New York Jets stay within striking distance with pick-six

CLEVELAND — The New York Jets received a much-needed spark in the second quarter Thursday night … from their defense.

Defensive end Jermaine Johnson intercepted a pass from Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco pass and returned it 37 yards for a touchdown.

Jermaine Johnson tips it to himself for a Jets Pick-6!#NYJvsCLE on Prime Video
Also available on #NFLPlus https://t.co/N4HZXoYgli pic.twitter.com/yrYNU0Ud4I

— NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2023

Johnson jumped once, and then again, picking off a ball that was going to tight end David Njoku on a screen. It was a tremendous play by Johnson, who tipped it to himself, grabbed it out of the air and sprinted to the end zone.

The Jets’ opening drive ended in a peculiar place — the end zone.

Running back Breece Hall scored on a 21-yard reception to make it a 7-7 game, marking the Jets’ first opening-drive touchdown of the season. That’s right, it took 16 games to accomplish a feat that most teams do on a fairly regular basis.

Jets respond with a 75-yard drive capped off by a @BreeceH TD #TakeFlight#NYJvsCLE on Prime Video
Also available on #NFLPlus https://t.co/N4HZXoYgli pic.twitter.com/f2NOWU8oPs

— NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2023

It came on a third-and-6 play. The Jets emptied the backfield, with Hall split wide to the left and moving in motion at the snap. He caught a drag route and left Browns linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah in his dust.

When Hall scores, good things happen for the Jets. They’re 10-1 when he records a touchdown.