Beckham puts on show in MetLife return, Browns top Jets 23-3

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) Odell Beckham Jr. felt right at home again - in the end zone and on the highlight reels.

With an 89-yard touchdown catch and a spectacular one-handed grab in his return to MetLife Stadium, the Browns wide receiver helped lift Cleveland past the short-handed and banged-up New York Jets 23-3 on Monday night.

''We got the ball in (No.) 13's hands,'' Browns wide receiver Jarvis Landry said, ''and let him go.''

Beckham, traded from the Giants in March, helped the Browns (1-1) bounce back from a 30-point loss to Tennessee in their opener to top the Jets (0-2) and give Freddie Kitchens his first win as Cleveland's coach.

It all came after Beckham called out Jets defensive coordinator Gregg Williams last Thursday, saying the coach - then with the Browns - instructed players to hurt him in a preseason game in 2017. Williams denied Beckham's accusations and jokingly asked reporters: ''Odell who?''

Williams, who led the Browns to a 5-3 record as their interim coach last season, also chided reporters for giving Beckham attention and wouldn't call him one of the NFL's most dynamic players.

''Everything fuels me,'' Beckham said. ''Good comments, bad comments, I feel all of that. I just want to be the very best that I can and be the leader I am supposed to be.''

Well, Williams clearly knows who Beckham is now. The coach was seen shouting angrily on the sideline after Beckham's touchdown.

''Who?'' Beckham said when asked about Williams' comments. ''No, everybody has the right to their own opinion. He's a phenomenal coach, he's got a great defense, but I'm done talking about it, you know? We won, so I just tried to make plays to help the team.''

Beckham finished with six catches for 161 yards and the TD from Baker Mayfield, who couldn't believe Williams' comments.

''He said that? Jesus,'' the Browns quarterback said, shaking his head. ''Next question. Not a dynamic football player? OK.''

New York lost quarterback Trevor Siemian to an ankle injury in the second quarter, and Luke Falk - promoted from the practice squad earlier in the day - played the rest of the game. Siemian was starting in place of Sam Darnold, who's sidelined for at least a few weeks while recovering from mononucleosis.

''Yeah, it's been a weird week,'' Falk said. ''A week ago, I was on the practice squad and then tonight I'm standing in front of you guys after playing in a game.''

The Jets couldn't get anything going on offense, and the Browns blew open the game late in the third quarter.

Falk led the Jets on their longest drive of night to that point - 60 yards - but Le'Veon Bell could only get 1 yard on a fourth-and-2 pass, turning the ball over on downs at the Browns 11.

On the next play, Mayfield hit Beckham with a slant pass, and the receiver outran the Jets' defenders all the way to the end zone for an 89-yard TD that put Cleveland up 23-3 with 3:32 remaining in the third quarter.

''That did it and that was huge for us,'' said running back Nick Chubb, who had a 19-yard TD run. ''We took all the momentum away from them with that long run. After that, it was our game to lose.''

Beckham helped the Browns take a 3-0 lead on their first possession on Austin Seibert's 23-yard field goal - a drive highlighted by a spectacular 33-yard, one-handed grab that got Cleveland down to the Jets 4.

It was reminiscent of Beckham's highlight-reel, one-handed reception for the Giants on ''Sunday Night Football'' as a rookie in 2014. On this one, Mayfield found Beckham down the right sideline, and the receiver stuck out his right hand to snare the ball behind Nate Hairston, starting in place of Trumaine Johnson - in nearly the same spot as his big catch five years ago.

And, yes, Beckham was wearing his expensive watch - despite the NFL telling him last week not to.

Beckham then had to come out of the game briefly because officials made him change his mirrored visor, saying it was reflective. He returned with a clear visor on his helmet.

Seibert's 48-yarder gave the Browns a 6-0 lead with 6:15 left in the opening quarter as Cleveland outgained New York 101-4 in the first quarter.

''We've got to take a hard look at this and figure out what's going on,'' Jets coach Adam Gase said.

NOW WHAT?

Siemian was sidelined after throwing a long incomplete pass to Ryan Griffin. Cleveland's Myles Garrett slammed into him, and fell on top of him. Siemian appeared to roll his left ankle as Garrett, who was penalized for roughing the passer, sent him to the turf.

Siemian was on crutches and his left foot in a walking boot in the locker room. He will have an MRI on Tuesday.

Falk replaced Siemian with 7:58 left in the half and helped the Jets get their first points on a 46-yard field goal by Sam Ficken, the team's fourth kicker since July.

Siemian finished 3 of 6 for 3 yards, while Falk was 20 of 25 for 198 yards as the Jets lost their seventh straight at home, dating to last season.

STATS

Mayfield, who beat the Jets last year in his NFL debut during a Thursday night game that ended Cleveland's 19-game winless skid, was 19 of 35 for 325 yards, including the TD to Beckham, and an interception. ... Garrett had three of the Browns' four sacks. ... Bell had 68 yards rushing on 21 carries and 10 catches for 61 yards for the Jets.

EMOTIONAL RETURN

Browns defensive end Chris Smith played after his girlfriend, Petara Cordero, was killed in a car accident last week.

The 26-year-old Cordero was killed after she exited Smith's Lamborghini and was standing on the highway's shoulder when she was hit by an oncoming car.

INJURIES

Browns: TE David Njoku sustained a concussion in the opening quarter and didn't return. ... S Morgan Burnett injured his quadriceps.

Jets: LB Jordan Jenkins left in the first quarter with a calf injury. ... WR Demaryius Thomas, making his Jets debut after being acquired from New England last week, injured a hamstring.

UP NEXT

Browns: host Los Angeles Rams next Sunday night in their second straight prime-time game.

Jets: at AFC East rival New England next Sunday.

Brady, Patriots defense shine in 30-14 win over Jets

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) Tom Brady threw a pair of touchdown passes and the Patriots didn't allow a defensive touchdown for the third straight week as New England dominated in a 30-14 win over the New York Jets on Sunday.

Sony Michel and Rex Burkhead each added a rushing touchdown for the Patriots (3-0), who won their seventh straight over the Jets and earned their ninth consecutive regular-season win at home over their AFC East rival.

It was the Patriots' first game since releasing receiver Antonio Brown. The four-time All-Pro was cut by the team on Friday after a second woman accused him of sexual misconduct.

Brown's absence didn't slow New England against a Jets team that was without starting quarterback Sam Darnold, still recovering from mononucleosis, and injured linebacker C.J. Mosley and defensive lineman Quinnen Williams. They seemed lost at times on defense and struggled to move the ball offensively - going 0 for 12 on third down - against the Patriots' top-ranked defense in quarterback Luke Falk's first NFL start.

Brady was 28 of 42 for 306 yards and headed to the sideline with 8:41 left in the fourth quarter and New England leading 30-7. He was briefly replaced by rookie Jarrett Stidham, who completed his first two passes before having his third intercepted and returned for a touchdown by Jamal Adams. Brady returned the following series.

Falk, who was on the practice squad a week ago, got the nod with Darnold still at least a week away from returning and Trevor Siemian sidelined for the season after injuring his ankle in New York's loss to Cleveland last Monday night.

