The New York Jets finally came out with a win in the season opener, as they defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 31-24. The Gang Green totally smothered the Bengals on the ground, gaining 219 rushing yards and allowing just 113.
RB Curtis Martin looked like the Curtis Martin we saw 4-5 years ago. He gained 196 yards on the ground and also scored on a 24-yard TD run that turned out to be the winning score for the Jets. QB Chad Pennington also looked very solid, as he completed 20 of 27 passes for 224 yards, 2 TDs and no interceptions. In the middle of the first quarter Pennington connected with Curtis Martin on a 9-yard TD pass, and later in the same quarter he precisely delivered a 46-yard bomb to WR Jonathan Carter to give the Jets a 14-7 lead.
In the third quarter CB Donnie Abraham scooped up a lost fumble forced by LB Sam Cowart and scored on a 41-yard fumble return. The Jets took a 21-10 lead but the Bengals just refused to give up. Five minutes later QB Carson Palmer scored his first NFL touchdown, cutting the lead to 21-17.
The teams exchanged scoring drives in the fourth quarter and with less than four minutes to go in the last quarter the Bengals found themselves within just one score from tying the game. Jets rookie S Erik Coleman, however, had no plans to lose his first NFL game. Right after the two minute warning Coleman intercepted Carson Palmer and sealed the victory for the Jets.
The Jets were able to amass a total of 438 yards, but also gave up 351 (238 in the air). While the run defense performed rather well, limiting RB Rudy Johnson to just 70 yards on 24 carries, the pass defense clearly disappointed. The Jets were unable to pressure Palmer on a regular basis, which resulted in a few long completions, one of them was a 53-yard TD pass, and a 67% third down effectiveness for the Bengals.
LB Sam Cowart led the defense with 14 tackles (12 solo), while DE John Abraham recorded the only Jets' sack of the game.
WR Justin McCareins led the Jets' receivers with 5 receptions for 66 yards, WR Santana Moss added 4 for 55 yards. WR Wayne Chrebet who saw his first action since November caught two passes for 21 yards.
Next Sunday the Jets will take on the Chargers in San Diego. The kickoff is at 4:15 PM EST.