Stefanski: I should've told players not to score late in 4th quarter vs. Jets

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said he could've instructed quarterback Jacoby Brissett and his offense to run out the clock and secure a win against the New York Jets on Sunday.

"Let me be clear on this: I absolutely could've told Jacoby (to not let anyone score) in that situation," Stefanski said, according to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com.

"That's on me to communicate that to the huddle. We've done that before," he added, per ESPN's Jake Trotter. "Having said that, we need to close that game out."

With his team leading by seven, Nick Chubb opted to score a touchdown late in the fourth quarter instead of going down in bounds. While the score gave Cleveland a 13-point lead with only 1:55 to play, it also provided New York the opportunity to stage a comeback.

The Jets scored a 66-yard touchdown two plays later, recovered the ensuing onside kick, and then drove down for the game-winning score to clinch a 31-30 victory.

This was the first time in 2,230 contests that a team leading by at least 13 points in the final two minutes wound up losing, according to ESPN Stats & Info.

Stefanski also criticized the defense for Cleveland's late-game collapse.

"It should never happen. We have to be able to defend the pass in obvious passing situations," the 40-year-old coach said, according to The Athletic's Zac Jackson. "Something we have to get fixed immediately."

The Browns will host the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday Night Football.