The Jets offense showed signs of life on Sunday. Now, they need to figure out if their offense can actually be saved.
The Jets rolled up 502 total yards, their most since a game in 2021. They gained 254 yards rushing, again the most since a game in 2021. Quarterback Justin Fields played his best game of the season, throwing the ball effectively and mixing in some runs. Breece Hall had two rushing touchdowns, 133 rushing yards and threw the game-winning touchdown pass.
Everything that offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand dialed up seemed to work in the 39-38 comeback win over the Bengals.
“I thought Tanner did a really good job of really managing the game and putting our guys in positions to be successful,” Jets coach Aaron Glenn said Monday. “We were very aggressive when it came to running the ball and just showing our brand of football when it comes to running the ball and being physical, and then also being aggressive of pushing the ball down the field with Justin, so he can go out and make the plays he needs to make. And I thought Justin did a hell of a job of managing the game.”
The offensive explosion was stunning considering the Jets had not even scored a touchdown in their last two games.
They were only two weeks removed from a performance in London when they had minus-10 net passing yards against the Broncos and a week removed from Glenn benching Fields at halftime.
The question now is whether the Jets actually figured out some things on offense or if it was more a product of facing a Bengals defense that is ranked last in the NFL in yards and points allowed.
“The next step is finding way to churn out offense like that week in, week out,” center Josh Myers said. “That’s what we’re going to get back and start working on.”
There were many stars on offense for the Jets in this game, but the day’s gutsiest performance came from Fields, who was under fire all week. Fields had been benched at halftime against the Panthers and then had to compete for the starting job with Tyrod Taylor. Jets owner Woody Johnson offered some harsh criticism of Fields and the quarterback admitted after the game it had been an emotional week for him.
The offensive line gave Fields time to operate and he moved the Jets offense efficiently and led three fourth-quarter touchdown drives.
“Back against the wall and that’s what you do? That’s somebody that I want to play with,” defensive tackle Harrison Phillips said. “There’s a reason there’s a ‘C’ on his chest.”
Glenn had plenty of praise for Fields, but would not commit to him being the starter on Nov. 9, when the Jets face the Browns after their bye week.
“I think you know what my answer’s going to be on that,” Glenn said. “You know, this is a bye week and we’re going to focus on us. And, listen, I have time to make that decision, and that’s one of the good things of the bye week. But seriously, this gives us a chance to really just hone in on the good, bad, and ugly, and try to get those things worked out because we know we have a ways to go.”
Glenn thought Fields showed his toughness on Sunday.
“His personality, his faith, his family, man they do a really good job of keeping him grounded and keeping him steady,” Glenn said. “There are so many levels to things that he goes through as a person and as a player that. I think sometimes we look at athletes at this magnitude of they’re not humans, they’re robots, and there’s so many things that’s attacked at so many different levels on these guys that, man they’re humans and they have feelings. They go through things.”
While the Jets offense played well Sunday, the defense took a step back. Glenn is hoping to see a week when the Jets put together a complete game.
“It seemed like we’re in this valley and then we had these peaks when it comes to offense and defense,” Glenn said. “I just look forward to the time we can all put it together and play true complementary football and go out and win games that we want to win.”