Falk finished 12 of 22 for 98 yards and had an errant pass in the third quarter intercepted by Devin McCourty deep in the Jets own territory.

The Jets dropped to 0-3 for the first time since the 2003 season.

Le'Veon Bell carried 18 times for just 35 yards. The Jets punted on their first six possessions and only crossed into New England's territory once in the first half, reaching the Patriots 49 on the opening driving of the game. They punted on 10 of their 13 possessions.

New York didn't get on the scoreboard until Gunner Olszewski muffed a punt late in the third quarter and it was recovered in the end zone for a touchdown by Arthur Maulet.

The Patriots were also limited in the run game without running back James White. He missed the game to be with his expectant wife and fullback James Develin was also out with a neck injury.

But New England still scored on each of its first three possessions, building a 20-0 halftime lead.

Michel scored the game's first touchdown, running it from 5 yards out to cap a 9-play, 88-yard drive.

Brady and offense then took to the air, spreading out New York's secondary with multiple four-receiver formations. Phillip Dorsett had a 25-yard TD reception and Julian Edelman caught another score from 3 yards out early in the second quarter.

Edelman capped the score with an emphatic spike of the ball , a throwback to the celebration of choice by retired Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski. Edelman later left the game with a chest injury and didn't return.

MILESTONE WATCH

With his touchdown throw to Dorsett in the first quarter, Brady passed Drew Brees for second place on the NFL's career list for touchdown passes.

It was Brady's 523rd TD pass. Peyton Manning is first with 539.

MAKING PROGRESS

Jets cornerback Trumaine Johnson, who played only four snaps in New York's loss to Cleveland last week, saw a little more action against the Patriots.

Nate Hairston started the game, but Johnson made his first appearance early in the first quarter. He finished with three tackles.

Johnson, who signed a five-year, $72.5 million deal last year, entered the season as the Jets' No. 1 cornerback. Coach Adam Gase acknowledged last week that things hadn't worked out as well as they needed them to, but said he remained optimistic about Johnson being able to earn a larger role.

INJURIES

Patriots: WR Josh Gordon came off the field early in the second half with an apparent finger injury after he got his hand caught in an opponent's face mask. But he returned later in the third quarter, catching a 28-yard pass inside the 5 to help set up Burkhead's touchdown run. . DL Adam Butler left late in the third quarter with a leg injury after combining on a sack with Dont'a Hightower. Hightower left in the fourth quarter with a shoulder injury.

UP NEXT

Jets: Bye week. At Philadelphia on Oct. 6.

Patriots: At Buffalo next season.

Defense dominates, Eagles rout Jets 31-6

PHILADELPHIA (AP) The Philadelphia Eagles were the real Gang Green defense.

Nate Gerry returned an interception for a score , Orlando Scandrick took a strip-sack the distance and Philadelphia routed the New York Jets 31-6 on Sunday.

The Eagles (3-2) smothered third-string quarterback Luke Falk and overwhelmed New York's offense on a day Carson Wentz was ordinary.

Wentz threw for 189 yards and one touchdown. Jordan Howard ran for 62 yards and one TD.

But Philly's defense didn't need much help. The Eagles became the first team in NFL history to record 10 sacks and score two defensive touchdowns in a single game.

''Our defense carried us,'' Howard said.

Brandon Graham had a career-high three of Philadelphia's 10 sacks after he only had four last season. The performance was reminiscent of Buddy Ryan's old defense led by Reggie White in the late 1980s. That unit was called the ''Gang Green'' defense, which has been the Jets' team nickname for years.

''We finally got them sacks in a big way,'' Graham said.

Sam Darnold missed his third straight game for the Jets (0-4) while he recovers from mononucleosis, so Falk made his second start after opening the season on New York's practice squad. Falk threw two interceptions and was sacked nine times before leaving late in the game and being replaced by David Fales, who was re-signed by the Jets on Friday. Falk replaced Trevor Siemian - Darnold's original backup - after he sustained a season-ending ankle injury in Week 2.

''I'm not going to make excuses. I have to perform better,'' said Falk, who didn't get snaps with the starters until Friday because the Jets hoped Darnold would be cleared to play.

Gerry gave the Eagles a 14-0 lead in the first quarter when he jumped in front of Falk's fourth-down pass and returned it 51 yards.

''Where we want to be as a team, the defense has to set the standard,'' Gerry said.

Scandrick, playing his first game with the Eagles, had two sacks on corner blitzes. He stole the ball from Falk on the second one and ran it back 44 yards to make it 31-6 in the fourth quarter.

''I was just finishing the play and not being satisfied with the sack,'' Scandrick said about ripping the ball out of Falk's hands.

The defense dominated the Jets from the start, holding an opponent to no points on an opening drive for the first time this season.

Howard ran in from the 1 to cap a 53-yard drive for a 7-0 lead.

But the Eagles couldn't get anything going on their next four possessions until Rodney McLeod returned an interception 23 yards to the Jets 42 late in the second quarter.

Wentz then fired an 11-yard TD pass to Zach Ertz for a 21-0 halftime lead.

The Jets snapped the shutout after Corey Clement muffed a punt and Trenton Cannon recovered at the Eagles 19.

Vyncint Smith scored on an end-around on the next play, but the 2-point conversion failed. That was New York's second offensive touchdown this season and first since Week 1.

''We're not doing anything right (on offense),'' Jets coach Adam Gase said. ''We're playing bad.''

DROUGHT ENDS

The Jets went 12 straight quarters without an offensive touchdown before Smith scored. That was the longest streak in the league since the Titans went 14 straight quarters without an offensive TD in 2010.

BUDDY'S BOYS

The Eagles had a pick-6 and a fumble return TD for the first time since Ryan's defense did it on Nov. 12, 1990, against the Redskins. It's the third time they've done it in the Super Bowl era.

UNDEFEATED

The Eagles are 11-0 against the Jets.

MOVING ON UP

Eagles running back/punt returner Darren Sproles moved past Tim Brown into fifth place on the NFL's all-time list for all-purpose yards. Brown had 19,682 yards. Jerry Rice is first at 23,546.

STREAK OVER

The Eagles scored TDs on their first two possessions inside the red zone to extend their streak to nine straight before settling for a field goal on the next trip inside New York's 20.

INJURIES

Jets: LB C.J. Mosley missed his third straight game with a groin injury and LG Kelechi Osemele was out with shoulder/knee injuries. ... Falk cleared concussion protocol after a hit late in the game.

Eagles: Sproles left with a quad injury in the second half.

UP NEXT

Jets: Host Dallas next week.

Eagles: At Minnesota next week.

Darnold throws 2 TDs in return, Jets edge Cowboys 24-22

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) Sam Darnold returned - and so did the New York Jets' hopes to turn around a season that was quickly unraveling without him.

Darnold gave the Jets' struggling offense a huge boost by throwing two touchdown passes in his return from mononucleosis, and New York held on to beat the Dallas Cowboys 24-22 on Sunday night for their first win of the season.

''I'm just really, really excited for the guys in this locker room,'' Darnold said. ''We were starving for a win.''

