The good time came to an abrupt end for the New York Jets, who fell to a previously winless squad for the second time this season.
The New York Jets‘ November winning streak covered up the fact that the month’s proceedings opened with a loss to the Miami Dolphins. It might be harder to mask another listless showing against a team with an alarming lack of wins at this point of the season.
Andy Dalton returned to the Bengals’ starting lineup with 243 yards and a score, while Sam Darnold was sacked four times. The Bengals’ dominance allowed them to finally earn a win, as they topped the Jets 22-6 on Sunday afternoon at Paul Brown Stadium.
More good times appeared to be well on the way for the Jets (4-8), who scored on their opening possession for the sixth consecutive game. A touchdown was denied, but they nonetheless took an early lead through a Sam Ficken field goal from 42 yards out.
After the teams exchanged punts, the first signs of trouble emerged when the Bengals put up a seven-play, 62-yard drive that ended with a 17-yard scoring hookup between Dalton and Tyler Boyd. Cincinnati would add a field goal off the foot of Randy Bullock, as well as a five-yard score from Joe Mixon to build a two-possession lead in the second quarter. The latter tally capped off a 91-yard drive for the Bengals.
.@AndyDalton14 is now the @Bengals all-time leader in passing touchdowns!
?: #NYJvsCIN on CBS
?: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app
Watch free on mobile: https://t.co/uPnyeJSIAR pic.twitter.com/tFJOFC28pq— NFL (@NFL) December 1, 2019
I can't believe we were ever questioning Joe Mixon's ability. This kid is so good. Great patience and vision to find the open lane for the touchdown. pic.twitter.com/b0m8KrII8f
— Zack Patraw (@NFL_Zack) December 1, 2019
Ficken was able to boot another field goal to create a 17-6 halftime deficit.
Alas for the Jets, they were unable to conjure a comeback. Cincinnati (1-11) afforded them opportunities via ill-advised punts and a missed field goal, but the Jets failed to take advantage.
So woeful was the Jets’ Sunday that they failed to reach the red zone. Bullock would add another field goal for Cincinnati, while a Jets holding penalty in their own end zone created a safety. On top of all of that, the Bengals sacked Darnold four times. Carlos Dunlap accounted for a career-best three.
???@Carlos_Dunlap moves into second on the #Bengals all-time sack list.#NYJvsCIN | #SeizeTheDEY pic.twitter.com/dMRNbYPePz
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) December 1, 2019
The Jets will return home next Sunday, as they face the Miami Dolphins for the second time this season (1 p.m., CBS).
