The Bengals were coming off what was probably the biggest win in the Zac Taylor era. They went into Baltimore and stomped on the Ravens, winning 41-17. After a performance like that, you’d figure they should have no trouble at all beating the lowly Jets, right? Well, the Bengals were in for a rude awakening, as the trap game that some had feared soon became a reality.
It was rough from the get go. The Jets didn’t really do anything that would normally stand out, but their dink and dunk game plan ended up slicing through the Bengals soft zone like a hot knife through butter. Rookie RB Michael Carter was involved early and often, taking screens and check downs and turning them into big gains. The Jets scored on their first drive, courtesy a Michael Carter TD run from 8 yards out.
The Jets continued to move the ball in similar fashion, but they soon began to shoot themselves in the foot. After picking up some yards on their second drive, Mike White threw an interception to Jessie Bates that was returned to the Jets 1 yard line. He then followed it up with another pick, this time by Germaine Pratt. This landed the Bengals at the Jets 15.
The Bengals were unable to capitalize on the first one. Two shotgun runs that were stuffed, and then a dropped pass by Chase led to 4th down. They went for it, but Burrow was sacked. They were able to generate the second turnover into points, however. It was a defensive holding call that got the Bengals to the 1, allowing Joe Mixon to run it in on 2nd down.
A missed field goal killed another good drive by the Jets, and both teams traded punts after that. It was at this point when it seemed like the Bengals might draw off. A big play to Tee Higgins helped set the Bengals up at the 2 yard line, and Burrow was then able to connect with Chase for a TD. The Bengals drove all the way down to the Jets 3 on the very next drive, this after a Jets fumble. However, questionable play calling and poor execution caused the drive to stall out. Evan McPherson made it a 10 point game, but there was still time on the clock for the Jets to work their two minute drill.
They got a nice return on the kickoff, and then short passes with yards after the catch helped the Jets get down the field. Cole, Carter, and Ty Johnson all picked up chunk yardage on the drive. Nearing the end of the half, it had appeared that the Jets had cut into the Bengals lead, when White found Cole in the end zone. However, the play was reviewed and ruled incomplete. Unfortunately, only two plays later, White found Braxton Berrios for the TD. It was 17-14 Bengals at the half.
The Bengals punted on their first possession of the half, while the Jets went on another long drive. It was more of the same. Short passes with chuck yardage picked up after the catch. The usual suspects were involved, Mims, Johnson, Moore, and Carter. The Bengals were eventually able to come up with a big 3rd down stop inside the 10, and the Jets had to settle for a field goal, tying the game at 17.
The Bengals responded well on the next drive, needing only four plays to find the end zone. The key play was a 54 yard pass from Burrow to Higgins, which set up an 8 yard TD catch by Mixon, his second TD of the game. 24-17 Bengals.
Similar to the previous few drives, the Jets went on a long field goal drive which was then followed by a Bengals touchdown. Cincinnati went on a 12 play, 75 yard drive. Like all of the Jets’ drives, this one for the Bengals consisted of a large number of shorter passes, but it was a 21 yard pass to Boyd that got them deep in Jets territory. Not long after, Burrow found Boyd once again, this time in the end zone for a TD. Boyd did a good job of adjusting his route as Burrow scrambled to his right. At this point, it was 31-20 Bengals, but it was all downhill from there.
Mike White led them on a 75 yard scoring drive that was capped off by a 17 yard Ty Johnson TD, as he tiptoed down the sideline, staying just in bounds. The next play from scrimmage was a terrible interception by Burrow that set up the Jets at the 14. They needed only two plays to score, as White found former Bengal Tyler Kroft for the 13 yard score. They were unsuccessful on their previous 2 point attempt, but they converted this time, making the score 34-31 for the home team.
The Bengals were forced to punt on their next drive, putting the defence in a must stop situation. And it seemed like they did get that stop, as Mike Hilton tackled Ty Johnson for a 1 yard loss on 3rd & 11. However, the refs threw a flag for unnecssary roughness, stating that Hilton initiated contact with his head. It was very clearly the wrong call, and it ended up preventing the Bengals offence from seeing the field again.
With how the Bengals played in this one, it is hard to blame the refs, but the correct call needs to be made in that situation, nevertheless.
With this loss, Cincinnati drops to 5-3 and will head home following a three game road trip. The Bengals will take on the 4-4 Browns next week at Paul Brown Stadium.
Homescreen Image VIa: Jeffrey Beall (CC)