The Jets kept fighting Sunday and came away with a 24-13 victory over the Browns at MetLife Stadium. Is it enough to save Rex Ryan’s job? We’ll find out. For now, here are the winners and losers from the game:
Winners
GENO SMITH: You could argue it was his best game all season. It’s at least his best in two months. Smith did it with his arm (20-of-36, 214 yards, 2 TDs) and his legs (48 yards rushing and a touchdown on 10 carries). Smith did not force any throws and took what the Browns defense gave him in a rare turnover-free game. Part of the credit goes to the pass protection, which kept Smith clean all day.
DEE MILLINER: Ryan gets to crow a little bit after his prized first-round pick did a good job against Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon. Milliner had an interception and five passes defensed. Gordon got open a few times and ended up with 97 yards, but that’s nothing compared to the numbers he’s been putting up. This could be the type of performance that raises Milliner’s confidence and gets him going in the right direction.
DAVID NELSON: The wide receiver has been the Jets’ best in-season pickup. He had another nice game with four catches for 33 yards and two touchdowns. In addition, he showed what a big heart he has off the field by playing host to two orphans. Nelson has been a tremendous addition to the Jets locker room and he has produced on the field.
Losers
SANTONIO HOLMES: The boo birds came out for Tone Time. The controversial receiver had another unproductive day and heard it from the crowd when he dropped a couple of passes. Holmes is in his final days as a Jet. He’s not giving the fans too much to remember him by.
JOSH BUSH: You can understand why the Jets would attempt a fake punt early in the game. There was nothing to lose there. But man, don’t they have someone who can throw the ball? Bush’s knuckleball throw was ugly.
REX HATERS: Sure, it was the Browns. And at times it was not pretty. But Sunday’s win goes in the “keep him” column in the debate about Ryan’s future. His team has played extremely hard the last two weeks. On Sunday, they had no playoffs to play for and they were playing in a mostly empty stadium. Still, they played hard and it is clear from the testimonials that flowed after the game that Ryan was the reason why.