Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
NFL: Cincinnati Bengals at New York Jets
The Cincinnati Bengals came into MetLife stadium and blew the wings off the Jets by a score of 27-12. Once again, the gang green faithful were chanting “We want (Mike) White” by the second half.
The wheels fell off for the Jets in this game fairly quickly. Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow and company marched down the field capped by a 12 yard touchdown strike to running back Samaje Perine in the games opening drive.
There was a glimmer of hope after the Jets answered the Bengals TD drive with a field goal, followed by Quinnen Williams subsequently stripping Ja’ Marr Chase on the Bengals second drive. However, the Jets couldn’t capitalize on the turnover with a touchdown and again only came away with three points.
The Jets let the game slip away from them after quarterback Joe Flacco made a terrible decision and threw an interception to Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson in the second quarter. Burrow and the Bengals took the game over from there on out.
Joey “Cool” finished the afternoon 23 for 36, compiling 275 yards passing, and three touchdowns. He was only sacked twice and had zeros in the turnover column.
The Jets defense struggled applying adequate pressure on Burrow, who put together his strongest performance of the young season. Burrow’s top two targets took advantage of this. Wide receiver Tyler Boyd had four catches for 105 yards and a touchdown and wide receiver Tee Higgins caught five passes for 93 yards.
There was plenty of miscommunication within the secondary, sloppy tackling which resulted in a 56 yard Tyler Boyd touchdown, and missed turnover opportunities. The defense was unable to recover fumbles and dropped balls that should’ve been intercepted.
“I would say we gotta communicate more. We’re not communicating enough. We’re not over communicating. It’s loud out there and I think that starts at practice just being extra loud,” Jets cornerback DJ Reed told the media.
As for the Jets offense, the offensive line showed its struggles once again. Left tackle George Fant got beat all game and committed a couple penalties as well. Fant was already playing through a left knee injury and then re-injured that same knee in yesterdays game. He was deemed out for the game and Conor McDermott filled his spot. Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson had a field day against Fant, cashing two and a half sacks.
Joe Flacco didn’t have much time to survey the field and was sacked a total of three times. The offense converted a meager seven of 18 3rd downs.
“He obviously didn’t get much protection. Up and down obviously it’s no different from Baltimore. I’m sure there’s a lot of plays he wants back,” head coach Robert Saleh told the media.
Flacco threw two interceptions and also was strip sacked by Trey Hendrickson which resulted in the Bengals taking possession and ultimately putting more points on the board courtesy of Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase.
One of the few bright spots for the Jets offensively was rookie running back Breece Hall. Hall displayed his pass catching ability nabbing six passes for 53 yards. He deemed as Flacco’s safety net. Hall also rushed for 39 yards on eight carries.
The Jets look to get back on track next week as they travel to Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers at 1:00 PM. Quarterback Zach Wilson will likely make his season debut and try to get this team back to .500.
Game Notes:
- Ahmad Gardner made a couple nice plays in the gritty battle against Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase who finished with just 29 yards on six receptions. Chase ended up with a touchdown in the 3rd quarter as Gardner thought Safety Lamarcus Joyner was going to pick Chase up.
- Both left tackle George Fant (knee) and linebacker Quincy Williams (ankle) left the game with injuries. The extent of their injuries has not yet been announced.
- The Jets finally incorporated one of their tight ends into the passing attack as Tyler Conklin led the receiving core with 84 yards on eight catches.
