The New York Jets were trailing late against Cleveland last Sunday and facing third-and-9 in Browns territory.
Offensive coordinator Frank Reich called for a pass in that critical moment. But quarterback Geno Smith saw something in the defense.
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Detroit Lions' Trevor Nowaske stops New York Jets' Breece Hall during the second half of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Rey Del Rio)
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)
New York Jets running back Braelon Allen (0) runs from Cleveland Browns defensive end Adin Huntington (98) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Jets running back Braelon Allen (0) celebrates with teammate quarterback Geno Smith (7) 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)
So, Smith changed the play to a run, got the ball and handed it to Braelon Allen, who came around the left edge, blew past a tackle attempt and scooted into the end zone for a 22-yard touchdown that was the deciding score in the Jets' 17-12 victory.
“He checked to the perfect play,” Reich said Thursday. “And most of the time in the NFL, when you win games, it’s because key playmakers make — there’s two, three, four plays like that a game, and they come in all shapes and sizes. That’s elite instincts and execution by him and the offense.”
That includes Allen, the third-year running back who has started the past two games for an injured Breece Hall. Allen finished with a career-high 116 yards and the TD on 24 carries in the win over the Browns.
“Once I got past the first level, I knew it was over,” Allen said after the game. “When the play came in, I was really surprised because it was third-and-9. I wasn’t expecting to run the ball when he called it, but I was glad he did. It worked out obviously.”
Thanks in large part to Allen.
“I’m excited for Braelon,” Reich said. “We’ve said it from the start, we think we have the best one-two (running back) combination in the NFL.”
That's lofty praise, especially considering a few of the other duos around the league, including Atlanta's Bijan Robinson and Brian Robinson Jr., Chicago's D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai, and the Los Angeles Rams' Kyren Williams and Blake Corum.
Hall is the Jets' clear No. 1 running back, a do-it-all playmaker who can change a game off a handoff or while catching a pass out of the backfield as a focal point of Reich's offense. But with Hall sidelined with a quadriceps injury that could keep him out against the Patriots in New England on Sunday, Allen has been able to step in and help keep the Jets moving.
“I think Braelon is an outstanding player,” Reich said. “Just physical, tough, smart — really smart — had the explosive runs. That was the big thing last week. The way we count it (with) metrics, we had four explosive runs in the game. I think that tied for the most in the year for us, and a lot of it was his running.”
The 6-foot-1, 235-pound Allen is a different physical specimen from the faster Hall, who's 5-11 and 217 pounds. That has given the Jets a “Boom! Pow!” combination out of the backfield. But Reich sees much more.
“I think he’s stereotyped as that big bruiser inside, between the tackles,” Reich said of Allen. “I don’t see that at all. He’s got good feet. Sometimes you say this with your receivers, a taller receiver, a bigger receiver: He’s a big man with a little man’s feet, which means foot quickness. And I see Braelon like that. He’s a big man, but he’s got quick feet, he’s shifty, he’s got good acceleration and good speed.”
Allen was a fourth-round pick of the Jets out of Wisconsin in 2024. He showed some promise as a rookie, running for 334 yards and two scores on 92 carries, and also caught 19 passes. Allen's second season was cut short after just four games because of an MCL injury.
He worked his way back through the offseason and is a key contributor again for the Jets.
“Just leaning on my faith throughout this whole journey coming back from my knee and building myself back up to who I know I can be,” Allen said after the game. "Two, it's a testament to the team that we have. The guys up front are doing their jobs very well, making it pretty easy for me.
"My job is easy at the end of the day: Hit the hole hard and don’t get tackled.”
See AP’s full NFL coverage here
Detroit Lions' Trevor Nowaske stops New York Jets' Breece Hall during the second half of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Rey Del Rio)
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)
New York Jets running back Braelon Allen (0) runs from Cleveland Browns defensive end Adin Huntington (98) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Jets running back Braelon Allen (0) celebrates with teammate quarterback Geno Smith (7) 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)
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The moment Joe Lacob walks into the Chase Center and heads for his courtside seats, he and his family immediately feel the enormous energy and wholesome vibe that is the Golden State Valkyries’ “Ballhalla” home crowd game after game, sellout after violet-crazed sellout.
The women’s basketball franchise Lacob always envisioned while owning the Golden State Warriors has come together in no time, and in all the right ways – from relatable players other teams overlooked to leadership from the top down and smart branding complete with a beloved raven “bestie” Violet. Just don’t dare calling her a mascot.