The Jets led 21-9 in the fourth quarter, but Dak Prescott and the top-ranked Cowboys offense stormed back - and had a chance to tie in the wild closing moments.

With Dallas marching down the field, officials called six straight penalties during one stretch including four on the Jets putting the Cowboys in scoring position.

Prescott ran for a 4-yard touchdown with 43 seconds left, making it a two-point game. Going for the tie, Prescott dropped back and was quickly met by a blitzing Jamal Adams and his pass on the conversion try fell short of Jason Witten in the end zone.

The Cowboys (3-3) tried an onside kick, but Demaryius Thomas recovered for the Jets (1-4), who won for the first time under coach Adam Gase. It was the third straight loss for Dallas.

''To come out here and do it in the fashion we did and the defense getting a huge stop on the 2-point conversion,'' Darnold said, ''I wouldn't want it any other way.''

Darnold, who missed three games while recovering from mononucleosis, finished 23 of 32 for 338 yards - including a 92-yard touchdown toss to Robby Anderson and a 5-yarder to Ryan Griffin. Darnold was intercepted by Jourdan Lewis late in the third quarter after throwing 179 consecutive passes without being picked off, dating to Week 14 of last season at Buffalo.

Le'Veon Bell also ran for a score, his first on the ground with the Jets.

The Cowboys played without starting tackles La'el Collins and Tyron Smith, and star wide receiver Amari Cooper was sidelined most of the game with a quadriceps injury. But Dallas made it a five-point game on Ezekiel Elliott's 5-yard run with 6:30 remaining, capping an 11-play, 84-yard drive.

Sam Ficken's 38-yard field goal with 3:24 left made it 24-16, but the Cowboys had one more long drive in them.

And, the Jets' defense had one final stop in them.

''No one counted us to win that game,'' linebacker Jordan Jenkins said. ''Everyone bet on the Cowboys. They thought we were going to come in and get blown out.''

Prescott was 28 of 40 for 277 yards. Elliott finished with 105 yards and a touchdown on 28 carries.

''We're putting ourselves behind,'' Prescott said. ''We're putting our defense in a tough spot. We're not playing complementary football. It's simple as that. We've got to start faster. We've got to get points. We've got to get touchdowns and allow our defense to play from up.

''As long we have these slow starts, we're going to struggle.''

QUICK START

Darnold came out throwing in his first snap since the season opener and connected with Thomas for a 17-yard gain. But, Robert Quinn sacked him on the next play and the drive stalled - making it 29 straight games the Jets have failed to score a touchdown on their opening possession, the longest active streak in the NFL.

But, Darnold and the Jets got on the scoreboard on their second drive, capped Bell's 2-yard touchdown run.

Darnold was efficient on the 14-play, 83-yard drive, going 6 of 8 for 43 yards. New York was also helped by three penalties on Dallas, including a horse-collar tackle of Darnold by Maliek Collins on third-and-goal from the 7 that gave the Jets the ball at the 2.

''I definitely felt like myself out there,'' Darnold said. ''Especially after the first play to D.T., that pass I made to D.T., I knew we were going to have a good game offensively.''

New York finished with 382 yards after getting 233 combined in the last two games with Luke Falk at quarterback.

''It's unacceptable for us to give up that many points,'' Cowboys linebacker Jaylon Smith said. ''That's not an elite defense.''

SWING

Trailing 7-3, Prescott and the Cowboys marched down the field and got to the Jets 6, but stalled. Elliott lost a yard on third down and Jason Garrett opted to go for it on four-and-2 from the 7. Prescott took the ball on a keeper, but was stuffed by rookie Quinnen Williams for a loss of a yard - and a turnover on downs.

Darnold came out on the very next play and found a wide-open Anderson zipping down the field and hit him in stride for a 92-yard touchdown to put the Jets up 14-3 with 3:34 left in the opening half. It was the second-longest reception in franchise history behind the 96-yard TD catch by Wesley Walker on a pass from Ken O'Brien at Buffalo on Dec. 8, 1985.

FOR KICKS

Brett Maher kicked three field goals for the Cowboys, including tying his franchise record with a 62-yarder as the first half ended to make it 21-6.

It was also the longest field goal ever made against the Jets. Maher also made a 62-yarder against the Eagles last December, making him the first kicker in NFL history, according to Sportradar, with two field goals of at least 62 yards.

Denver's Matt Prater holds the NFL record for longest field goal, kicking a 64-yarder in 2013.

Maher, who also had field goals of 50 and 32 yards, later missed a 40-yarder that sailed wide right 51 seconds into the fourth quarter.

INJURIES

Cowboys: CB Byron Jones left in the second half with a hamstring injury. ... DE Dorance Armstrong left in the second quarter to be checked for a neck injury. ... CB Anthony Brown left in the second half with a hamstring injury.

Jets: LT Kelvin Beachum hurt an ankle in the third quarter and didn't return. .... LB Neville Hewitt, the team's leading tackler, left midway through the second quarter with an undisclosed injury but returned late in the third quarter. ... NT Steve McLendon suffered a concussion in the third quarter. ... LB Albert McClellan left in the third quarter to be evaluated for a concussion.

UP NEXT

Cowboys: home vs. NFC East rival Philadelphia Eagles next Sunday night.

Jets: host undefeated AFC East rival New England Patriots next Monday night.

Patriots blitz Darnold, Jets 33-0 to remain undefeated


EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) Tom Brady set the tone and the New England Patriots' blitz-happy defense took over from there.

Bill Belichick's bunch is still undefeated after another absolutely dominant performance.

Brady threw a TD pass to Phillip Dorsett, Sony Michel ran for three scores and New England forced Sam Darnold into five turnovers while cruising to a 33-0 victory over the New York Jets on Monday night.

''We were able to make some plays early in the game,'' Belichick said, ''and play pretty solid for 60 minutes.''

The Patriots improved to 7-0 for the third time in franchise history, and first since 2015. They also swept the two-game season series against their AFC East rivals for the fourth straight year, outscoring the Jets (1-5) 63-14 in the two meetings this year.

And, the top-ranked Patriots defense was a big reason in this one.

''They're just playing great football,'' Brady said. ''They cover the rush. They stop the run. Make critical plays. It's awesome to watch.''

Darnold was the AFC offensive player of the week after leading New York to a 24-22 win over Dallas last Sunday in his return from missing three games with mononucleosis.

He was miserable against New England, finishing 11 of 32 for 86 yards and a 3.6 quarterback rating. ESPN had Darnold wear a microphone during the game, and he was caught on the sideline saying, ''I'm seeing ghosts'' at one point.

''It was a rough night out there,'' Darnold said. ''And obviously, I've got to be better and learn from the mistakes, but we will get better.''

Belichick blitzed Darnold often, giving the second-year quarterback little time and forcing him into bad - and often ugly - throws. Devin McCourty, Duron Harmon, Stephon Gilmore and Terrence Brooks all had interceptions. Darnold also lost a fumble on a sack, and later knocked an errant snap out of the back of the end zone for a safety.

