New NFL season, same ole Cleveland Browns. The Browns collapsed in the most Brownsian fashion Sunday, blowing a 13-point lead against the New York Jets in the final two minutes.
The fun started with 1:55 left to play. With the Browns already leading by a touchdown, Nick Chubb stiff armed one defender and juked another to score his third touchdown of the game.
NICK CHUBB. THREE TOUCHDOWNS.
— NFL (@NFL) September 18, 2022
📺: #NYJvsCLE on CBS
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The contest appeared over at that point, but no one told the Jets. Two plays later, Corey Davis got behind the Browns' defense and hauled in a 66-yard touchdown pass from Joe Flacco. That cut the Browns' lead to just six points with 1:22 to play.
Joe Flacco to Corey Davis for the 76-yard TD!!!!
— NFL (@NFL) September 18, 2022
📺: #NYJvsCLE on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/bDdH0uvRfp pic.twitter.com/Ta8AkV7pGB
Problem was, the Jets were out of timeouts. If the team wanted to win the game, it would have to recover an onside kick. The Jets went for it and recovered the ball after Amari Cooper couldn't bring it in for the Browns.
It's not over! The Jets recover the onside kick!!!
— NFL (@NFL) September 18, 2022
📺: #NYJvsCLE on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/bDdH0uvRfp pic.twitter.com/4gYGaToIZl
With the ball back, the Jets still needed a touchdown to stay alive. With 1:18 left, Flacco led a nine-play drive for the Jets. On the final play, he found rookie Garrett Wilson in the middle of the field for a 15-yard score to tie the game. Greg Zuerlein hit the extra point a few moments later and, suddenly, the Jets had the lead.
THE JETS TAKE THE LEAD WITH 22 SECONDS LEFT!
— NFL (@NFL) September 18, 2022
📺: #NYJvsCLE on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/bDdH0uvRfp pic.twitter.com/ozByqxk5Ga
The Browns threatened a last-minute comeback. Jacoby Brissett scrambled for 22 yards on the first play of the drive, putting the team in good position. On the next play, however, Brissett threw an interception to Ashtyn Davis, who ran with the ball briefly before sliding to end the game 31-30.
It was a monumental meltdown for the Browns, who, at one point, had a win probability of 99.9 percent.
These are from the same game. #NYJvsCLE pic.twitter.com/rw6gn6TPib
— NFL (@NFL) September 18, 2022
With the loss, the Browns fall to 1-1 to open the season. The Jets improve to 1-1 with the win, and have done that despite not having last year's first-round pick Zach Wilson under center. If Wilson shows improvement in his second year, the Jets could prove feisty, especially if Sunday's game was a sign of things to come for Wilson, who finished with 102 yards and 2 touchdowns.