Rookie David Bailey gets 3 sacks as Jets defeat Browns

Antwan Staley, New York Daily News on Oct 11, 2026

Published in Football

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NEW YORK — The New York Jets kept giving the ball away.

Their defense refused to give the game away.

Behind a dominant pass rush led by rookie David Bailey, the Jets (2-3) snapped their three-game losing streak with a 17-12 victory over the Cleveland Browns (3-2) on a rainy Sunday afternoon at MetLife Stadium.

Braelon Allen delivered the decisive blow, scoring on a 22-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter after Browns punter Corey Bojorquez fumbled a snap.

Geno Smith completed 17 of 30 passes for 182 yards and a touchdown pass. Allen rushed for 116 yards on 24 carries and a game-winning touchdown, starting in place of Breece Hall, who missed his second straight game with a quadriceps injury he suffered during the Jets’ Week 3 loss to the Detroit Lions.

Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson completed 15 of 33 passes for 155 yards and a touchdown. Linebacker Quincy Williams, who played five seasons for the Jets from 2021-25, forced three fumbles and recorded 11 tackles against his former team in a loss.

But a week after allowing 492 yards in a loss to the Chicago Bears, the Jets defense responded emphatically.

Bailey finished with three sacks, seven tackles and three quarterback hits, bringing his season sack total to five.

The No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft had drawn criticism from Jets fans over what many considered a slow start. On Sunday, he showed the disruptive ability that made him such a coveted prospect and strengthened his case for Defensive Rookie of the Year consideration.

The Jets also made an early effort to get Garrett Wilson involved after he caught just three passes for 27 yards against the Bears. On their opening possession, Wilson caught three passes for 70 yards, including a 32-yard touchdown from Smith that gave them a 7-0 lead.

Then the offense stalled.

The Jets gained just 55 yards over the remainder of the first half, and Smith took three sacks. Cleveland failed to fully capitalize, settling for two Andre Szmyt field goals that cut the Jets’ lead to 7-6 at halftime.

The Jets returned to the red zone late in the third quarter, only to squander another scoring opportunity. Tight end Kenyon Sadiq fumbled after a hit by Williams, and Cleveland’s Ronnie Hickman recovered at the Browns’ 7-yard line.

The Jets found points on its next possession. An offside penalty against Maliek Collins helped put Jason Sanders in range for a 54-yard field goal, which extended the Jets’ lead to 10-6 early in the fourth quarter.

Despite facing relentless pressure, Watson finally broke through with 6:15 remaining. He found rookie Denzel Boston for a 29-yard touchdown after Boston beat Brandon Stephens. Szmyt missed the extra point, leaving Cleveland ahead 12-10.

The Jets’ next opportunity ended with another turnover. Carson Schwesinger sacked Smith and forced a fumble, which Adin Huntington recovered at the Jets’ 48-yard line. It was the Jets' fourth fumble of the afternoon.

Again, the defense bailed out the offense.

The Jets forced a three-and-out, and Bojorquez fumbled the ensuing punt snap. The Jets recovered at Cleveland’s 28, setting up Allen’s go-ahead touchdown run and a 17-12 lead with just over three minutes remaining.

After the Jets punted with 1:47 left, Watson had one final opportunity to lead a winning drive. The Jets’ pass rush shut the door, bringing him down to preserve the victory.

The Jets head back on the road next week to face the Patriots at Gillette Stadium after playing three of their first five games away from home.

There is still plenty to clean up. But for one rain-soaked afternoon, Bailey and the defense gave the Jets something they badly needed: a way to win.

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