Introduction to the Game
The New York Jets have achieved a remarkable comeback, defeating the Cincinnati Bengals 39-38 and securing their first win of the 2025 season. This victory marks a significant turnaround for the team, which had been struggling to find its footing.
The Game-Changing Play
Oct 26, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; New York Jets tight end Mason Taylor (85) celebrates after scoring a touch down during the fourth quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images
Call your loved ones, call a friend, call the local pastor, because a miracle in Cincinnati just resulted in the New York Jets doing something they have not done since Jan. 5: Win a football game. Gang Green scored 23 points in the fourth quarter and overturned a 14-point deficit with 10:31 remaining to defeat the Cincinnati Bengals 39-38 and give head coach Aaron Glenn his first win since his hiring back in March.
Post-Game Reaction
“Very, very exciting,” Glenn said. “I told these guys at halftime that these are the games that I can really tell the mental and physical toughness of our team and the grit that we’ve been talking about that we have to play with to win these games… I’m proud of these guys. I’m proud of the way they fought.” With it, the Jets (1-7) avoided just their third-ever 0-8 start in franchise history, which would have tied the 1996 club for their second-worst start. New York started the 2020 campaign 0-13 before finishing 2-14.
Player Performance
Redemption was aplenty on Sunday afternoon in Paycor Stadium. Jets quarterback Justin Fields might not have been starting if Tyrod Taylor (ankle) had been healthy, after he was bashed by owner Woody Johnson for his poor play earlier in the week. The 26-year-old responded by putting together his best game yet as a Jet, completing 21 of 32 passes for 244 yards and a passing touchdown with 65 additional yards on the ground. He managed to do all of this without each of his top two receivers, Garrett Wilson and Josh Reynolds, who were unavailable due to injury.
Key Players
“Who he is as a person, his faith, and the way he goes about his business, he was primed to be able to handle situations like this,” Glenn said of Fields. “It’s so unfair that he gets criticized so much. But I told him, being a high pick and being a quarterback in the New York area, criticism, responsibility, and expectations follow you… Some of it is unwarranted, but we understand… He’s the perfect person to be able to handle everything that’s been thrown at him. He’s a special person.” It was running back Breece Hall, who overcame injury issues of his own this week, who made the difference. While he posted 133 rushing yards and two scores on 18 carries, he also threw the game-winning touchdown pass to Mason Taylor with 1:54 in regulation.
Turning Point
The toss play sent Hall toward the right sideline before pulling up before the line of scrimmage and lofting a pass into the arms of the tight end, who had to make the contested catch over a defender in the back of the end zone. After Chase Brown’s one-yard touchdown run put the Bengals up 38-24 with 10:21 left, the Jets got to within eight when Hall scampered in from 27 yards out. Fields then connected with Isaiah Davis for the two-point conversion to make it a six-point game with 7:52 to go. The Jets’ defense, which did not have star cornerback Sauce Gardner and had been burned all day by an old friend in quarterback Joe Flacco, then forced just one of three Bengals punts to set up what was their game-winning drive.
Conclusion
The New York Jets’ comeback victory over the Cincinnati Bengals marks a significant turning point in their season. With their first win under their belt, the team can now look to build momentum and work towards a stronger second half of the season. The performance of key players like Justin Fields and Breece Hall will be crucial in determining the team’s success going forward.
FAQs
- Q: What was the final score of the game between the New York Jets and the Cincinnati Bengals?
A: The New York Jets won 39-38. - Q: Who was the star player for the New York Jets in the game?
A: Breece Hall made a significant impact, throwing the game-winning touchdown pass and rushing for 133 yards and two scores. - Q: What was the significance of the win for the New York Jets?
A: The win marked the team’s first victory of the 2025 season and helped them avoid a 0-8 start.
