The Jets and Bengals are heading in opposite directions. With every win, the Jets move closer to a record that takes them out of running for the best draft prospects but closer to competency in the AFC. The Bengals, though, look destined for the top pick in April and an unknown future in 2020.
The Week 13 matchup, then, is a crossroads for the two teams. The Jets can prove their win streak isn’t a fluke – despite it coming against the 0-11 Bengals – while the Bengals can prove how dedicated they are – or not, if they win – to tanking. Whichever outcome occurs won’t affect the AFC playoff picture in any real way, but it could play a huge role in the futures of the Jets and Bengals.
Here are four things to know for the Week 13 matchup.
Battle of special teams
Special teams and field position can be critical components to a football game and Week 13 pits two teams with great units against each other. The Bengals rank first in Football Outsiders’ special teams DVOA, while the Jets rank third.
Once again, Brant Boyer turned the Jets into one of the better special teams units in the league, and the Jets rank first in kick coverage DVOA. But the Bengals, meanwhile, are first in kick return DVOA and average 28.9 yards per kickoff return – second in the league. On punts, the Jets average the second-most yards per return (10.1) while the Bengals allow the fifth-fewest yards per return (5.3). Special teams may seem boring, but it could very easily swing this game one direction or another.
Bengals give up the most yards per game
The Jets shouldn’t have trouble moving the ball against a Bengals defense that gives up a league-most 417.2 yards per game. Sam Darnold is rolling of late, having completed 65.2 percent of his passes for an average of 279.3 yards per game with nine total touchdowns during the Jets’ three-game winning streak. That type of production should continue against Cincinnati’s porous defense.
A methodical offensive approach featuring a bevy of runs, passes and big-play shots should keep the Bengals on their toes and allow the Jets to control the field and time of possession. Turnovers could prove the most costly, though the Bengals haven’t been good at taking away the ball, either.
Jets haven’t won 4 consecutive since 2015
Cupcake schedule or not, the Jets have the chance to do something they haven’t done since Dec. 19, 2015: win four consecutive games. Though the game is potentially meaningless (the Jets have less than a 1 percent chance of making the playoffs) it would be a great morale boost for Adam Gase’s squad to keep winning.
In a way, the 2015 Jets share a lot of similarities with the 2019 Jets. Both feature a first-year head coach (Todd Bowles and Gase) and built momentum with a string of wins in the second half of the season. The 2015 Jets won five consecutive games after a 5-5 start to the season but failed to make the playoffs after a Week 17 to the Bills.
Darryl Roberts is back
For better or worse, the Jets are getting healthy. Cornerback Darryl Roberts, who the Jets re-signed this offseason to start alongside Trumaine Johnson, is set to return after a three-game absence for a calf injury. This is big for the Jets secondary that’s actually played well without Roberts. Rookies Bless Austin and Arthur Maulet have played admirably on the outside without Roberts and Johnson, and the Jets should keep that duo in the starting lineup for both consistency’s sake and to slowly work Roberts back to game speed.
Roberts didn’t play particularly well when he started for the Jets, but his presence should provide a solid bench boost for a team that is woefully thin in the secondary. The Bengals offer a good spot for Roberts to regain his confidence in coverage and help him become a solid contributor for the Jets down the stretch as Austin and Maulet continue to develop as starters.
