The LOLJets are back. The New York Jets (4-8) won three games in a row, but took two steps back after losing to the 0-11 Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.
The 22-6 loss to the Bengals (1-11) marked the second time this season that the Jets lost to a winless team. The LOLJets gifted the tanking Miami Dolphins, 0-7 at the time, their first victory of the season in Week 8.
This baffling Jets squad defeated the Dallas Cowboys and Oakland Raiders, but looked atrocious against both the Dolphins and the Bengals.
The Jets played down to their competition once again. They lost two games to teams that were a combined 0-18
“It sucks,” said Jets RB, Le’Veon Bell.
The LOLJets made NFL history once again, but it’s not one of those stats that the social media handler will be fluffing up on Instagram. The Jets became the first team in NFL history to lose to two teams that started 0-7 or worse.
The Jets have also lost four consecutive games when they were the favorite.
LOLJets Amateur Hour
The Jets offensive line allowed four sacks. The Jets were also flagged for 10 penalties, including eight flags on offense. A pair of holding penalties called back two big plays.
“It’s terrible,” said Bell. “It’s bad play. When we get big plays that get called back, that’s bad football.”
“We couldn’t really get a rhythm,” added QB Sam Darnold. “Whenever you have penalties, especially on big plays, it’s hard.”
“We just couldn’t stay consistent on anything,” said head coach Adam Gase. “Every time we had something going, we’d shoot ourselves in the foot. I mean, we had eight penalties on offense alone.”
After scoring 34 points in each of the last three games, the Jets offense sputtered. Gang Green only scored six points on a pair of field goals. The Jets were shut out in the second half.
The Jets were held to six or fewer points for the fourth time this season. Darnold attempted a season-high 48 passes, but he completed only 28 for 239 yards and zero touchdowns. The Bengals sacked Darnold four times.
The Jets sunk to 1-5 on the road this season.
Dalton Returns
Andy Dalton won back his starting job after getting benched when the Bengals started 0-8. Rookie, Ryan Finley started a trio of games, but he struggled and the Bengals lost all three. With the Bengals 0-11 — and the possibility of an 0-16 season looming — head coach, Zac Taylor tapped his veteran QB to return to action.
“He had a chip on his shoulder all week,” said RB, Joe Mixon.
Dalton didn’t exactly light it up, but he played good enough to move the ball. Dalton connected on a 17-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Boyd toward the end of the first quarter. He finished 22-for-37 for 243 yards and one touchdown with zero interceptions.
“This one’s very satisfying, with everything I’ve gone through this year,” said Dalton. “To be the record-breaker today, being the first one after not playing the last three weeks, this one means a lot.”
“For him to come back and lead us and get this win, it says a lot about his character,” said coach Taylor.
The Jets boasted the top run defense in the league heading into this matchup against the worst rushing team in the NFL. The Jets held the Bengals to only 44 yards on the ground, but Mixon managed to score a rushing touchdown in the second quarter.
Safety, Jamal Adams injured his foot on the first series, but even with a dinged Adams, the rest of the defense never showed up.
On Deck: Revenge Fish
The LOLJets host the Miami Dolphins (3-9) at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey in Week 14. The Jets are seeking revenge after an embarrassing loss in Week 8. The Dolphins look a lot better than the team they met in South Florida last month. The Fish are fresh off a 37-31 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles (5-7).
The Jets head down to Baltimore in Week 15 to take on Lamar Jackson and the Ravens. At this point, the Ravens are the favorite to win the Super Bowl and Jackson has the inside track to the MVP. The Jets can’t get too far ahead of themselves and overlook the lowly Dolphins.
Revenge games are also fun… if you win them. Nothing hollows out a team more than losing a revenge game against an inferior squad that whooped them twice in the season.
The Jets opened as a favorite by a touchdown, but early money came in on Miami, and the current line is the Jets by -6.
For more weekly misery and angst from a jaded Jets fan, check out the #LOLJets chronicles.
