EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (Interstat) — The New York Jets, fueled by a dominant defensive performance and a game-breaking kickoff return, overcame an early deficit to defeat the Cleveland Browns 27-20 in a National Football League game on Sunday at MetLife Stadium.

A crowd of 72,623 watched as the Jets defense sacked Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel seven times, with Will McDonald IV leading the charge with four sacks. The victory improved both teams’ records to 2-7.

The Browns struck first, capitalizing on their opening drive with a methodical 15-play, 91-yard march that consumed more than eight minutes. Gabriel capped the drive with a 9-yard touchdown pass to tight end David Njoku.

Cleveland’s lead was short-lived. On the ensuing kickoff, Jets returner Kene Nwangwu fielded the ball at the 1-yard line and raced 99 yards for a touchdown, tying the game just 13 seconds after the Browns had taken the lead.

The Jets defense then forced a swift three-and-out, and the offense responded with a 10-play, 80-yard drive. Running back Breece Hall, who finished with 83 yards on 21 carries, powered into the end zone from 2 yards out to give New York a 14-7 lead late in the first quarter.

Cleveland evened the score early in the second quarter when safety Ronnie Hickman intercepted a Justin Fields pass intended for Garrett Wilson, returning it to the New York 22-yard line. On the next play, Gabriel connected with Jerry Jeudy for a 22-yard touchdown.

After a Nick Folk 26-yard field goal gave the Jets a 17-14 lead, the Browns managed to tie the game just before halftime. Andre Szmyt nailed a 45-yard field goal as time expired in the second quarter, sending the teams into the locker room knotted at 17.

The game remained a defensive struggle throughout a scoreless third quarter. The deadlock was broken early in the fourth when Fields found Hall on a short pass that the running back turned into a 42-yard touchdown, putting the Jets ahead for good.

Folk added a 37-yard field goal with just over six minutes remaining to extend the Jets’ lead to 27-17. The Browns mounted a final drive, moving to the New York 11-yard line, but the Jets’ defense held firm, forcing a 29-yard field goal by Szmyt with 2:57 left to pull Cleveland within a touchdown.

The Browns would not get the ball back. The Jets’ offense, leaning on Hall, successfully ran out the clock, with Fields taking two kneel-downs to seal the victory.

Fields finished with a modest stat line, completing 6 of 11 passes for 54 yards and one touchdown, while adding 28 yards on the ground. Gabriel was under constant pressure, and while Jeudy had a strong day with six catches for 78 yards and a touchdown, the Browns’ offense could not sustain drives against the relentless Jets pass rush.

Defensively for the Jets, Tony Adams led all players with nine tackles, while Quincy Williams and Malachi Moore each had eight. For the Browns, linebacker Carson Schwesinger recorded a game-high 10 tackles.

The Jets will have a short week to prepare, traveling to face the New England Patriots on Thursday. The Browns will host the Baltimore Ravens next Sunday.