Week 8 Game Recap: New York Jets 13, Cleveland Browns 20

What you need to know

New York Jets

The Jets fell behind 20-3 late in the third quarter before nearly rallying all the way back with a 99 yard kickoff return by Justin Miller and a disputed touchdown pass from Chad Pennington to Chris Baker on fourth down in the final minute of the game, where Baker was ruled out of bounds. After an impressive first drive where Pennington distributed the ball very well, the Jets’ offense was unimpressive most of the remainder of the afternoon. Pennington finished 11 of 28 for 108 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions. Early in the game, Pennington’s primary target was Jerricho Cotchery, who caught five passes for 43 yards on the afternoon. As the Jets mounted their comeback, Pennington relied on Laverneus Coles, who had forty yards on four receptions. At the end of the game, Chris Baker came up with a one-handed catch in the front right corner of the end zone where, after huddling, officials ruled he could not have come down in bounds. Replays suggested that his momentum would have kept him in bounds had he not been bit hard from his left side. However this was not a reviewable play and the ruling was no catch. Kevan Barlow added one catch for eight yards out of the backfield.

Playing from behind, the Jets had fewer opportunities to establish the run game, and failed to gain more than eleven yards on any given carry. Leon Washington finished with 51 yards on fifteen carries while counterpart Kevan Barlow totaled sixteen yards on five carries. Brad Smith was utilized on a number of third down plays, and gained four yards on three attempts. On three scrambles, Chad Pennington added nine yards. Both Cedric Houston and Derrick Blaylock were inactive in this game.

Cleveland Browns

Under new offensive coordinator Jeff Davidson, who formally served as the offensive line coach, the Browns rededicated themselves to the rushing game, and were able to hold off a late comeback by the Jets with a big game from Reuben Droughns. On 33 carries, Droughns rushed for 125 yards and a touchdown, for his second 100 yard game of the season. Jason Wright again served as the backup, but had no touches on the day, while Jerome Harrison was inactive. Charlie Frye scrambled for nineteen yards on five official attempts.

Charlie Frye played well enough to win, completing 15 of 22 passes for 141 yards, with one touchdown and one interception. Frye threaded a ball over the middle to Kellen Winslow for a thirty yard touchdown early in the second half. Winslow was the most targeted receiver, and caught seven passes for 76 yards including the touchdown. After being targeted on a deep pass to open the game, Braylon Edwards was relatively quiet, finishing with just two catches for 21 yards. Joe Jurevicius failed to catch a pass, but was targeted in the red zone, where he drew a pass interference penalty. In addition to his return duties, Josh Cribbs caught one pass for fourteen yards. Reuben Droughns added two catches out of the backfield for seven yards.

What you ought to know

QB Chad Pennington, Pass: 11 - 28 - 108 - 0 TD / 2 INT, Rush: 3 - 9 - 0

Pennington struggled most of the day, completing only 39 percent of his passes and finished with a passer rating of 21.1, averaging just 3.9 yards per passing attempt. Nearly 70% of his passing yardage came on the opening and final drives of the game. Pennington’s first interception was tipped at the line of scrimmage.

RB Leon Washington, Rush: 15 - 51 - 0 (3 targets)

Washington had a long run of eleven yards on the afternoon, and averaged 3.4 yards per carry, though did not catch a pass on the day. Washington had just one touch on third down in this game, which played a part in the 38% third down efficiency by the Jets. Washington lost a key fumble inside his own ten in the third quarter, at which point the Jets trailed 17-3, and fell behind 20-3 shortly thereafter.

RB Kevan Barlow, Rush: 5 - 16 - 0, Rec: 1 - 8 - 0 (1 targets)

Barlow had limited opportunities in this game, with all of his touches coming in the first half of the game.

WR Jerricho Cotchery, Rush: 1 - 8 - 0, Rec: 5 - 43 - 0 (10 targets)

With two quick catches to open the game, Cotchery seemed poised for a big day, but like the rest of the Jets’ offense, failed to build upon an impressive opening drive.

WR Laveranues Coles, Rec: 4 - 40 - 0 (11 targets)

Coles was heavily targeted in the second half as the Jets were mounting a comeback, but was unable to find the end zone. Pennington keyed on Coles, which may have played a part in a fourth quarter interception intended for Coles.

