The New York Jets secured their first win of the season in a dramatic 39-38 comeback victory against the Cincinnati Bengals [7]. The win, however, was overshadowed by the passing of former Jets center Nick Mangold at the age of 41, just hours before kickoff [8, 9]. Mangold, who had recently announced he was battling kidney disease, was remembered as a beloved teammate and a defining figure in Jets history [8].
Key Moments
The Jets faced a significant deficit, trailing 31-16 early in the fourth quarter [4]. Breece Hall spearheaded the comeback, rushing for a game-high 133 yards and two touchdowns, including a crucial 5-yard score [4]. Hall also threw a touchdown pass to Mason Taylor, tying the game at 38-38 [4]. After the Jets scored to take a one-point lead, the Bengals had an opportunity to win, but Jermaine Johnson and the Jets defense stepped up on the final drive [3]. Nick Folk then sealed the victory with the winning PAT [3]. The Jets defense struggled for much of the game, allowing the Bengals to consistently answer their scores [6]. Cincinnati took a 24-13 lead into halftime after scoring 24 first-half points [6].
Player Impact
Justin Fields, the Jets' quarterback, emphasized the importance of the win [3, 4]. Edge Jermaine Johnson acknowledged the defense's subpar performance but praised the offense for its resilience [3]. "It wasn't a great performance at all," Johnson said [3]. Breece Hall's versatility proved crucial, contributing both as a runner and a passer [4]. The performance featured vintage plays reminiscent of Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams, who were showcased in a recent episode of "One Jets Drive" [1]. Aaron Glenn, the Jets' head coach, delivered a passionate locker room speech following the victory [2].
TL;DR
- The Jets overcame a double-digit deficit to defeat the Bengals 39-38, marking their first win of the season [7].
- Breece Hall had a standout performance, rushing for 133 yards and two touchdowns, plus throwing a touchdown pass [4].
- The victory was bittersweet, arriving hours after the passing of former Jets center Nick Mangold [8, 9].
- Despite defensive struggles, the Jets defense made a crucial stop on the final drive to secure the win [3, 6].