The Bengals defense forced three turnovers from Jets quarterback Brett Favre, including a 16-yard fumble return for a touchdown by safety Chinedum Ndukwe on the third play of the game. Defensive end Antwan Odom forced the fumble when he sacked Favre and the Bengals twice later intercepted Favre deep in their own territory but any good work by the defensive side of the ball was offset by Cincinnati’s continued offensive struggles.
The Jets limited the Bengals to 171 yards, the fifth time the offense has gained less than 270 yards and the second time it has been held to under 200 yards. The Bengals had the ball for 10 possessions against the Jets and on just two of those drives did they produce more than one first down.
The Bengals scored their lone offensive touchdown with eight seconds remaining in the first half on a 1-yard sneak by quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, who started for the second time in three games for Carson Palmer. The touchdown left the Bengals trailing by just three points, 17-14, after the first 30 minutes and capped a 14-play, 66-yard drive.
Palmer was inactive as his right elbow continues to suffer from inflammation. The two-time Pro Bowl quarterback said after the game that he would remain in the New York area to seek a second medical opinion. Head coach Marvin Lewis reiterated in his post-game comments that Palmer’s injury is considered a week-by-week situation.
Fitzpatrick completed 20 of 33 passes for 152 yards but was sacked five times and lost one fumble that led to a New York touchdown. Fitzpatrick also gained 23 yards on six scrambles; unfortunately for the Bengals that made Fitzpatrick their leading rusher. Chris Perry gained 14 yards on 11 carries, while Cedric Benson managed just six yards on four attempts. The Bengals longest running play of the game was a 4-yard gain by Perry; the longest pass play of the game was a 16-yard completion from Fitzpatrick to Chad Ocho Cinco.
The Jets weren’t much better offensively, but they didn’t need to be. Five times New York started drives in Cincinnati territory and five times the Jets scored points – three touchdowns and two field goals. The Jets produced just 126 yards on those five drives, exactly half of the 252 yards they gained for the game.
Favre finished 25 of 33 passing for 189 yards and one touchdown to go along with the two interceptions. Safeties Marvin White and Corey Lynch each picked off Favre throws in the second half but on both occasions the Bengals took possession inside their own 10-yard line.
The Bengals average drive start was their 20-yard line, while New York’s average starting position on its 11 possessions was its own 46. The Jets did not score when they started a drive on their own half of the field.
The Bengals held the Jets to just 86 yards rushing and contained well against the big play that has plagued them at times this season but New York was able to convert on seven of 14 third-down attempts, including all three tries they had on their final drive when running back Thomas Jones scored his third touchdown of the game on a 1-yard run to provide the final margin. New York ate up 6:18 of the game clock on its 10-play, 41-yard drive.
The Bengals host Pittsburgh next Sunday.