WR Brad Smith, Rush: 3 - 4 - 0

Smith rushed three times for a total of four yards, his longest rush went for seven yards.

TE Chris Baker, Rec: 1 - 17 - 0 (2 targets)

Baker was nearly the hero of this game, seemingly making a one-handed catch on fourth down in the final minute of the game, only to be ruled out of bounds on a questionable call by the officials which could not be reviewed. Baker made a tremendous catch and held onto the ball even as he was hit hard coming across his body, though the hit drove him out of bounds. After huddling, the officials declared he failed to get his feet down, and that he would not have come down in bounds. Replays suggested he more than likely would have, however this judgment call by the officials could not be reviewed. With a successful extra point attempt, that play would have likely forced overtime on the road.

PK Mike Nugent 2 - 3 FG, 1 - 1 XP, 7 points

Nugent connected on field goals of 27 and 47 yards, but missed a 52 yarder wide right late in the second quarter in a game which the Jets trailed 10-3 at the time.

NYJ Rush Defense

The rush defense held Reuben Droughns to a low average, and did not give up a big run, however the quantity of runs by the Browns led to 147 yards being amassed on the afternoon.

NYJ Pass Defense

The Jets shut down the wideouts, but were unable to slow down tight end Kellen Winslow. The unit finished with three sacks and an interception against Charlie Frye and the Browns.

QB Charlie Frye, Pass: 15 - 22 - 141 - 1 TD / 1 INT, Rush: 5 - 19 - 0

Frye played a more conservative game than in previous weeks, but still showed a great deal of trust in tight end Kellen Winslow as he went through his progressions in looking for the open receiver. Frye finished with a passer rating of 81.8 by completing 68% of his passes for an average of 6.4 yards per passing attempt.

RB Reuben Droughns, Rush: 33 - 125 - 1, Rec: 2 - 7 - 0 (3 targets)

Droughns had his best game of the season, reaching the century mark for the second time this season in what also was the second time this season he received at least twenty carries. New offensive coordinator Jeff Davidson featured Droughns, and depended upon him to help protect the lead in what appeared to be a more run-focused and conservative offense. Droughns scored from two yards out at the beginning of the second quarter, and encouraging sign that he was left in at the goal line. It is worth noting that he actually found the end zone two plays earlier from two yards out, though this play was called back due to movement by Joe Jurevicius.

WR Braylon Edwards, Rec: 2 - 21 - 0 (4 targets)

The Browns continue to try to go deep to Edwards on the opening series of each game, though haven’t been able to connect in recent weeks. This was the third game in a row in which Edwards was held below thirty yards, and the conservative offensive approach did not seem to work in Edwards’ favor against the Jets.

WR Josh Cribbs, Rec: 1 - 14 - 0 (2 targets)

Cribbs was used primarily in the return game as the Browns featured a significant number of two tight end and fullback sets in this game.

WR Joe Jurevicius (1 targets)

Jurevicius was targeted only once in this game, and drew a pass interference call which subsequently led to a Reuben Droughns touchdown.

TE Kellen Winslow Jr, Rec: 7 - 76 - 1 (9 targets)

Winslow had another big game. After running a nice route, he was rewarded with a thirty yard touchdown pass from quarterback Charlie Frye. The tight ends were targeted on nearly 60% of the passes in this game, and Winslow himself had as many as all of the wide receivers and running backs combined.

TE Steve Heiden, Rec: 3 - 23 - 0 (4 targets)

Heiden continues to produce, and saw as many passes as wide receiver Braylon Edwards in this game under the play calling of new offensive coordinator Jeff Davidson.

PK Phil Dawson 2 - 3 FG, 2 - 2 XP, 8 points

Dawson connected from 21 and 47 yards out, but missed one at the end of the first half. It was telling that Crennel elected to kick the field goal on a day where wind gusts were reported up 25 mph and trailing 3-0 in the first quarter when facing a fourth and one from the opponent thirty yard line.

CLE Rush Defense

The Browns held Leon Washington and Kevan Barlow in check, allowing the Jets to gain just 88 yards on the ground, and forcing one fumble.

CLE Pass Defense

By forcing two interceptions, sacking Chad Pennington once, and allowing him to throw for just 108 yards, the pass defense had one of their better performances of the season as a defensive unit.