''I don't know, man,'' a smiling McCourty said when asked if there were ''ghosts'' on the field. ''We were just locked in tonight as a defensive unit. When you get a lot of time to prepare for a game, you start going over everything over and over again. I think it showed for us tonight as a defensive unit.''

Brady was 31 of 45 for 249 yards with a TD and an interception before leaving with 2:55 left to chants of ''Brady! Brady!'' from the Patriots fans who stayed until the end at MetLife Stadium.

They watched New England take total control from the beginning.

Michel's 3-yard touchdown run capped an efficient drive by Brady to open the game. The Patriots went 16 plays and 78 yards while eating up 8:47, and converted four third downs along the way. The last came on third-and-2 when Brady pitched it to Michel, who easily zipped into the end zone.

''Our guys were ready to go today,'' Belichick said. ''We got off to a good start. That was a great opening drive. It took up most of the first quarter.''

New England made it 10-0 a few minutes later after McCourty intercepted Darnold's first pass of the game, coming on the Jets' second play from scrimmage. New England turned the turnover into a 34-yard field goal by Mike Nugent.

After the Jets went three-and-out, Brady went back to work. On fourth-and-6 from the 35, Belichick opted to leave the offense on the field instead of having Nugent try for a 53-yard field goal.

And, it paid off.

Brady connected with Ben Watson for 7 yards to extend the drive. After a 2-yard run by Michel, Brady threw a perfectly placed ball to Dorsett, who caught the pass over Trumaine Johnson in the end zone for a 26-yard touchdown.

''We had good balance,'' Brady said.

New England took advantage of another turnover by Darnold on the Jets' next drive when John Simon popped the ball out of the quarterback's hand for a strip-sack and Kyle Van Noy recovered. The Patriots linebacker ran 39 yards for what was initially called a touchdown, but officials then ruled he was down.

Four plays later, it appeared James White had a 4-yard touchdown run, but it was wiped out by an illegal block in the back penalty on Julian Edelman. Brady's pass to Jakobi Meyers fell incomplete on third-and-goal from the 3, but Brian Poole was called for defensive holding. Michel ran it in from the 1 three plays later to make it 24-0 with 9:18 left in the first half.

Darnold's third turnover came on the Jets' next possession when his throw to the end zone was intercepted by Harmon. Gilmore picked off Darnold on New York's opening drive of the second half.

It only went downhill from there on the Jets' next possession when Ryan Kalil's snap sailed over Darnold's head and he knocked it out of the back of the end zone for a safety.

Michel added a 1-yard TD run with 12:32 left to cap the scoring.

''Obviously, that was brutal,'' Jets coach Adam Gase said. ''We couldn't do anything right. All three phases, we were bad. It was just a bad performance.''

CENTER OF ATTENTION

Kalil injured his right elbow late in the second quarter and was replaced by Jonotthan Harrison. Kalil returned to open the second half with a sleeve over his elbow, but again left after his wayward snap.

STATS

It was New England's second shutout this season after winning 43-0 at Miami in Week 2. ... The Patriots dominated the opening quarter, outgaining the Jets 141 yards to 14 while holding the ball for 12:34 compared to just 2:26 for New York. ... Brady's 29 regular-season wins vs. the Jets are his second-most against any opponent, with only his 31 against Buffalo more.

MAWAE HONORED

Former Jets center Kevin Mawae received his key from the Pro Football Hall of Fame during a halftime ceremony. Mawae, who played for New York from 1998-2005, was inducted in August.

UP NEXT

Patriots: host Cleveland next Sunday.

Jets: at Jacksonville next Sunday.

Jets' Darnold throws 3 more picks in 29-15 loss at Jaguars

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) Sam Darnold went from seeing ghosts to seeing teal.

Darnold threw three interceptions and was sacked a career-high eight times in Jacksonville's 29-15 victory over the New York Jets on Sunday.

He was picked off twice in the fourth quarter, including one that set up Gardner Minshew's game-sealing score to DJ Chark with a little more than 4 minutes to play.

''I know he saw a lot today,'' said Jaguars defensive end Yannick Nkagoue, who notched two sacks. ''He saw corners picking the ball. He saw defensive linemen in his face. ... This is the standard and what we're trying to embrace.''

Darnold completed 21 of 30 passes for 218 yards with two touchdowns - both to Ryan Griffin - but the turnovers and takedowns overshadowed all the positives.

The Jaguars pressured him early and often, hitting him on nearly every passing play and sacking him twice as many times as any other team had during his two-year NFL career. He said afterward he sprained his left thumb.

''For some reason, I just didn't throw the ball as well these last couple of games,'' Darnold said. ''I just have to continue to practice hard and get better.''

Darnold's performance came six days after he was caught on camera saying he was "seeing ghosts" in a 33-0 loss to New England. Darnold wore a microphone for ESPN's broadcast of the Monday night game, and his comment went viral.

His words still resonated at TIAA Bank Field.

A plane circled the stadium pulling a huge banner that read: ''Gardner Minshew ain't afraid of no ghost.'' And Jacksonville's mascot, Jaxson de Ville, ran onto the field shortly before kickoff wearing a white sheet over his head.

Fans donned sheets and waved ghostly signs, and the public address system cranked the ''Ghostbusters'' theme song at the 2-minute warning.

''It is what it is. It didn't affect me,'' Darnold said. ''It's just a silly thing for social media, fans. They'll try to use it against you. For me, I was just playing bad because I did. I wasn't executing out there. I wasn't throwing the ball to where it needed to be. It wasn't about that though.''

The Jets (1-6) managed 213 yards, with 93 of those coming on their opening drive.

''We had a lot of guys making plays, literally taking turns making plays,'' Jaguars defensive end Calais Campbell said. ''It was fun to be out there.''

MINSHEW MANIA

Minshew completed 22 of 34 passes for 279 yards and three touchdowns, surely making the Jaguars think twice about giving the starting job back to Nick Foles.

The rookie also scrambled for 28 yards, including for three first downs. He has more mobility than Foles, who broke his collarbone in the season opener and could return from injured reserve in three weeks.

Minshew had scores to Keelan Cole, Chris Conley and Chark. The pass to Chark was his best of the day. He rolled right, pump-faked twice to move defenders and then hit Chark in the front corner of the end zone.

''Kind of just blacked out on that one,'' Minshew said.

BIG PLAYS

Jacksonville used two big plays to build an early lead. Leonard Fournette gained 66 yards on the second play of the game, setting up Cole's 6-yard score, and Minshew's TD pass to Conley covered 70 yards.

The Jaguars used two more - on the other side of the ball - to close out their second straight win. A.J. Bouye and Tre Herndon picked off passes in the fourth.

KEY INJURIES

Jets: CB Trumaine Johnson left in the first half with an ankle injury. ... C Ryan Kalil left in the third quarter with a right knee injury.

Jaguars: WR Dede Westbrook was ruled out at halftime with a neck/shoulder injury. He was questionable to play with a shoulder injury and re-injured in on a punt return. ... Marqise Lee left in the second with a left shoulder injury. Cornerback D.J. Hayden left in the fourth quarter with a left shoulder injury and was ruled out. Safety Ronnie Harrison left late in the fourth with a neck injury.