On Saturday, Lacob will be there roaring with the rest of them as his Valkyries begin their quest for a WNBA championship in just their second year of existence. And whatever happens, he is immensely proud of the progress and the loyal support from everyone representing all walks of life who contributes to one of the best home-court advantages anywhere.
“What is truly remarkable is how great our fans are. Our players love it, we love it,” Lacob said. “It’s great, it’s a cohesion, it’s everybody coming together all at the same time and rooting for something that is new and fresh and it’s timely. And people see it and feel it. What’s going on in that arena is fantastic, it’s remarkable, it’s incredibly fun.
“I love walking in there, my wife, my family, we all love walking in there to the tremendous feeling of camaraderie and togetherness. We all as a team of people, fans, players, organization, together we’re making history and we all feel it.”
For decades, Lacob has loved women’s basketball and when he brought a WNBA franchise to the Bay Area at last, the owner had no hesitations about making bold predictions.
He promised a championship within the first five years. And now in the second year the Valkyries are playing for one.
“I’m telling you right now, we will win a WNBA championship in the first five years of this franchise,” Lacob declared on Oct. 5, 2023, when the WNBA announced Lacob’s ownership group had been awarded an expansion franchise.
“I think it just goes to show that with a new team, (you can have success) with a clear vision of what you want and the identity that you want,” center Kiah Stokes said. “Shoutout to the Valkyries organization, because they had this vision from the start, and to be able to see it come to fruition already in year two is pretty amazing and pretty special. We have a great group, it’s really special, and we’re looking forward to the finals.”
Lacob had followed his prediction with the same statement to now-coach Natalie Nakase when he interviewed her to be the sideline leader. She was all in from that moment.
“It’s just a perfect confluence of events and people and experience and timing. It’s just a lot of things that have all come together at the right time,” Lacob said. “I’m not going to sit here and tell you that I am shocked by this, I’m not. I think all the ingredients were there and I made that prediction knowingly and understood what I was saying, now to do it in two years, no one could sit here and tell you that would be something they would predict. No one, not even me."
Under Lacob’s leadership and the hiring of President Jess Smith and her staff, Golden State has built a roster of understated stars. Veronica Burton got cut by Dallas two years ago, while her backup point guard Kaitlyn Chen was briefly let go by the Valkyries last season before she returned. Kayla Thornton is a 33-year-old undrafted forward out of the University of Texas El Paso who became an All-Star in 2025. Gabby Williams had something to prove in the WNBA after sensing others didn’t believe in her ability.
That’s not the case anymore.
“It feels special because this is a special group,” Williams said. “All we need is each other. We just need to believe in each other, we know we weren’t a team that was talked about, but just the culture and going to work every day, we felt that we had something worth fighting for. That’s how we’re going into the finals, with that same mentality — staying together and staying unselfish.”
Lacob is into it, yelling from courtside in his Valkyries violet gear.
But this goes back decades for him. He supported Stanford and followed along when Hall of Fame Cardinal coach Tara VanDerveer led the Americans’ gold-medal dominance at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and Lacob became a founding owner of the San Jose Lasers in the former ABL. He is thrilled with the WNBA's recent strides and the rise of women's sports.
Count Warriors coach Steve Kerr as a huge fan of these Valkyries.
“They’re so fun to watch, they’re so unselfish, they’re so tough, smart, well coached,” Kerr said. “And having watched this thing unfold over two years, I can’t imagine that there’s ever been a better expansion team in terms of the unveiling of everything – the brand, the colors, the name, the logo, the mascot, the vibe in the building. It’s incredible. We’re really proud of the team, excited for Natalie and her staff. We can’t wait for the finals.”
It certainly helps to have Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Brandin Podziemski and Gui Santos showing up in support.
Kyrie Irving has taken notice, too.
No matter who is cheering, Nakase has a message for the loyal, loud fans in a home crowd of 18,064 — including her top boss, Lacob — she is so counting on bringing their support to another level.
“Since we're prepping for a great game plan, Ballhalla better be prepping for a game plan,” Nakase said. “So as soon as they're announced, I need some hostility. If they do a challenge, I need hostility, and if they're shooting free throws, I need that thing to be rocking. Game plan, Ballhalla, get ready, get prepped.”
See AP’s full WNBA coverage here
Golden State Valkyries guard Veronica Burton (22) participates in training in Oakland, Calif., Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026. (Santiago Mejia/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)
Golden State Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase speaks during a news conference in Oakland, Calif., Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026. (Santiago Mejia/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)
