NY Jets: Scouting the Cincinnati Bengals ahead of Week 8

Could it have been any worse? After the NY Jets fell to the New England Patriots by a score of 54-13, they later found out that hopeful-franchise quarterback Zach Wilson sprained his PCL during the contest.

With an MRI revealing a 2-4 week recovery time, widely considered the best-case scenario, Gang Green has gone ahead and acquired veteran quarterback Joe Flacco from the Philadelphia Eagles.

Flacco, 36, had a brief stint at Florham Park in 2020. He started four games for the green and white, resulting in an 0-4 record throughout that stretch.

It’s apparent that the Jets weren’t all too comfortable trotting out former fifth-round pick Mike White to fill in for the injured Wilson. Although, with Flacco still needing some time to get acclimated, White will get the start against Cincinnati.

Flacco is driving back up the turnpike as a player who is familiar with the offense, and someone who the Jets believe will give them a better chance to win games.

There aren’t many positives to touch on when revisiting the stomping that the Jets endured in Foxboro. So, we won’t make you read that.

The NY Jets will face a tough challenge against the Bengals in Week 8

What may be worth reading is information regarding this week’s matchup. A Halloween special against the red-hot Cincinnati Bengals and the season debut of the team’s “Stealth Black” jerseys.

The Jets are heading back to MetLife Stadium without a victory since their last appearance in East Rutherford, resulting in a win over the Tennessee Titans.

This game isn’t as easy to convince fans to attend, nor is it to convince them to even watch it from home. This team, as it currently stands, is borderline unwatchable. This comes after years of dysfunction and agony that this franchise has bestowed upon its fanbase.

Nevertheless, the Jets still exist. And they still exist with the sole purpose to produce an entertaining product for its loyal, hardcore fans to, one day, enjoy.

The Jets are set to welcome in the Bengals, led by second-year quarterback Joe Burrow, to New Jersey. Cincinnati, bolstering a 5-2 record atop the AFC North, are looking to continue their dominance against a Jets team that is battered and bruised.

The Jets will be looking to mitigate a rushing attack led by fifth-year running back Joe Mixon. Mixon, who is currently third in the NFL in rushing yards, can easily break a long run on any given down.

The potential return of linebacker C.J. Mosley, who is currently considered day-to-day with a hamstring injury, should certainly help strengthen the Jets’ core defense.

Mixon isn’t the only problem the Jets will have to deal with on the opposing offense.

First-year wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase is taking the league by storm. Holding the record for most receiving yards through seven games, Chase also holds the ability to stretch the field, making it utterly difficult for opposing defenders to attempt to cover him from down to down.

Not to mention the rise of former No. 1 overall pick Joe Burrow, the Bengals’ offense will likely be off-and-running right out of the gate.

On the offensive side of the football for New York, it will be Mike White leading the charge at quarterback.

Usually, when the NY Jets play football, we want to see a competitive performance. We don’t expect that to be the case against Cincinnati, or, at least, for the majority of the game.

It may very well end up being a spooky finish for the green and white, and we think it would be in your best interest to not let the Jets ruin your Halloween this time around.