UP NEXT

Jets: Return to the Sunshine State to play AFC East rival Miami next Sunday. The Dolphins have won three straight and five of six in the series.

Dolphins get first win of 2019, top Jets 26-18

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) Miami coach Brian Flores got drenched with the orange contents of a Gatorade bucket when time expired. Kool and the Gang's ''Celebration'' blared through the stadium's speakers. Players leaped in the air on their way to a joyous locker room.

The Dolphins are 1-7.

And - for one day, anyway - they can be thrilled about that.

Ryan Fitzpatrick threw three touchdown passes, two of them to rookie Preston Williams, and the Dolphins got their first win of the season by beating former coach Adam Gase and the New York Jets 26-18 on Sunday.

''Hopefully, a lot more to come,'' Dolphins owner Stephen Ross said in the locker room before presenting Flores with the game ball after his first victory.

Flores gave his team Monday off. In the NFL, they call that ''Victory Monday.'' For this team, it was a long time coming.

''Any time you win, it feels good,'' said Flores, the Dolphins' first-year coach. ''That's why we put in all the work.''

The Dolphins avoided what would have been the second 0-8 start in franchise history, joining 2007. The win leaves Cincinnati (0-8) as the NFL's lone winless team this season, and for now the frontrunners to win the No. 1 pick in the 2020 NFL draft.

Fitzpatrick completed 24 of 36 passes for 288 yards, and led the Dolphins to their highest point total of the season. It was also Miami's fourth straight win over the Jets - the first three of those coming with Gase being the coach on the winning side.

''I had a lot of pressure on me today because my two boys were here and when we win, I bring my boys into the locker room,'' Fitzpatrick said. ''So I was tired of the puppy-dog eyes when I was walking off the field for them not being able to come in the locker room. We were going to get them in the dang locker room today.''

The Jets went 11 plays on the first drive of the game for a touchdown and a 7-0 lead, and their highlights were few and far between the rest of the day.

The Jets (1-7) actually fell below Miami in the AFC East standings based on the head-to-head tiebreaker. It was the Dolphins' first win since the ''Miami Miracle'' over New England last season - which was followed by three straight losses to end 2018, making this a 10-game losing streak in all.

No miracle was required this time.

New York's fate was largely sealed with 6:29 left, when a shotgun snap sailed right of quarterback Sam Darnold and wound up bouncing out of the back of the end zone for a safety and a 26-15 Miami lead. The Jets got a field goal with 15 seconds left to close within eight, but Miami recovered the ensuing onside kick and could finally start to celebrate.

''We're 1-7,'' Gase said. ''Everybody feels like crap. You don't put in this much time and effort to come out here and lose.''

Darnold was 27 of 39 for 260 yards and a touchdown to Jamison Crowder. Fitzpatrick's TD throws to Williams went for 12 and 5 yards, and DeVante Parker caught a 17-yard scoring pass. All three came in the second quarter, as Miami turned the 7-0 deficit into a 21-7 lead.

As would be expected between teams with a combined 1-13 record entering the day, there were moments of ineptitude - the Jets had a 3rd-and-27 in the first half, a couple of plays before the Dolphins faced a 1st-and-18.

But the last minute of the half, which wound up taking nearly 20 minutes in real time, was filled with wackiness.

The Jets appeared to cut Miami's lead to 21-13 with a PAT pending when Darnold connected with Ryan Griffin for a 2-yard touchdown, one that was overturned after a long review because officials ruled that the tight end didn't have full control of the ball when he skidded to a stop out of the back of the end zone.

''Better ball would have been a for-sure touchdown,'' Darnold said.

Darnold was intercepted by Miami's Jomal Wiltz on the next play, giving the Dolphins the ball on their own 1. Fitzpatrick appeared to bobble the first-down snap, the play - after another review - became a safety for the Jets, and New York made it 21-12 at the half by turning the ensuing possession into a career-best 52-yard field goal by Sam Ficken.

But the lead stayed Miami's, the rest of the way. A day off is their reward.

''I don't know what to do with it,'' rookie defensive lineman Christian Wilkins said.

INJURIES

Jets: Ty Montgomery was shaken up in the first quarter as he ran into Dolphins punter Matt Haack. Defensive lineman Steve McLendon injured a shoulder during the second half, and safety Jamal Adams was being evaluated late for a possible head injury.

Dolphins: Williams, the Dolphins' breakthrough rookie this season, got hurt twice - first his right wrist in the third quarter, and then a knee in the fourth quarter. He returned from the wrist injury quickly, but was taken off the sideline on a cart after the knee injury.

BIG DAY

Dolphins tight end Mike Gesicki was targeted six times and made six catches for 95 yards - both of those being career highs.

HOME LEADS

The Dolphins led for the final 36 minutes, 14 seconds. Entering Sunday, they had led for a total of 3 minutes, 46 seconds in their first four home games of 2019 combined.

GROUNDED

At 1-7, the Jets have matched their second-worst start in franchise history. They were 0-8 in 1996 and have been 1-7 on five other occasions, most recently 2014.

UP NEXT

Jets: Host the other regular inhabitant of MetLife Stadium, the New York Giants, next Sunday.

Eww York: Darnold, Jets hold on to beat Jones, Giants 34-27

• AP
• Nov 10, 2019

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) Sam Darnold and the New York Jets are feeling a whole lot better about themselves - and their prospects for this season - after a gritty win.

Even if it came against the equally lowly Giants.

Le'Veon Bell scored a go-ahead 1-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter after a 33-yard pass interference penalty on DeAndre Baker, and the Jets rallied and then held on to beat Daniel Jones and the Giants 34-27 on Sunday for Big Apple bragging rights.

''We needed that one,'' Darnold said.

Darnold threw a touchdown pass to Jamison Crowder and ran for another score, and Jamal Adams scored on a 25-yard fumble return on a strip-sack as the Jets (2-7) bounced back from an embarrassing 28-16 loss last week at previously winless Miami. It also snapped a three-game skid, during which the seat under coach Adam Gase had grown increasingly hotter.

''We need every win from now on,'' said Darnold, who was 19 of 30 for 230 yards and no interceptions. ''We've still got a chance. I mean, if we got on a roll here and win out, we've got a chance at the playoffs. Guys in this locker room know this.''

The postseason seems little more than a pipe dream at this point, but the Jets are suddenly optimistic again.

''Today was not nearly a perfect game,'' Bell said, ''but it was good enough for us to win.''

Jones threw a career-high four touchdown passes, two each to Darius Slayton and Golden Tate, but couldn't prevent the Giants (2-8) from losing their sixth straight game. It's their first six-game skid since 2014, and has some frustrated Giants fans calling for Pat Shurmur's job.

''We're disappointed we haven't been able to win a game for six,'' the Giants coach said. ''That's the way it works. I am disappointed we didn't win this game. That's where it's at. The state of the team? That's where we are at.''

Saquon Barkley had the worst game of his young career, finishing with just 1 yard on 13 carries. He also had five catches for 30 yards.

''I just have to get better,'' said a curt Barkley, who was seen going to the X-ray room after the game but wouldn't discuss it.

