Gregg Williams’ defense continues to impress and now they’ll have another chance to show off against the 0-11 Bengals and one of the worst scoring offenses in the league. Cincinnati ranks 31st in points with 14.3 and the Jets should feast on a team that also ranks top-five in giveaways (22) and sacks allowed (40).
However, the Jets can’t overlook the lowly Bengals. Remember the last time the Jets faced a winless football team? They gave up 26 points and lost an embarrassing game against the Dolphins. The Bengals are objectively worse offensively than the Dolphins, but they’re starting a well-rested veteran quarterback in Andy Dalton and feature a dual-threat running back in Joe Mixon.
Here are four keys to the Jets defense against the Bengals.
Pressure Andy Dalton
The Bengals offense might see a slight rejuvenation with Andy Dalton back under center, so the Jets should pressure him early in order to take away the passing threat. Despite the Bengals’ winless record, Dalton actually ranks seventh in the NFL with 281.5 passing yards per game and the Bengals have scored 17 or more points in six of his eight starts this season. The Bengals’ line is still a sieve, and the Jets should have no trouble getting to Dalton – especially with the pass rush playing as well as it has the past few weeks.
Stop Joe Mixon
There aren’t many offensive playmakers on the Bengals, but running back Joe Mixon is the closest thing. Mixon’s had a horrendous season but his numbers of late have been encouraging for Cincinnati. He is averaging 102.6 total yards per game (86.3 rushing and 16.3 receiving) on 22.5 touches.
The Jets’ elite rush defense should be able to hold Mixon, but they’ll need to account for him – and Gio Bernand – in the passing game.
Force turnovers
The Bengals give up the third-most turnovers in the NFL (22) and that trend must continue for the Jets to be successful in Week 13. If you can believe it, the only game the Jets didn’t force a turnover this season was against the then-winless Dolphins. The Jets underestimated an underperforming team and it led to their demise.
The Bengals have been competitive in games, especially ones they didn’t turn the ball over. Winning the turnover battle will put the Jets in a much better position to win their fourth consecutive game.
Don’t underestimate a bad offense
Gregg Williams has his defense playing its best football of the season and that should continue against one of the worst offenses in the league, but the Jets should be wary of the potential trap game the Bengals present. There are just too many signs that cannot be ignored – from Dalton’s return to the complacency of facing a winless team to the hubris that comes with a three-game winning streak.
The Jets cannot afford to do what they did against the Dolphins five weeks ago an expect to walk out of Cincinnati with an easy win. The Jets defense must continue to play aggressive and confident against a team hungry for its first win. Losing to another winless team would destroy all the momentum built from the previous three weeks.
