Jets sack Deshaun Watson 8 times, defeat Browns to snap 3-game skid

The Jets rebounded from their awful performance in Chicago last week and pulled out a gritty win on a sloppy, rain-soaked day.

Braelon Allen ran for a 22-yard touchdown with 3:01 left in the game to give the Jets the lead and their defense made it stand up.

The Jets snapped a three-game losing streak with a 17-12 victory over the Browns on Sunday afternoon at MetLife Stadium.

Aaron Glenn’s defense, maligned after allowing Chicago to run 89 plays last week and dominate the time of possession, played aggressively and got after Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson all game. They sacked him eight times, including the Browns’ final drop back of the game. Will McDonald sacked Watson and recovered the fumble.

Geno Smith completed 17 of 30 passes for 182 yards and a touchdown. Garrett Wilson had seven catches for 104 yards and a score. Braelon Allen, starting for the injured Breece Hall (quad) for the second straight game, rushed 24 times for 116 yards and a touchdown.

Rookie David Bailey had his most disruptive day, recording three sacks.

Watson was 15 of 33 for 155 yards and a touchdown. Ex-Jet Quincy Williams had a big game in his MetLife Stadium return. He finished with 11 tackles and three forced fumbles.

The Jets’ defense was strong all day. They had opportunities to put some distance between them and the Browns, but their offense faltered. Leading 7-6 in the third quarter, the Jets drove into the red zone but couldn’t score.

They had a first-and-10 from the 11. Smith threw a pass to Wilson. There appeared to be contact, but the officials didn’t call a penalty. Two plays later, Smith hit Kenyon Sadiq, but he fumbled after getting hit by Williams. The Browns recovered it at their own 7. Sadiq left the game with a concussion and did not return.

After the defense forced a three-and-out, the Jets extended their lead to 10-6 on Jason Sanders’ 54-yard field goal.

The defense made another big stand on the next series after allowing a 30-yard reception that gave Cleveland the ball at the Jets’ 45. Jarvis Brownlee, who was beaten on the Bond catch, sacked Watson for a 10-yard loss. Bailey capped the defensive stand with a third-down sack.

The Jets’ defense broke on the following possession. They gave up a 20-yard Watson scramble to the Jets’ 29. Three plays later, Watson connected with Denzel Boston on a 29-yard go-ahead score that made it 12-10 with 6:15 left. Andre Szymt missed the extra point.

Smith led the Jets into Browns’ territory on the ensuing trip, but he fumbled on first down from the 39. It was recovered by Cleveland’s Adin Huntington at the Jets’ 45, but the Jets’ defense came up big and forced a three-and-out.

The Browns botched the punt. The snap sailed over Corey Bojorquez’s head and was recovered by Jets’ linebacker Trevin Wallace at the Browns’ 23. On third down, Allen took the handoff, bounced it up the middle and went outside for the 22-yard score.

By Al Iannazzone

al.iannazzone@newsday.comAl_Iannazzone

Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.