''It makes it a lot easier when you make the other team one-dimensional and take away their biggest threat,'' Jets linebacker Brandon Copeland said.

With the Giants trailing 21-19 in the third quarter, Jones marched them down the field on nine plays, capped by a 15-yard touchdown pass to Tate.

Shurmur opted to go for a 2-point conversion and Jones found Bennie Fowler III in the end zone to put the Giants ahead for the first time, 27-21 with 5:21 left in the third quarter.

Sam Ficken's 53-yard field goal late in the third quarter cut the Jets' deficit to three. The drive was kept alive by Darnold's 24-yard run - the longest rush for the Jets this season - on third-and-7.

The Jets retook the lead on Bell's short touchdown run 8 seconds into the final quarter. After a 25-yard catch by Crowder, Darnold threw a deep pass to Robby Anderson and Baker was called for pass interference in the end zone - a 33-yard penalty that put the ball at the 1.

''That P.I., I know it won't be on the stats sheet (for Anderson),'' Gase said, ''but that was really a big play.''

Ficken's 35-yarder made it 34-27 with 7:36 remaining, and the Jets defense held firm from there.

QUICK STARTS

Darnold gave the Jets an early lead by running it in from 2 yards out, capping a 13-play, 75-yard drive.

On New York's next drive, Gase opted to go for it on fourth-and-1 from the 41 and rookie tight end Trevon Wesco ran for a 2-yard gain. Four plays later, Darnold fired a strike to Crowder for a 23-yard touchdown to make it 14-0.

Jones, who finished 26 of 40 for 308 yards, got the Giants moving on their next drive, helped by three penalties on the Jets. On first-and-goal from the 5, Jones connected with Slayton to cut the Giants' deficit to 14-7 early in the second quarter.

Jones found Slayton again for a TD later in the quarter when Shurmur opted to go for it on fourth-and-4 from the Jets 39.

With the Giants looking to tie it, holder Riley Dixon picked up Zak DeOssie's wayward snap on the extra point, but his throw to Kaden Smith for the 2-point conversion attempt fell incomplete to make it 14-13 with 5:24 left in the half.

ADAMS ALL OVER

Adams gave the Jets a 21-13 lead just three plays into the second half, when he ripped the ball out of Jones' hands and ran it into the end zone 25 yards for a touchdown.

The star safety told Gase on the sideline shortly before the play that he was going to cause a turnover.

''That's just my mindset,'' said Adams, who had two sacks and two forced fumbles. ''Each and every Sunday or Monday, whatever it is, I just try to be the best on the field. I try to be the best in the league.''

ALMOST TIED

Jones threw a screen to Tate for a 61-yard touchdown in the third quarter and the Giants went for the 2-point conversion - but Tate was called for offensive pass interference.

Shurmur then opted for the extra point, but Aldrick Rosas was wide right - and the Jets still led, 21-19.

INJURIES

Giants: LT Nate Solder left in the second quarter with a concussion. ... CB Janoris Jenkins also suffered a concussion in the second half.

Jets: RG Brian Winters injured a shoulder in the third quarter and didn't return. ... Bell said he came out briefly with sore ribs, but expects to play next week.

UP NEXT

Giants: have a bye-week break before traveling to Chicago to face the Bears on Nov. 24.

Jets: hit the road to take on the Washington Redskins next Sunday.

Sam Darnold throws 4 TD passes, Jets rout Redskins 34-17

LANDOVER, Md. (AP) Toward the end of the game, all Sam Darnold wanted to talk about on the sideline was his interception.

Thanks to Darnold's career-high four touchdown passes and the Washington Redskins' offensive ineptitude, that mistake was a mere blip in the New York Jets' 34-17 rout Sunday.

Darnold was 19 of 30 passing with 293 yards and tossed touchdowns to Daniel Brown, Robby Anderson, Ryan Griffin and former Redskins receiver Jamison Crowder to help New York win its second in a row.

''For us as an offense as a whole, it's just another stepping stone in the right direction,'' Darnold said. ''Once our offense is in a really good rhythm, it's easy for me and a lot of the other guys on the offense to go and make plays.''

Despite getting picked off deep in his own territory by Jon Bostic, the 2018 third overall pick bounced back and now has 11 TDs and 10 INTs this season. Darnold excelled at throwing on the run and managed the game well.

''He's still developing,'' Crowder said. ''You can definitely tell that he's starting to be a little more vocal, take ownership of the offense, which he should - that's part of the development of a quarterback in this league. I'm just glad he's taking the right steps to become a great quarterback in this league.''

The Jets (3-7) sacked Redskins rookie quarterback Dwayne Haskins six times, including three by safety Jamal Adams, and linebacker Neville Hewitt intercepted him in his return to the lineup. Le'Veon Bell ran for a 1-yard TD, and New York reached 400 yards of offense for the first time in 20 games.

Washington (1-9) set a franchise record by going 16 consecutive quarters without a touchdown before Derrius Guice scored on a 45-yard screen pass early in the fourth. Haskins was 19 of 35 passing for 214 yards and threw TD passes to Guice and tight end Jeremy Sprinkle in his first game since being named starter for the rest of the season.

That feels like a long time away for two teams on pace for a top-five draft pick. The Jets look like they've made some semblance of progress under first-year coach Adam Gase, while the Redskins are 1-4 under interim replacement Bill Callahan and off to their worst 10-game start since 1961, when they were 0-9-1.

''I don't think we were close today,'' Callahan said. ''We didn't come out and put together the type of game early on to make it competitive and put ourselves in a put ourselves in a position to win or separate, or do anything. We dug ourselves a pretty good hole and we never really recovered from it.''

COMING UP EMPTY

The Redskins' 16 quarters without a touchdown were the most by any team since the 2000 Baltimore Ravens. They broke the franchise record of 13 quarters set by the 1936 Boston Redskins before Guice finally broke out in his return from a Week 1 knee injury.

''It wasn't good enough to win,'' Haskins said. ''Life is hard. You've got work harder.''

SACKMASTER ADAMS

Adams became the second defensive back in the past decade with three sacks in a game, matching what Mike Hilton of the Pittsburgh Steelers did in 2017. With six sacks, he set the Jets single-season franchise record for the most by a defensive back.

''Honestly, the picks are not coming my way, so I thought I'd do something different,'' Adams said.

The 24-year-old is on a roll. Adams led the Jets with nine tackles and two forced fumbles last week against the Giants. Adams joked that other defenders are mad at him for hogging all the sacks.

''But it's all love,'' he said. ''I appreciate it.''

NO D IN REDSKINS

Even after allowing 34 points to a team that entered with the worst offense in the league, it seems like defensive coordinator Greg Manusky's job is safe. Asked if he was considering any chances to the defensive staff, Callahan said, ''Not at this juncture, no.''

INJURIES

Jets: Rookie RT Chuma Edoga left with an ankle injury and was replaced by Brandon Shell. ... Played without DBs Darryl Roberts (calf) and Matthias Farley (quadriceps) and LBs C.J. Mosley (groin) and LB Paul Worrilow (quadriceps).

