Hard-fought, exciting, frustrating and emotionally-charged are all descriptions one can use when talking about the season opener between the Jets and the Bengals.
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AFC rivals had a mix of movements throughout the rankings. It wasn’t pretty, but they got the job done.
Everything seemed to be going the New York Jets’ way as they kicked off their season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals on the emotional 15 year anniversary of 9/11.
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. Ryan Fitzpatrick and the New York Jets kept getting close to the end zone.
It was clear Revis couldn’t be left “on an island”, so to speak, against one of the game’s best receivers.
Of course, the Jets got a field goal, and a short while later, so did the Bengals, and after a HUGE drop by Marshall, a run-of-the-mill Ryan Fitzgibbons ended this one the same way as last season’s painful loss to the Bills – with an interception. “In Year 10, maybe it’s time to start making that transition now”, USA Today said in their notes of the team.
“You have to understand (something) about me”, Bowles said. “I don’t want to start 0-2, though”. And the loser of that matchup will also be 0-2 in the conference.
“I don’t know why everyone’s talking about sense of urgency”, Marshall said.
Later, Bowles explained that he told the players he wanted them to move past the Cincinnati game, looking ahead. Dalton had a puzzling day: He threw for 366 yards against the Jets … but also was sacked a career-high seven times. Coach Marvin Lewis knows that the leaky line is one area that needs to improve starting next week against Pittsburgh. “It hurts and it stings to watch some of that, but you try to learn from it and get better”. Leonard Williams led the way for Gang Green with 2.5 of those seven sacks. “No matter who we play this week there’s going to be a sense of urgency”.
The scoring in the game started with NY driving 78 yards on 10 plays on their first possession, capping it off by a three-yard pass from Fitzpatrick to Quincy Enunwa for a touchdown.
The Jets went into the game saying they would mix up the coverage on Green, and not leave only Revis on him.
It was easy to point the finger at the cornerback, but it wasn’t entirely Revis’ fault.
Darrelle Revis then rested his hands on his hips and gently shook his head as A.J. Green celebrated behind him. He’s a first-ballot Hall of Famer for sure. After the game, Revis acknowledged that “it probably wasn’t one of my better games”, but added, “I can take a punch on the chin”.
CB Darrelle Revis had a similar approach to last year’s last loss, still feeling it some but not dwelling on it too much.
The New York Jets and Buffalo Bills each played during the 1pm ET time slot, with the Miami Dolphins scheduled for 4:05pm, and the New England Patriots playing in the Sunday Night Football game.
Coach Todd Bowles said the Jets must fix the mistakes they made in Sunday’s 23-22 loss to Cincinnati.
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Green’s monster game – 12 catches for 180 yards and one touchdown – lifted the Bengals to a 23-22 win over Revis and the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Plus, the Jets follow Thursday with four tough games: at Chiefs, Seahawks, at Steelers, at Cardinals.
