The New York Jets did not play particularly well coming off a bye week, but their effort turned out to be enough to beat the winless Cincinnati Bengals, 26-14. The Gang Green improved to 3-2 and are now 3-0 in games immediately following a bye under coach Eric Mangini.
The Bengals took an early lead on the third play from scrimmage when QB Brett Favre was sacked and lost a fumble on the Jets\' 24-yard line. Cincinnati defenders picked up the lost ball and scored a touchdown. RB Leon Washington returned the ensuing kickoff 46 yards to the Bengals' 47-yard line and the Jets found themselves in an excellent position for their second possession of the game. Six minutes later Favre connected with a wide open RB Thomas Jones, as New York tied the game, 7-7.
In the second quarter the Jets extended their lead to 10-7 when PK Jay Feely converted a 38-yard field goal attempt, following a three and out possession that started form Cincinnati's 34-yard line. Then the defense came up big, sacking the quarterback and recovering a fumble deep in the Bengals' territory. Two plays later, Jones ran it into the end zone from 7 yards, extending the lead to 17-7. It took the Bengals almost the entire half to get a first down, but when they finally did, on the last possession of the second half, they easily began moving the ball down the field. Once again, just like against Arizona, the Jets looked hapless trying to stop a hurry up offense. Cincinnati scored on a 1-yard QB sneak, 17-14.
In the third quarter the Gang Green extended their lead to 20-14 when PK Jay Feeley converted another field goal attempt from 43 yards out. Then both teams exchanged multiple scoreless possessions until Thomas Jones scored on a 1-yard run with 2:22 left to put the game out of reach for the Bengals.
QB Brett Favre finished the game 25 of 33 for 89 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT. RB Thomas Jones had 17 carries for 65 yards, 2 TDs. He also caught 3 passes for 13 yards, 1 TD. WR Jerricho Cotchery led the team with 8 receptions for 85 yards. WR Laveranues Coles caught 8 passes for 61 yards. RB Leon Washington was once again dangerous returning kickoffs and punts, as he averaged 32 yards on 2 kickoff returns and 15.4 yards on 5 punt returns.
S Abram Elam, who started in place of suspended S Eric Smith, led the team with 6 tackles (5 solo). MLB David Harris also had 6 tackles (2 solo) and shared a sack with LB Bryan Thomas. LB Calvin Pace had another impressive game - 4 tackles (4 solo), 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery. The Jets once again were excellent stopping the run - they allowed only 43 rushing yards (2.0 per carry).
Next Sunday the Jets (3-2) will take on the Oakland Raiders (1-4) at Oakland Coliseum. The kickoff is at 4:15 PM EST.