It wasn't exactly how he'd like it to happen, but Jets Head Coach Rex Ryan will sure take it. The New York Jets suppressed the home team Cincinnati Bengals Saturday in a 24-14 victory, despite giving up 171 yards on the ground.
After being shut out last week, the Bengals took advantage of early field position to take a 7-0 lead off a Carson Palmer pass to Laveranues Coles in the endzone. From there it was all Jets. Rookie QB Mark Sanchez completed 12 of his 15 passes for 182 yards, including a well-called bootleg where he found tight end Dustin Keller for 45 yards and a score. Sanchez was backed-up by 164 combined yards on the ground from rookie back Shonn Greene and veteran Thomas Jones. Most importantly, Sanchez didn't turn the ball over.
Yeah, this passing thing didn't happen much.
The same cannot be said for the Bengals, who committed two costly turnovers in the cold weather. An early Coles fumble cost them at least a field goal and an ill-placed ball from Palmer to Chad Ochocinco was intercepted by Darelle Revis. Aside from those mistakes, kicker Shayne Graham missed his two field goal attempts, both of which were in the second half. Carson Palmer may not be like the elite quarterback he once was, but his receivers were over-matched and couldn't hold onto the ball.
After all the posturing and talk, Ochocinco was shut down by Revis for the second straight week, accumulating only 2 catches for 28 yards in the loss. Revis simply manned up on Ochocinco and removed him from the offense with physicality. The Jets D may feel angry about the rushing yards they gave up, but holding Palmer to 18-36 passing and only 110 yards total is a feat to build on.
A 14-7 halftime lead turned into 21-7 by the end of the third quarter, ensuring Ryan's Jets will live to see another round of the playoffs, where they will face either the Colts or the Chargers depending on the outcome of tomorrow's other AFC match-up. The Bengals will go home after a tumultuous season full of heartache.
Playoff predictions so far: 1-0. Giggity.
***Late Edit: Braylon Edwards still has god-awful hands.
I'll be back later to wrap up the Cowboys and Eagles!
