Jets Lead Browns 7-6 at Halftime in Rainy MetLife Stadium

Rain has limited scoring in the matchup between the New York Jets and Cleveland Browns at MetLife Stadium, where the Jets held a 7-6 lead at halftime on October 11, 2026. According to NBC Sports, New York scored the game's only touchdown during an 80-yard opening drive, while Cleveland managed two field goals through the first 30 minutes.

The weather has complicated offensive execution for both teams, matching concerns raised before the game by Dawgs By Nature. Cleveland entered the contest with a 3-1 record, while New York stood at 1-3.

Jets quarterback Geno Smith connected with wide receiver Garrett Wilson three times for 70 yards and a touchdown on the opening possession, according to NBC Sports. Wilson received only one additional target afterward, and that pass fell incomplete.

Smith completed five other passes for just 25 yards and was sacked three times in the first half. Browns defensive tackle Maliek Collins recorded two of those sacks, helping Cleveland limit New York's offense after its early scoring drive.

The Jets defense also produced four sacks, with first-round pick David Bailey responsible for two against Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson. Cleveland generated only 99 yards across 33 offensive plays, according to NBC Sports.

Cleveland also lost wide receiver KC Concepcion to a head injury during the first quarter. NBC Sports reported that Concepcion would not return, leaving the Browns to seek another offensive contributor for the second half.

Before kickoff, Dawgs By Nature highlighted the possibility that rain could favor Cleveland's defense but also create problems for its offense. The Browns were missing defensive tackles Mason Graham and Mike Hall Jr., raising questions about their ability to contain New York's running game in difficult conditions.

The publication also identified Watson's ball security and ability to maintain his passing rhythm in the rain as potential factors. The first-half statistics showed substantial limitations for both offenses, although the Jets retained the lead after their opening touchdown.

Cleveland offensive coordinator Travis Switzer said the team's running game had improved throughout the opening weeks of the season.

"Yeah, I think that we’ve improved every week in that area and in all areas of the run game. It’s very rarely one thing. Right?

I think that our guys have really taken to heart the strain and finish piece of it. I think we’re starting to displace the line of scrimmage, right, more and more every week. That’s shown up.

I think our ‘backs are getting a little bit more comfortable with the things that we’re doing, and then us as a staff too, especially in year one, there’s going to be a learning curve through the first few weeks, and just continuing to learn about our guys and what they do well and how do we expand in those areas. Right? So, I think it’s all parts of it, but it’s improved every week and we’re going to continue to do that." said Travis Switzer, offensive coordinator.

Switzer attributed the progress to improvements across multiple aspects of the running game, including the offensive line's ability to move defenders and the players' growing familiarity with the system. The wet conditions at MetLife Stadium presented another test for Cleveland's offensive execution.

Defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg described the team's coverage decisions as part of an ongoing process of evaluating players and adjusting tactics throughout the season.

"Well, not going to go too deep into what went into it, but as we’re all learning and progressing through the season, it is week to week to week to week in the NFL, and you guys know that. You guys have been covering the NFL. I’ll steal Monk’s (Todd Monken’s) line that it’s constantly under construction.

And the truth is each little week is a season, right? Because this thing is a marathon, it’s a grind. And every week you’re trying to find that winning edge.

You’re trying to find that winning margin. You’re trying to eliminate the things that can hurt you, build on the things that can help you, and week to week finding your players’ superpowers, finding what can make your players go, what can make your coaches go, and then building on that week to week and then having the humility to say, ‘oh, that didn’t go as we thought, let’s work it back to this way.’ And it’s a credit to our players for constantly trying to find those inches in their game." said Mike Rutenberg, defensive coordinator.

Rutenberg emphasized weekly adjustments and the importance of identifying players' strengths while correcting ineffective approaches. Cleveland's defensive pressure against Smith provided evidence of the unit's impact during the opening half.

Special teams coordinator Bryon Storer also discussed a kickoff decision following a 56-yard field goal in the previous game. He explained that the circumstances surrounding the kick, including the kicker's adrenaline and the wind, contributed to the outcome.

"Okay, yes, we would prefer not to kick a touchback in that situation, but the deal is this, it’s a learning experience for me and Andre as well. You have to put yourself in Andre’s shoes and understand he just made a 56-yard field goal, presumably to win the game with 10 seconds left to go in the game. So, his adrenaline, all of his teammates were around him, too.

I mean, we’re saying, ‘hey, get to the kickoff huddle, get to the kickoff huddle.’ And he knew what he had to do. And I’ll back up for one second.

The great thing that happened was, in the beginning of the game, they won the toss. They deferred and we got a chance to choose the direction in the fourth quarter. We wanted to go that direction.

That was the preferred direction to go at the end of the game in the fourth quarter. And so, in that same breath, you have the wind with you in that situation, and going that whole game going that direction, if Andre kicked it pure, it went long, he had a touchback. Yeah, I think he had one touchback before that.

And then he said if he hit it, he tried to just baby it and get it down there. That’s when he felt like… so, long story short, that 20-yard window for the landing zone, it shortens when you have a ton of adrenaline, you’ve got the wind at your back, and you’re also thinking to yourself, I don’t want to hit it too short because my guy’s got to cover this kick as well. You know what I’m saying?

We don’t want to give up a return in that situation. So, it’s just me and Andre talked about it, and I said, ‘how can we better handle this situation in the future?’ And really, I think it’s taking a couple deep breaths, as simple as that sounds, to take a couple deep breaths, get yourself centered for this next play, and then go on and execute that one.

So, me and Andre both, I’ve got to be a better communicator" said Bryon Storer, special teams coordinator.

Storer said he and Andre discussed ways to improve communication and execution in similar situations. At MetLife Stadium, the Browns entered the second half trailing by one point, while the Jets prepared to receive the ball after halftime.