Never apologize for a win, no matter how sloppy or ugly.
Brett Favre threw for 189 yards and a touchdown, the defense allowed only 171 total yards and Thomas Jones scored three times as the
Jets bested the Bengals 26-14 at the Meadowlands. Jerricho Cotchery and Laveranues Coles both hauled in 8 catches for 85 yards and 61 yards, respectively, and Leon Washington gave the Blue and Gold excellent field position almost every time he touched the ball on special teams.
It wasn't the statement game I was hoping for, but the NFL is a tough league. Just ask the
Washington Redskins. They became the first team to fall to the previously winless St. Louis Rams. The Houston Texans also picked up their first victory of the season against the
Miami Dolphins on Sunday.
Yes, sir. Wins are golden in the National Football League.
REASONS TO GET UP ON MONDAY:D-fense. It was shutdown city by the Jets. The Bengals first first down came with 4:13 remaining in the second quarter. Unfortunately, that drive resulted in a Cincinnati touchdown that cut the Jets lead to 17-14 at the half, but that would be all the Gotham Green would allow. And that drive had a little controversy. Ryan Fitzpatrick's 4-yard pass to Ben Utecht on a 3rd and 3 from the Jets 5-yard line resulted in a first down and the Cats scored two plays later. It looked like Utecht didn't have control of the football and the play could (should) have been ruled incomplete. But no replay. It was inside of two minutes so the challenge had to come from the booth, but it didn't happen. Anyway, the defense didn't allow the Bengals to sniff the goaline in the second half. The Jets finished with 5 sacks, a fumble recovery and allowed only 43 yards on the ground. Calvin Pace continues to show he was worth the huge contract (1 sack, 4 tackles and constant pressures) and Kris Jenkins is a game-changing man-mountain in the middle.
Thomas Jones. It wasn't a stellar day statistically for TJ (65 yards rushing, 3.8 yards per carry), but No. 20 hit paydirt not once, not twice, but thrice. Jones helped the Jets knot the score at 7-7 with a 2-yard touchdown grab in the first quarter. Jones helped the Gotham Green extend their lead to 17-7 with a 7-yard scamper in the second and then dropped the hammer with a 1-yard touchdown plunge with 2:22 left in the game. The three touchdowns were a career high for Jones, who must have taken a bit of satisfaction doing it with former Chicago Bears teammate Cedric Benson (who rushed four times for six yards) watching on the Cincinnati sidelines. The running game still hasn't clicked for the TJ and the Jets, but it was the first time since Opening Day the team scored a rushing touchdown. Just a matter of time. I hope.
Jay Feely. I haven't been a big fan of Feely since he missed his first kick against the Patriots in Week 2, but he may have turned the corner for me with his two field goals on Sunday. Oh, they weren't 50-yarders or anything (38 yards and 43 yards, respectively), but they proved vital in this contest. Way to contribute, Jay.
REASONS TO SLEEP IN ON MONDAY:Giving it all away. For the second time in three games, the Jets gave up a touchdown on offense. The Bengals jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead when Favre fumbled after being sacked by Antwan Odom. Chinedum Ndukwe picked up the loose ball and rumbled 15 yards for the score. Unacceptable. The Jets lost the turnover battle 3 to 1 and still came out on top (this time), but better teams will make you pay for coughing up the ball. Especially if they result in touchdowns.
No killer instinct. Once again the Jets had a chance to step on the throat of an opponent and once again they couldn't do it. Gang Green jumped out to a 17-7 lead after falling behind early and had complete control of the football game. But a turnover here, a poor offensive series there and a defensive lapse late in the first half kept the Bengals in a ballgame they had no business being in. There was no way the Jets should have needed a touchdown late in the game to seal the victory.
The Jets moved to 3-2 on the season and 3-1 "all-time" wearing the throwback Titans jerseys. Up next, a trip to the West Coast to take on the struggling 1-4 Oakland Raiders.
Ah, facing a team with one victory.
Kinda takes the pressure off, doesn't it?
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