N.Y. Jets Throttle Up The Bengals

From the desk: WALT MICHAELS' REVENGE

WEEK EIGHT

Bengals   31

JETS        34

FINAL

Rising Like a Phoenix From The Ashes ... 

A week after getting shot down over New England skies, head coach Robert Saleh and the Jets recovered all their broken parts and somehow pieced themselves back together again.

Robert Salah rearranged the cockpit by sticking his offensive coordinator up in the box instead of down on the field, and by opening kickoff, it was all systems go!

The Jets won the coin flip and elected to receive.  They proceeded on a ten-play 75-yard game-opening drive capped off by Michael Carter's eight-yard romp for a touchdown.  In turn, the defense did not allow a point in the first quarter.

No one was surprised when Cincinnati answered with 17 points in the second quarter.  But the Jets embarked on another eight-play 67-yard drive, and with 0:15 showing on the clock, Braxton Berrios received an eight-yard pass from Mike White to make it a 17-14 game.

Cincinnati went five plays and out to open the third quarter.  Upon receiving the punt, the Jets went on another 13-play 82-yard drive resulting in a field goal and a tie game.  But with the quarter winding down, the Bengals struck back for a 24-17 lead.

The Jets put together yet another ten-play 69-yard drive on their next possession, resulting in a field goal.  Likewise, the Bengals scored on their next possession for a 31-20 lead with 7:29 left in the fourth quarter.

Not only did Mike White lead the Jets on another eight-play 75-yard drive, but he also caught the resulting touchdown pass thrown by running back Ty Johnson.

With the Jets down by five and 4:36 left in the fourth quarter, Shaq Lawson batted and intercepted a Joe Burrow attempt giving the Jets the football back at Cincy's 15-yard line.  Two plays later, Tyler Kroft received a touchdown pass from Mike White, and with a two-point conversion, the Jets seized a 34-31 lead and the final margin of victory.

Just a phenomenally entertaining game ...

In his second NFL game and making his first-ever start, Mike White connected on 37/45 passes for 405 yards, three touchdowns, two INTs, and one touchdown reception.

The Jets amassed 511 total yards!  Both teams had an equal twelve offensive drives, but the Jets held the ball for 36:20 minutes, achieved 14 more first downs, and limited the Bengals to just 41 yards rushing.

Crazy!

N.Y. Jets: The Education of Zack Wilson Continues

From the desk: WALT MICHAELS' REVENGE

WEEK TWO

Patriots 25

JETS        6

FINAL

Hard To Survive Four Turnovers

The good news for the Jets, who absolutely, positively need a functioning running game to advance Zack Wilson's development, is Tevin Coleman, Ty Johnson, and Michael Carter joined together on 28 rushes for 133 yards, an average of 4.7 yards per run.  This, minus the services of Mehki Becton.

In my pre-game, I said:

We all know Bill Belichick will take away what little rushing ability the Jets have, play cover-two, and force Zack Wilson into making mistakes between the numbers.  The million-dollar question is, will Zack Wilson get baited into Belichick's traps.  He played last week with a less than full complement of ball handlers.  Some of those players should be available on Sunday.

We know how that turned out.  

Gang Green held the Patriots to 101 yards on the ground, only 186 yards passing, and even sacked Mac Jones three times.  Zack Wilson was 19/33 (57.5%) for 210 yards but forced too many passes and wound up throwing four interceptions, albeit two were tipped, which still doesn't detract from the fact he threw into heavy traffic.

The Jets even won time-of-possession, out-passed the Patriots by 76 yards, out-ran them by 51 yards, not to mention nine first downs on the ground.  But it's still too tricky surviving four turnovers.

The education of Zack Wilson continues.