Allen has late 22-yard TD run and Jets' defense, special teams come up big in 17-12 win over Browns

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Demario Davis has seen a lot in his 15 NFL seasons. So when the New York Jets linebacker makes a declarative statement, it holds some weight.

This time, it might also raise some eyebrows.

Braelon Allen ran 22 yards for the go-ahead touchdown late in the fourth quarter after New York recovered a fumbled punt snap, and the Jets ended a three-game skid with a 17-12 victory over the Cleveland Browns on a rain-soaked Sunday.

“I would go as far as to say this was a historic win for this organization,” Davis said.

Whoa.

Rookie David Bailey had three of New York’s eight sacks of Deshaun Watson, and Geno Smith had a touchdown pass to Garrett Wilson on the first drive for the Jets (2-3), who ended the Browns’ three-game winning streak.

Cleveland (3-2) had a final chance with 1:41 left and no timeouts. But New York’s defense, as it did all game, stiffened and sealed it when Will McDonald had a strip-sack of Watson on fourth down and recovered the fumble.

“You're talking about a team that had lost the last three games and when you're going through that type of adversity, it can weigh on you,” Davis said. “It can weigh on you emotionally, it can weigh on your faith, it can weigh on your belief. And it can weigh on an organization that has historically been disappointed.”

Davis said the Jets didn't waver or flinch. Even though it looked as if they might be headed toward another tough loss.

“A good team win,” coach Aaron Glenn said. “Every part had some bright moments.”

Smith finished 17 of 30 for 182 yards and the TD to Wilson, who had seven catches for 104 yards, and Allen ran for 116 yards and the winning touchdown on 24 carries.

This one wasn't pretty, with a steady rain falling throughout as the remnants of Hurricane Isaias blew through the Northeast. But the struggling Jets were able to bounce back after giving up a fourth-quarter lead.

“That’s the feeling we’re hunting every weekend,” Wilson said. “It felt good.”

Watson, who was 15 of 33 for 155 yards, threw a 29-yard touchdown pass to rookie Denzel Boston to give the Browns their first advantage. Andre Szmyt missed the extra point, putting Cleveland up 12-10 with 6:15 left.

The Browns got the ball back moments later when Carson Schwesinger sacked Smith, and Adin Huntington recovered the fumble.

The Jets forced a three-and-out and then their special teams came through when a high snap from Cleveland's Rex Sunahara went through punter Corey Bojorquez's hands — perhaps with an assist from the rain — and bounced behind him as several players chased after it and Trevin Wallace recovered for New York.

“The ball was wet the whole game,” Browns coach Todd Monken said. “Is that a part of it? Probably. Is that a part of some of the drops? Probably. Is that a part of some of the ball security? Probably. But we both had to play in it.”

Three plays later, Allen took a handoff, found a crease off the left side and scooted 22 yards for a touchdown that put the Jets ahead with 3:01 remaining and sent the poncho-wearing fans in the MetLife Stadium stands into a frenzy.

The Jets forced a three-and-out on the Browns' first drive — notable after Chicago had no punts against New York last Sunday in a 23-12 win.

“I give those guys all the credit in the world,” Glenn said. “They flushed whatever happened last week and they moved on to this week.”

Smith and the offense went to work quickly and Wilson capped an efficient opening drive by taking a short pass, making a pretty spin move out of a tackle attempt by Ronnie Hillman and scoring a 32-yard touchdown.

The Browns were driving on their second possession and facing first-and-10 from the Jets 25 when Watson threw a deep pass to KC Concepcion, who appeared to make a catch — just as Minkah Fitzpatrick put a crushing hit on the receiver, making contact with his helmet and causing the ball to drop.

Concepcion went face down on the turf and appeared to be unconscious. The rookie first-round draft pick eventually walked off under his own power but was quickly ruled out.

“I saw him after the game. He was in good spirits,” said Monken, who said he assumed Concepcion is in the concussion protocol.

Szmyt kicked a 25-yard field goal on that drive and added a 41-yarder early in the second quarter to make it 7-6.

The Jets appeared on their way to adding to their lead with just under six minutes left in the third when Kenyon Sadiq caught a 6-yard pass, but Quincy Williams — against his former team — forced a fumble that Hickman recovered at the Cleveland 7.

New York scored for the first time since its opening drive on Jason Sanders' 54-yard field goal 23 seconds into the fourth quarter, putting the Jets up 10-6.

Browns: RB Raheim Sanders (hip) and RT Tytus Howard (knee) left in the fourth quarter.

Jets: Glenn said Sadiq is in the concussion protocol after he was injured on his fumble.

Browns: Host Baltimore next Sunday.

Jets: Play at New England next Sunday.

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Cleveland Browns wide receiver Denzel Boston (12) celebrates with teammate quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) after catching a touchdown pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith (7) celebrates after a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New York Jets linebacker David Bailey (31) celebrates with teammate linebacker Jamien Sherwood (44) after a sack during the second half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

New York Jets linebacker Trevin Wallace (49) celebrates after recovering a fumble during the second half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

New York Jets running back Braelon Allen celebrates after a touchdown run during the second half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Cleveland rookie wide receiver KC Concepcion suffered a concussion late in the first quarter of the Browns' 17-12 loss to the New York Jets on Sunday after taking a helmet-to-helmet hit from Minkah Fitzpatrick.

The Browns were driving on their second possession and facing first-and-10 from the Jets 25 when Deshaun Watson threw a deep pass to Concepcion. The first-round draft pick appeared to make a catch — just as Fitzpatrick put a crushing hit on the receiver, making contact with his helmet and causing the ball to drop out of his hands.

Concepcion immediately went face down on the turf and appeared to be unconscious, not moving as the Browns' training staff rushed out to him.

Several Browns teammates and Jets defensive players — including Fitzpatrick — stood near Concepcion as he was being looked at on the field.

After a few minutes, Concepcion was turned over and he eventually sat up, stood and walked under his own power to the locker room. The Browns ruled him out for the game a few minutes later.

“I saw him after the game. He was in good spirits,” Browns coach Todd Monken said. “I don’t know exactly what the rules are, but he did miss the game. I would assume he is in concussion protocol.”

Fitzpatrick was penalized for a hit on a defenseless receiver, the second call on the veteran safety on the drive. He drew a face-mask penalty a few plays earlier while dragging Concepcion out of bounds and pulling off his helmet and sending it flying in the process.

“It’s just a bang bang play,” Monken said. “Minkah’s been in this league a long time and he’s not a dirty player. Unfortunately, it happened to our guy. Not having KC is a part of it, but everybody’s missing players.”

Concepcion was the 24th overall pick out of Texas A&M in April. He had a 5-yard catch before the injury. Concepcion has 18 receptions for 149 yards in five games.

“I saw him afterward and he’s doing well,” Watson said. “He definitely was a big part of the game plan.”

The Browns also lost running back Raheim Sanders (hip) and right tackle Tytus Howard (knee) in the fourth quarter.

Jets rookie tight end Kenyon Sadiq was ruled out early in the fourth quarter with a concussion, and coach Aaron Glenn said he's in the protocol.

The first-round pick caught a 6-yard pass from Geno Smith in the third quarter when Quincy Williams slammed into him and forced a fumble that Ronnie Hickman recovered at the Cleveland 7. Sadiq stayed down for a moment before getting up and heading to the sideline to be evaluated for a head injury.

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Cleveland Browns wide receiver Kc Concepcion (1) is helped off the field after getting injured during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Kc Concepcion lies on the field after getting injured during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Kc Concepcion loses his helmet as he is tackled by New York Jets safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (29) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)