Robert Deutsch/USA Today Sports
Geno Smith throws for two touchdowns and rushes for a third in his first turnover-free game since Week 9.
Whether the result mattered or not, Gang Green’s players answered the call to fight for Rex Ryan’s job.
The Jets were able to win their seventh game of the season by defeating the Browns 24-13 in a sleepy game at home in game between two teams with no shot at the postseason. The win was just filler: a waiting game before New York finds out if Rex Ryan will be the coach of the Jets beyond this season.
Mark Bonifacio/New York Daily News
Sunday’s win means Rex Ryan can avoid having a losing season with a win against Miami in Week 17.
Ryan actually used his own job instability as a motivating tactic for his club, telling his players in a meeting that “word on (the) street” is that he will be fired, Fox Sports reported Sunday.
The Jets were helped greatly by two rookies: Geno Smith and Dee Milliner. Smith played well in the win, completing his first game without a turnover since Week 9. Smith was 20-for-36 for 214 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for a score.
Milliner, who has struggled all year was able to contain Josh Gordon, who entered the week as the league leader in receiving yards. Gordon still had a good day — six catches for 97 yards — but didn’t burn the Jets.
Bill Kostroun/AP
David Nelson catches two touchdown passes from Geno Smith on Sunday.
Down 3-0 in the second quarter, the Jets defense needed to stop the Browns in a first and goal situation. Gang Green stopped the Browns on all three attempts, but on third down from the four-yard line, Sheldon Richardson was flagged for roughing the passer. Richardson, incredulous, yelled expletives as replays proved that the flag was incorrect. Nonetheless, as a result, the Browns received a new set of downs at the two-yard line. But Gang Green did not buckle, stopping the Browns on all four downs, meaning they had prevented the Browns from scoring on seven consecutive plays from the 10 or closer.
Later in the quarter, however, Cleveland managed to make it into the end zone. Edwin Baker scored on a five-yard run, putting the Browns up 10 with 6:47 left in the half.
The Jets countered, with Smith leading the Jets on a solid 80-yard drive, ending with David Nelson’s first touchdown as a Jet via a six-yard pass. The Jets converted four third downs on the scoring drive that brought the score back to 10-7 in the Browns favor.
Mark Bonifacio/New York Daily News
Bruising back Chris Ivory rushes for 109 yards in Sunday’s win.
The Jets received the ball back with 34 seconds and seemed content to sit on it when they ran a draw, but Bilal Powell popped a 39-yard run. On the second of two consecutive scrambles by Smith, Tashaun Gipson hit Smith as he went out of bounds — a reminder of Lavonte David in Week 1. When the call initially wasn’t made, Ryan threw down his headset at the referee’s feet and stomped in indignation until the flag was thrown, even though it later looked like Smith had probably sold the late hit.
They couldn’t reach the end zone, but Gang Green managed to kick a game-tying field goal as time expired in the half.
Nearly six minutes into the second half, Jets fans finally got something they’ve waited since April to see: a Dee Milliner interception. Milliner sprinted in front of Greg Little to snag a Jason Campbell pass and pick it off, starting the Jets off on a new drive from their own 39-yard line. The Jets weren’t able to convert the turnover into points, however, after Nick Folk missed a 49-yard field goal.
Early in the fourth quarter, however, the Jets finally took their first lead of the day. After Smith led the Jets on a strong 14-play 81-yard drive, he threw another touchdown to Nelson on a five-yard pass.
The Browns countered with a field goal with roughly 10 minutes remaining in the game, but the Jets found the end zone again. With 3:19 left in the game, Smith scrambled on 17-yard run to secure the victory for Gang Green.
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