CINCINNATI — The Jets finally got off the schneid.
After losing his first seven games, Aaron Glenn got his first victory as coach and the Jets (1-7) defeated the Bengals (3-5) at Paycor Stadium.
After going down by 15 points in the third quarter, the Jets finally took the lead with 1:54 remaining after Breece Hall threw a touchdown pass to Mason Taylor in the back of the end zone. Nick Folk’s extra point gave the Jets a 39-38 advantage.
Cincinnati had one last chance to win the game and moved down the field quickly. But the Jets held.
After playing games with who would start at quarterback all week, the Jets finally announced on Saturday that Justin Fields would be the team’s quarterback against Cincinnati. Following a second half benching against the Panthers, scrutiny from Jets owner Woody Johnson and fans alike, Fields had his best game since Week 1 against the Steelers.
Fields completed 21-of-32 passes for 244 yards and a touchdown pass to Tyler Johnson. He also ran for 32 yards on seven carries.
With 5:18 remaining in the second quarter, the Jets broke their nine-quarter touchdown drought. Fields first completed a 34-yard pass to Tyler Johnson, which put them on the Bengals’ 23. Then, on 4th and 2 at the 15-yard line, Fields, with pressure barraging down on him, threw a touchdown pass to Johnson, which trimmed Cincinnati’s lead to 17-10.
In addition to the Jets scoring their first touchdown since Week 5, they also snapped a streak of six straight games without scoring a first-half touchdown. The Jets offensive line also performed well against the Bengals.
Hall rushed for 133 yards on 18 carries and a his first touchdown of the season, which was registered at the beginning of the fourth quarter. Backup Isaiah Davis also had his best game of the season, finishing with 66 yards on six carries.
The Jets averaged just 151 total yards the previous two weeks prior to Sunday’s game.
While their offense had their best game of the season, the Jets defense had their worst. Gang Green couldn’t stop a nosebleed, more or less any of the Cincinnati players.
Joe Flacco finished 21-of-34 with 223 yards and three total touchdowns (two passing and one running). The Bengals rushed for 167 yards, which was the second most the Jets have allowed this season. In their Week 2 loss to Buffalo, the Jets gave up 224 rushing yards and defensive tackle Quinnen Williams days after said that would “never happen again.”
But not only did it happen again, the Jets tackling all day was atrocious. On both Samaje Perine and Chase Brown touchdown runs, the Jets missed several tackles. However, the Jets defense stood tall when it counted and held on for the victory.
The Jets will have a bye in Week 9. Their next game will be on Nov. 9 when they host the Browns at MetLife Stadium.
