Jets-Bengals: Gang Green Keeps Cinci Winless

The Ocho Cinco curse looms on for at least another week for the Cincinnati Bengals. After losing to the Giants in week three, the Bengals returned to the Meadowlands looking to earn their first win of the season. Unfortunately, what stood in their way was a well-rested New York Jets team whose only miscue came in their first possession.

Thanks to big plays by the defense and a solid performance from Thomas Jones, the Jets would edge their counterparts 26-14.

It all went wrong for the Jets on the first third down when Brett Favre fumbled the ball as he was sacked. This allowed Chinedum Ndukwe to recover for a 15-yard return, quickly putting the Bengals on top 7-0. The Jets responded by scoring three times, two of which were reversed by the officials.

An ineligible downfield pass, followed by a pass interference, would cause the Jets to face a third-and-long until the Bengals got into the mix and committed a pass interference of their own. Favre then connected with Jones for a short TD, tying the game up and keeping the flags at bay.

The Jets would get on the board twice before the Bengals could respond. First, a 38-yard FG by Jay Feely and then thanks to a fumble by back up Ryan Fitzpatrick, Thomas Jones would rush in his second score of the day putting the Jets up 17-7.

Fitzpatrick would rebut with a rush of his own after leading his team down the field, utilizing T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Chad Ocho Cinco effectively. The teams headed into the half with the score 17-14.
 
That would be the only scoring the Bengals would have for the rest of the game, unlike the Jets who would add nine more points, including another Jones rush to eventually make it 26-14.

Unlike their performance against the Cardinals, the Jets' offense didn’t hit its stride but still looked dangerous at times. It looked like Favre's arm was back on Mangini's leash as he failed to break 200 yards for the second time this year.

The receiving corps failed to register a touchdown for the first time this year, despite Jerricho Cotchery and Laverneous Coles catching over 50 yards. Overall, it was an ugly win for Gang Green, who become 3-2 and improve to 3-0 after a bye week under Mangini.

Next week the team travels back to California to take on the 1-4 Oakland Raiders with hopes to build on this chemistry.