Braelon Allen just had himself a coming-out party on Sunday, absolutely torching the Browns for 116 rushing yards on 24 carries and punching in a touchdown. That performance wasn’t just huge for Allen, it sealed the Jets’ second victory of the season, and it has Offensive Coordinator Frank Reich gushing over his running back room like crazy. Reich isn’t holding back, calling what they have “the best one-two combo in the NFL.” Talk about a statement!
Allen’s Game-Winning Spark Proves His OC Right
Seriously, Reich is all in on Allen. He called him “outstanding” and “really smart,” highlighting the “explosive runs” from last week’s game. The Jets tied their season-high with four explosives in that Browns matchup, and Reich gives a ton of credit to Allen’s running for that. Remember the game-winning score in the fourth quarter? Jets were down 12-10, facing a third-and-nine on the Browns’ 22-yard line. Quarterback Geno Smith handed the ball off to Allen, and the dude just scampered into the endzone, practically untouched! Get this: Reich actually called for a pass on that play, but Smith saw a hole in Cleveland’s defense and checked it to a run. Allen took that trust and absolutely delivered, showing everyone what he’s capable of.
Reich isn’t just impressed with the numbers, he’s hyping up Allen’s unique skill set too. “He’s stereotyped as that big bruiser inside between the tackles. I don’t see that at all,” Reich stated. “He’s got good feet. He’s a big man, but he’s got quick feet. He’s shifty, he’s got good acceleration and good speed.” That’s high praise for a guy who’s been working his tail off.
From Tough Sledding to Top Combo Talk
It hasn’t been an easy road for Allen. His rookie year saw him behind Breece Hall, rushing for 334 yards on 92 carries. Then in 2025, a knee injury cut his season short after just four games. But this year? Total turnaround. Allen is being used way more, and he’s already closing in on career highs in rushes and rushing yards. A huge part of that expanded role is because Breece Hall, who Reich considers the “No. 1” in that “best combo,” has missed the last two games with a quad injury and is still week-to-week for their upcoming game.
So, what does that mean? If Hall is still out, Allen is going to see the bulk of the carries again, and Reich and the Jets are clearly more than comfortable with that. This Sunday, the Jets square off against the Patriots, and you know all eyes are gonna be on Allen. Can he keep this momentum rolling and truly solidify his spot as a crucial piece of that “best one-two combo” in the league? It’s going to be wild to watch him try!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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