Redskins: DL Daron Payne left with an ankle injury. ... WR Paul Richardson didn't play because of a hamstring injury. TE Vernon Davis (concussion) missed his sixth consecutive game and RB Chris Thompson (toe) his fourth.

UP NEXT

Jets: Host coach Jon Gruden's Oakland Raiders next Sunday.

Darnold leads Jets to third straight win, 34-3 over Raiders

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) Jamal Adams and the New York Jets heard all the rowdy Raiders fans during pregame warmups, booing them and acting as if they were in Oakland.

Then the Jets silenced them quickly with a dominant home victory.

Sam Darnold threw two touchdown passes and ran for another score, leading the Jets past the Raiders 34-3 on Sunday for their first three-game winning streak in over two years.

“I’m not going to lie to you, when we came on to the field, we felt disrespected,” Adams said. “We got booed in our own home stadium by the Oakland fans. We came back into this locker room and it was a hell of a talk.”

Adams wouldn’t divulge what was said, but the playmaking safety acknowledged he “sparked it off.”

Whatever was said, it worked.

Brian Poole returned an interception 15 yards for a TD and the rest of the defense made things miserable for Derek Carr, who was pulled by coach Jon Gruden with just under two minutes left in the third quarter.

The Raiders (6-5) came into a rain-soaked MetLife Stadium on a three-game winning streak with an eye on a possible AFC West first-place showdown at Kansas City next week. Instead, they got outplayed by a suddenly resurgent Jets (4-7) team that pulled away in the second half.

“We got our butts kicked,” Carr said. “There’s no other way around that. They got after us from start to finish. Hopefully, it’s an eye opener.”

Darnold was 20 of 29 for 315 yards - the fourth 300-yard game of his career - with TDs to Robby Anderson and Ryan Griffin in another efficient outing that helped New York to its first three-game winning streak since Weeks 3-5 of the 2017 season. The Jets didn’t punt until the 2-minute mark of the third quarter.

Coach Adam Gase took Darnold out in the closing minutes and had backup David Fales finish.

And all those boisterous Raiders fans? Most were gone by then.

“I don’t want to sound very arrogant or too cocky, but I think they came in a little too happy,” Adams said of Raiders fans. “I think they thought it was going to be an easy game.”

New York took a 13-3 lead into halftime and came out quickly in the second half.

On the Jets’ third play of the third quarter, Braxton Berrios took a short pass from Darnold on a slant and zipped down the field for 69 yards before being pushed out of bounds at the 1. Darnold found a wide-open Ryan Griffin for a touchdown on the next play.

Griffin, signed to a three-year contract extension Saturday night, has a career-high five touchdown catches this season.

The Jets’ No. 1-ranked run defense then came up big on Oakland’s first possession of the second half, stuffing Alec Ingold for no gain on fourth-and-1 from the Raiders 39.

New York took over and used some razzle-dazzle, Darnold handing off to Bilal Powell, who flipped it to Jamison Crowder - who then tossed it back to the Jets quarterback. Darnold then threw to Anderson, who reached up for a 30-yard gain. Three plays later, Darnold connected with Anderson again for a 1-yard touchdown.

On the Raiders’ next possession, Carr’s first-down pass was deflected by Neville Hewitt and landed in Poole’s hands. The Jets cornerback ran it in from 15 yards, giving New York a 34-3 lead.

Carr lasted one more series before being pulled for Mike Glennon. Carr finished 15 of 27 for 127 yards with the pick-6.

Rookie Josh Jacobs, fourth in the NFL in rushing, was held to 34 on 10 carries. The Jets came in allowing a league-low 79.1 yards rushing, and gave up 68 to Oakland.

“You ever been on a boat that’s sinking?” Gruden asked. “It’s not happy. It’s not pleasant. It’s adversity. It’s football. You’ve got to respond to adversity. We didn’t do a good enough job as coaches rallying our troops today.”

QUESTIONABLE CALLS

Trailing 3-0 after Daniel Carlson’s 48-yard field goal, the Jets appeared to score a touchdown on their opening drive for a team-record fifth straight game. But Darnold’s 8-yard pass to Demaryius Thomas was wiped away by a questionable penalty when officials called Daniel Brown for offensive pass interference after a video review. New York settled for a tying 24-yard field goal by Sam Ficken.

The Jets then benefited from what appeared to be another shaky call on their next drive. Darnold was sacked by Maxx Crosby from the 9, but Maurice Hurst was called for roughing the passer; officials ruled he dived on the pile late. Instead of a huge loss of yardage and down, it put the ball at the Raiders 4. Darnold faked the handoff to Le’Veon Bell, then kept the ball, ran up the middle and trucked through D.J. Swearinger for a 4-yard touchdown that gave New York a 10-3 lead early in the second quarter.

“I had someone in my way at the goal line,” Darnold said, “and I just did what I could to get into the end zone.”

CARR STALLS

Carr fell to 2-9 in his career in games that started with the temperature below 50 degrees.

The temperature at kickoff at the Meadowlands was 43 degrees.

INJURIES

Raiders: Rookie WR Hunter Renfrow injured his ribs in the third quarter and didn’t return.

Jets: Rookie RT Chuma Edoga will have an MRI on Monday after he left early in the second quarter with an injured left knee. He was helped off the field without putting any weight on the leg and didn’t return.

UP NEXT

Raiders: stay on the road to face AFC West-rival Kansas City next Sunday.

Jets: take on the Bengals at Cincinnati next Sunday.

Dalton returns and leads Bengals to 1st win, 22-6 over Jets

• AP
• Dec 01, 2019

CINCINNATI (AP) Back from a three-week exile, Andy Dalton had more of a swagger in practice, as though he was out to prove something.

''He had a chip on his shoulder all week,'' running back Joe Mixon said.

Dalton returned from one of the lowest points of his nine-year career and got a long-awaited victory Sunday for the coach who benched him, throwing a touchdown pass during a 22-6 victory over the New York Jets.

The Bengals (1-11) ended the longest losing streak in their history and finally shed their distinction as the NFL's lone winless team. He got coach Zac Taylor his first win and set two franchise career passing records along the way.

The only thing he wouldn't do is gloat.

''This one's very satisfying, with everything I've gone through this year,'' Dalton said. ''To be the record-breaker today, being the first one after not playing the last three weeks, this one means a lot.''

Taylor benched Dalton after the eighth loss, deciding it was time to look toward next year and see if Ryan Finley fit in their plans. With the rookie struggling and the season careening toward 0-16, Taylor reversed course and went back to Dalton, who made the difference in front of the smallest crowd in Paul Brown Stadium's 20-year history.

''He did a great job pumping everybody up,'' said Tyler Boyd, who caught the touchdown pass. ''He won the game for us.''

Carlos Dunlap and Sam Hubbard dunked Taylor with ice water in the final seconds on a cold, gray, December day when he got the inaugural win, courtesy of the quarterback he'd benched. Dalton got a game ball as a thank you.

''For him to come back and lead us and get this win, it says a lot about his character,'' Taylor said.

Dalton also set a couple of franchise passing marks in front of 39,804 fans, the smallest home crowd since the final game of the 1995 season at Cinergy Field.

