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Jets 34 Bengals 31
Zac Taylor's opening comments: "Got outcoached. Got outplayed," was actually an understatement.
Simply put, it was a game the Bengals really had no business winning. The Bengals led by 10 points in the 2nd quarter and by 11 points with 7:29 remaining in the game and blew it. The Jets scored the final 14 points to stun the Bengals 34-31. Leading 31-26 with 4:00 left Joe Burrow's screen pass was tipped at the line and picked on the Bengals 14. The Jets then scored the go-ahead/winner on a Tyler Kroft TD catch with 3:45 left.
The Bengals were outgained 121-7 in the first quarter, 261-119 in first half and 511-318 for the game. The Bengals forced three first half turnovers but led just 17-14 at halftime. The Jets led 7-0 and did not lead again until they took the lead on a Mike White TD toss to former Bengals TE Tyler Kroft with 3:45 left in the game.
D-dented: 34 points (Jets averaged 13.3) 511 yards allowed (272.3), 32 first downs (16.0)....6 of 11 3rd D (54%). The Bengals allowed the Jets all the short passes, screens, dump offs they wanted...and the tackling was atrocious. The lack of adjustments was mind numbing. The Jets had no threat to run past the Bengals and yet the defense allowed them to play pitch and catch all day long. The Jets marched their opening drive 10 plays/72 yards for a TD, their first points of the season in the first quarter. The Jets trailed 17-7 in the 2nd quarter, but then finished the game scoring on five consecutive possessions: TD-FG-FG-TD-TD. The Bengals became the last team to allow more than 25 points or more in a game this season. Germaine Pratt had an INT that led to a Mixon TD. Bell forced/recovered a fumble. Logan Wilson racked up a team-high 12 tackles. Trey Hendrickson had another big 3rd down sack that forced Jets into FG in 4th QT to cut Bengals lead to 24-20. Per Pro Football Focus first-run analysis: Wilson and Pratt combined to allow over 200 yards in their coverage. From Jay Morrison, The Athletic: Jets gained 292 yards after the catch, per TruMedia. That’s not only the most in the league this year — by 48 yards — but it’s the highest total since 2014 and is tied for the second-highest since 2000.
Who? Jets QB Mike White, making his first NFL start, dissected the Bengals one dink and dunk at a time, completing 37 of 45 for 405 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT, 2 sacks, QB rating 107.9. He completed his first 11 passes and set an NFL record for the most total completions in a player's first start. He shook off two first quarter interceptions. The Jets entered with an offense ranked 31st.
Flag? The Bengals came up with a 3rd and 11 stop with 1:53 to go, but a BS personal foul on Mike Hilton gave the Jets a first down and that was ballgame. Hilton was going low for the wrap/tackle and collided with the helmet of the receiver......who also appeared to lower his body. Not sure what Hilton was supposed to do.
Big nothing: On Jets second possession, Jesse Bates picked a tipped pass and rambled 65 yards to the Jets one-yard line. But they Bengals came away with nothing after Mixon -1, Mixon -1, Chase drop and Burrow was sacked. Taylor bypassed the FG on 4th and goal at Jets 3. It was the first time in 14 redzone trips they did not come away with points.
Big settle: Leading 14-7 with 2:40 left in the half, the Bengals turned the Jets over when Vonn Bell stripped and recovered a fumble. They then used trickery to get to the Jets seven yard line. Boyd hooked up with Mixon on a 46-yard double pass. It was 1st and goal at the 7. But they settled for a 22-yard FG from the three-yard line. There was miscommunication on an endzone pass to Boyd/Uzomah. The Jets then turned right around and rolled 67 yards on 8 plays for a TD to cut the Bengals lead to 17-14 at the half.
Big something: Leading 24-20 in the third quarter, the Bengals marched 12 plays/75 yards, converting 3rd and 10, 3rd and 4 and scored on a Boyd 3rd and 6 catch to make it 31-20. It was big answer following the Jets FG. Could have been an immediate three-and-out :20 drive without the initial 3rd down conversion.....a tough fight for the line by CJ Uzomah on 3rd and 10.
Burrow: 21 of 34, 259 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT, 3 sacks...rating 102.5. He created and made some hellacious throws on the move. He extended, rolled to his left and threw across his body for a 2-yard TD dart to Chase. His 54-yarder to Tee Higgins was sweet. He was visibly ticked at multiple points in the game, including a miscommunication in the endzone. He got smacked several times. He had a number of passes deflected at the line.
A change to sudden change: Burrows late interception was the Jets first of the season. They had not picked off a pass in their previous eight games. It also became the first turnover that the opposition turned into a TD vs the Bengals defense (9 total turnovers).
Run game, anyone? The Bengals rushed 16 times for 41 yards (2.4). Mixon: 14-33-2.4.
WR core: Boyd: 5 catches, 69 yards, TD. He also had a sweet double pass throw from Burrow to Mixon for 46-yards. Higgins 4-97, including a spectacular 26-yard one handed, leaping catch. Chase 3 catches on 9 targets, 32 yards TD....his 7th of the season....but two drops.
Flag on the play: After I praised them all week for one penalty last week and the fewest in the NFL, they committed 5 for 51 yards, including two personal fouls and a pass interference.
Injured: Jackson Carman went down with an injury inside final 3:00 of the game. He passed up the cart that was called out, and walked off with help. Trey Hill replaced him.
+/- The Bengals finished +2 in takeaways and lost.
3 by 9: The Bengals have lost 3 games by a total of 9 points.