sunday at MetLife Stadium.
In an electric first quarter, the Jets became the first team in franchise history to record both a kickoff return and a punt return touchdown in the same game. Kene Nwangwu opened the fireworks with a 99-yard kickoff return, and moments later Isaiah Williams brought a punt back 74 yards to give New York a 14–7 lead.
Running back Breece Hall sealed the win late in the fourth, turning a screen pass from Justin Fields into a 42-yard touchdown that put New York ahead for good.
“Man, the special teams made it easy for us today,” Fields said grinning. “They gave us energy, field position, and points. That’s huge.”
The Jets (2–7) — playing their first home game since trading defensive stars Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams — earned coach Aaron Glenn his first win at MetLife Stadium.
Defensive end Will McDonald tied a team record with four sacks, and the Jets’ defense came up with key stops down the stretch. Cleveland (2–7) hurt itself late with a pair of costly penalties, including a defensive holding call that allowed New York to run out the clock.
“We’ve got a long way to go, but our special teams gave us life today,” Glenn said. “They set the tone from the opening kick.”
A Spark and a Statement
After Cleveland quarterback Dillon Gabriel led a 95-yard opening drive capped by a 9-yard strike to David Njoku, Nwangwu immediately answered with his 99-yard return touchdown. The Jets forced a quick three-and-out, and Williams’ dazzling 74-yard punt return made it 14–7 less than six minutes into the game.
It marked the first time since 2017 that an NFL team recorded both a kickoff and punt return touchdown in the same game — and the first time in the opening quarter since 2007.
Gabriel, the rookie quarterback, finished 17 of 32 for 167 yards and two touchdown passes to Njoku and Jerry Jeudy, but the Browns’ offense sputtered after halftime.
Rookie running back Quinshon Judkins managed 75 yards on 22 carries, and Cleveland has now dropped 13 straight road contests dating back to last season.
Fields, Hall Deliver Late
With the score tied 17–17 early in the fourth, and star receiver Garrett Wilson sidelined with a knee injury, Fields kept the offense alive. On third down, he absorbed a heavy hit but managed to flip a screen pass to Hall, who sprinted 42 yards untouched for the go-ahead touchdown.
Nick Folk later added a 37-yard field goal for New York, stretching the lead to 27–17 before Cleveland’s Andre Szmyt connected from 29 yards to make it a one-score game. The Browns had one final chance, but a defensive penalty in the final two minutes allowed the Jets to run out the clock.
Fields finished just 6 of 11 for 54 yards, one touchdown, and one interception, but his leadership in key moments helped the Jets secure back-to-back wins for the first time this season.
Cleveland’s Quarterback Carousel
The Browns’ day unraveled when Gabriel was knocked out with a concussion late in the third quarter after a hit by Austin Booker and C.J. Gardner-Johnson. Veteran Russell Wilson replaced him but failed to move the offense.
Despite the struggles, coach Kevin Stefanski reaffirmed his commitment to Gabriel moving forward.
“He’s young, but he’s growing,” Stefanski said. “We’ll keep building with him.”
A Touching Tribute
Before kickoff, the Jets honored the late Nick Mangold, their longtime All-Pro center who passed away last month at 41. The ceremony included a video tribute, a massive No. 74 banner, and remarks from former teammate D’Brickashaw Ferguson.
Injuries
Browns: DE Alex Wright exited in the third quarter with a quadriceps injury.
Jets: WR Garrett Wilson re-injured his knee; CB Azareye’h Thomas entered concussion protocol after a hard collision in the second quarter.
Up Next:
Browns: Host the Baltimore Ravens next Sunday.
Jets: Travel to New England for a Thursday night matchup with the Patriots.
