EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ — On a poignant Sunday afternoon at MetLife Stadium, the New York Jets secured a meaningful and emotional 27-20 victory over the Cleveland Browns, a game that doubled as a tribute to franchise icon Nick Mangold, who recently passed away at the age of 41 after battling kidney disease. The Jets marked the former NFL All-Pro center’s life in moving fashion, while delivering the kind of gritty win their season has so far lacked.
Before the opening kickoff, Mangold’s wife Jennifer and their four children stood at midfield wearing No. 74 jerseys as a tribute during the coin toss, while the stadium unfurled a massive “No. 74” banner and the team donned shirts bearing his image.
The Jets and all of MetLife Stadium paid tribute to franchise icon Nick Mangold prior to Sunday’s game with his wife Jennifer and four kids serving as the honorary captains – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
Jets head coach Aaron Glenn called the moment “very emotional,” noting, “To see how strong she was handling it, to see how strong his kids were handling it… that in itself just tells you about who he was.”
On the field, New York leaned on special teams and defensive ferocity as the Jets’ special teams delivered two electrifying returns: a 99-yard kickoff return by Kene Nwangwu and a 74-yard punt return by Isaiah Williams.
Jets Kene Nwangwu delivered a 99-yard kickoff return touchdown in Sunday’s win over the Browns while Isaiah Williams followed it up shortly after with a 74-yard punt return TD – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
Meanwhile, defensive end Will McDonald IV exploded for four sacks, tying the franchise single-game record.
Quarterback Justin Fields finished 6 of 11 for 54 passing yards, while the offense cobbled together just 169 total yards on 47 plays.
In Sunday’s Jets win over the Browns, Justin Fields finished 6-11 with 54 passing yards – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
The game winning moment arrived early in the fourth quarter when Fields found Breece Hall on a 42-yard screen pass for a touchdown, putting the Jets ahead 24-17. From there, kicker Nick Folk added a 37-yard field goal to extend the lead, and New York held on thanks to two late Browns penalties that sealed the victory.
Coach Glenn said of the win:
“Guys, that’s what we’re all about; that’s what we’ve been teaching, and that’s what we’ve been practicing for a while… Listen, sometimes it takes time, and I understand guys don’t understand that. It takes time [for] guys to understand and execute in situations.”
Aaron Glenn and the Jets have won their last two games after falling to 0-7 on the 2025 NFL regular season with a win at Cincinnati and a victory over Cleveland coming off a Bye – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
For a team now 2-7, the win may not erase the season’s frustrations, but it offered a symbolic spark not just in honoring Mangold’s legacy, but in proving they can fight through adversity and find a way to win together.
On a day of remembrance, the Jets played for something bigger than themselves.
The Jets had Fireman Ed and the MetLife crowd on their feet for their first home win of the 2025 NFL regular season – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
As coach Glenn reflected: “We were definitely playing for something bigger than ourselves today for sure.”
And on this Sunday, they delivered.
Follow us on Social Media for updates and exclusive content
Instagram: @latinosportsoficial
Facebook: Latino Sports
Twitter: @latinosports
