#Jamison Crowder touchdown pass was spark for big Jets day: ‘What a dime’

Who needs Trevor Lawrence anyway?

On the day the Jets officially were eliminated from landing the first pick in the draft, their top receiver showed he’s been hiding a cannon for an arm.

Jamison Crowder keyed Gang Green’s second straight victory after an 0-13 start, and he got his team started with a 43-yard touchdown pass to Braxton Berrios in the first quarter.

“I’ve never played quarterback, but I’m an athlete,” Crowder, who also caught a 30-yard score and had a 14-yard run, said after the Jets’ 23-16 win over the Browns at MetLife Stadium Sunday afternoon.

Once he heard the play call, Crowder thought to himself: “Make sure I throw a dart.”

On first-and-10 from the Browns’ 43-yard-line late in the first quarter, Crowder received a pitch in the backfield from running back Ty Johnson and hit Berrios in stride down the right sideline for the first completion and first touchdown pass of his six-year career. Coach Adam Gase said the Jets have tried to run the play before, but it didn’t work nearly as well.

“I told him next series you might think about going back there and playing some snaps at QB,” quarterback Sam Darnold joked. “What a dime though. … He threw it perfectly and, yeah, it was awesome to see.”

It was only part of Crowder’s big day. Late in the half, he caught a 30-yard strike from Darnold for his sixth touchdown reception of the season and finished the game with seven catches for 92 yards.

That production is nothing new. Crowder has been the Jets’ best offensive player the last two seasons. He’s been one of the few things the Jets have gotten right. He’s been durable, productive and reliable.

“The thing that I’d say about Crowder is that, over the last two seasons, he is so consistent,” Gase said. “You can always count on him. The quarterback can definitely count on him being in the right spot, right time. Make the play that needs to be made in the moment, especially when it’s a critical one.

“When we need a big play — whether it’s the perfect coverage or the perfect route — it seems like he comes down with the ball. He makes something happen when something needs to happen.”

On Sunday, he showcased his versatility — the ability to not only catch passes, but throw them as well.