Deshaun Watson finds rookie Denzel Boston for a 29-yard TD as Browns take 12-10 lead at MetLife

The Cleveland Browns finally took control at MetLife Stadium, scoring to lead 12-10 after a late drive that featured a key third-down penalty and a touchdown connection between Deshaun Watson and rookie wide receiver Denzel Boston. The score marked Cleveland’s first lead of the game and came during the final stretch, when every possession carried extra weight because the margin stayed narrow.

The Browns’ go-ahead drive started with a third down where New York’s defense was able to make a play, but the result did not hold. A pass interference penalty on Jets cornerback Brandon Stephens kept the drive alive, giving Cleveland a fresh set of downs and the chance to turn field position into points. In games that swing on momentum, that kind of late, penalty-assisted extension can matter as much as the touchdown itself.

On the next major chunk of the sequence, Watson delivered an end-zone throw that traveled 29 yards and found Boston for a touchdown. The connection put Cleveland ahead 12-10, with the Browns converting on a moment that had started with a penalty rather than clean execution. Still, the emphasis shifted quickly from keeping the drive alive to finishing it, and Watson’s throw provided that finishing touch.

Cleveland’s lead did not grow further because the extra point attempt was missed. Andre Szymt’s missed kick left the game at 12-10, keeping the scoreline tight and setting the stage for a late-game response from the Jets. With under five minutes remaining, a two-point margin can swing on a single big play, a defensive stand, or one turnover.

For the Browns, the touchdown from Watson to Boston carried an added layer: it came from a veteran quarterback working with a rookie receiver in a high-leverage moment. Rookie wideouts can sometimes be limited in complex packages early in the season, so a score like this is the clearest sign of trust during a drive that mattered. It also provides a template for how Cleveland can create explosive plays when it needs them, especially when the game is close enough that one possession can define the tone.

For New York, the immediate task after Cleveland’s score is straightforward but difficult: respond with points while avoiding penalties and costly errors, because Cleveland has already shown it can produce points quickly once a drive stays alive. With the game still inside the last five minutes at 12-10, the remainder of the contest becomes a test of execution under pressure, from third-down conversions to red-zone efficiency to the ability to convert or defend without relying on second chances.