Lack of pass-rush and offense has the Jets facing double-digit halftime deficit

So much for all that momentum from Cleveland. The Jets have come out absolutely flat against the Bengals. At least Greg Zuerlein has been good so far, going 3/3 on the day. But the Jets trail the Bengals at the half, 20-9.

The hope was that the Jets would get some pressure on Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow. They’ve gotten a little pressure but so far, just one sack of Burrow, done by Quinnen Williams, who now currently leads the Jets with 1.5 sacks this season.

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Not only that, the third-down defense has once again failed the Jets when they needed it the most, including a back-breaking touchdown on a 3rd and 7 from Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd, where he bounced off of two Jets defenders, Jordan Whitehead and Michael Carter II, before going 56 yards for the score on the last play of the first quarter. Overall, the Bengals are 4/8 on third down, with both of their touchdowns coming on third down. Four of the Bengals’ seven possessions have ended with points.

The Jets have already allowed two Bengals receivers to crack 90 yards (Tee Higgins 93, Boyd 91). Burrow is 14/25 for 215 yards and two touchdowns with a QB rating of 111.2.

The Jets offense has shown almost no life, going back to their ways from Week 1 against the Ravens. After scoring field goals in their first two possessions, the Jets have punted three times and Joe Flacco threw an interception to Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson. Flacco has also been sacked twice and has a quarterback rating of 56, going just 12/20 for 119 yards with the pick.

The Jets are 4/10 on third down and are being outgained by the Bengals, 221-140 in the first half. They have held the Bengals to just 13 rushing yards, but only have 22 rushing yards of their own.

One positive has again been the Jets cornerbacks. D.J. Reed and Sauce Gardner are once again showing they are incredible cornerbacks, including Gardner making some terrific plays against Bengals stud wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase. Gardner is not afraid to go toe-to-toe with anybody. He already has two pass breakups, while Reed, C.J. Mosley and Quincy Williams each have one.

Garrett Wilson also continued his strong start, but he is currently questionable to return with a rib injury. The Bengals are now without defensive tackle D.J. Reader, who is out with a knee injury.

The Jets get the ball to start the second half.