Dalton put Cincinnati ahead to stay with a 17-yard pass to Boyd that made him the Bengals' career leader in touchdown passes, moving ahead of Ken Anderson with 198. He also passed Anderson for the franchise's career completion mark. Dalton finished 22 of 37 for 243 yards with no interceptions and one sack.

Joe Mixon had a 5-yard touchdown run against the league's stingiest run defense as the Bengals put up their second-most points this season, trailing a 26-23 loss to Arizona.

Nothing good happened for the Jets (4-8), who had their three-game winning streak snapped and became the first team to lose to two teams that were 0-7 or worse in the same season. Miami was 0-7 when it beat the Jets on Nov. 3.

The Jets couldn't extend their high-scoring momentum behind Sam Darnold. An improving Bengals defense limited the Jets to their fewest points since a 33-0 loss to New England on Oct. 21.

New York had scored 34 points in each of its last three games, but was self-destructive Sunday. Left tackle Kelvin Beachum was called for holding in the end zone, resulting in a safety. The Jets were flagged 10 times for 106 yards overall.

Darnold was 28 of 48 for 239 yards with four sacks. New York also had a couple of long gains nullified by penalties.

''We couldn't really get a rhythm,'' Darnold said. ''Whenever you have penalties, especially on big plays, it's hard.''

This time, the defense added to the lead instead of giving it up, getting its first safety in three years. Dunlap had three of Cincinnati's four sacks.

''We just couldn't stay consistent on anything,'' coach Adam Gase said. ''Every time we had something going, we'd shoot ourselves in the foot. I mean, we had eight penalties on offense alone.''

INJURIES

Jets: S Jamal Adams was wearing a walking boot on his left foot after the game. He said he was injured on the first series, but played through it. He wasn't sure how long he might be sidelined. ... CB Brian Poole was evaluated for a concussion in the first quarter and returned. ... CB Arthur Maulet left in the third quarter with what Gase said was a calf injury.

Bengals: WR A.J. Green missed his 12th game recovering from ankle surgery. ... S Brandon Wilson hurt his right hand in the second half.

IN THE EXTREMES

After scoring 34 points in three straight games, the Jets were held to six or fewer for the fourth time this season. They've lost 23-3 to Cleveland, 31-6 to Philadelphia and 33-0 to the Patriots.

DARNOLD'S STRUGGLES

Darnold had a foot stepped on late in the game but said it wasn't an issue. Darnold's 48 passes were a season high. His 58 percent completion rate and 71.4 passer rating were his second-lowest, trailing the loss to New England.

UP NEXT

Jets: host the Dolphins. They lost at Miami 26-18 last month.

Ficken FG, controversial call lead Jets past Dolphins 22-21

• AP
• Dec 08, 2019

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) The New York Jets were looking at fourth-and-really long - and another brutal loss to the Miami Dolphins.

Until a controversial call changed it all.

Sam Ficken kicked a 44-yard field goal as time expired to give the Jets a 22-21 comeback victory Sunday after they benefited when an incomplete pass was reviewed in New York and a rare game-altering pass interference ruling on Miami was added.

''I thought it was pass interference,'' Darnold said. ''And, obviously, they overturned it.''

Darnold got the winning drive going with a short pass to Vyncint Smith, who turned it into a 37-yard gain that included a high-step over a would-be tackler. After a sack by Andrew Van Ginkel two plays later put the ball at the Dolphins 46, Darnold threw an incomplete pass to Smith.

But, the Jets argued Nik Needham interfered with the receiver by wrapping his right arm around Smith's right shoulder.

''I knew it was pass interference from the beginning,'' Smith said. ''I think I had one earlier in the game that they didn't call, so I was upset they weren't calling that one, either.''

But the play went to a video review at the league office and the interference call was added - giving the Jets a first down and new life.

''Honestly, it's just trash,'' Needham said.

A 12-yard catch by Ty Montgomery got the ball to the 26. Two plays later, Ficken won it, helping the Jets (5-8) avoid a season series sweep by the lowly Dolphins (3-10).

''This one feels really good,'' said Ficken, who made three field goals but missed an extra point. ''This is definitely the best moment I've had in my pro career ''

Miami coach Brian Flores appeared incensed as the game ended, with TV cameras catching him shouting his displeasure at one of the officials. He refused to discuss the overturned call with reporters.

''We lost the game,'' Flores said. ''I was upset we lost the game.''

Added Needham: ''How else am I supposed to get to the receiver? He's in front of me. I can't run through him. I have to get around him to get the ball out. Yeah, so it's a P.I. in their house.''

Al Riveron, the NFL's senior vice president of officiating, said the call was made by New York by rule with the game having under two minutes left. All reviews are done in the booth and/or in New York.

''It was clear and obvious that the receiver did get significantly hindered prior to the ball getting there,'' Riveron told a pool reporter.

The Jets - who lost to the previously winless Cincinnati Bengals last week - overcame a Dolphins franchise-record seven field goals by Jason Sanders, including a 37-yarder that gave Miami the lead with 1:33 left.

Sanders kicked a 48-yarder to put the Dolphins up 18-16 with 6:59 remaining, but Ficken's 42-yarder gave New York the lead again with 4:05 left.

STATS

Darnold, who injured his right hand at the beginning of the fourth quarter, was off on a few of his late passes but finished 20 of 36 for 270 yards and touchdowns to Demaryius Thomas and Robby Anderson. Darnold also was intercepted once.

Anderson had seven catches for 116 yards and the score. Bilal Powell, starting in place of the ill Le'Veon Bell, had 74 yards on 19 carries before leaving on the final drive with an ankle injury.

Ryan Fitzpatrick was 21 of 37 for 245 yards with an interception for Miami, playing without top receivers DeVante Parker and Albert Wilson who both left with concussions.

MORE CALLS

The Jets took a 16-6 lead with 1:55 left in the opening half on Thomas' 14-yard touchdown catch, his first for New York. The initial call of an incomplete pass was overturned by a video review as officials ruled Thomas had possession as he was tackled by Needham while falling into the end zone.

New York nearly had another score a few plays later when James Burgess intercepted Fitzpatrick and took it into the end zone, but the Jets linebacker was called for defensive holding - negating the turnover.

Miami ended up getting a 28-yard field goal from Sanders with 19 seconds remaining in the half to cut the deficit to 16-9.

SIDELINED STARS

The Jets were without two of their best players with both Bell and safety Jamal Adams sitting out.

Bell was ruled out Saturday because of what Gase said after the game is the flu. He practiced fully Wednesday, but then sat out Thursday and Friday.

Adams was officially ruled inactive 90 minutes before the game after he missed practice all week with a sprained ankle. It was the first game Adams has missed in his three-year NFL career.

INJURIES

Dolphins: Parker went out with a concussion in the second quarter, and Wilson in the third. ... TE/FB Chandler Cox injured a shoulder in the fourth quarter.

Jets: TE Ryan Griffin left with an ankle injury on New York's opening drive and didn't return. ... DL Quinnen Williams suffered a burner in the third quarter and didn't return. ... CB Kyron Brown was in crutches in the locker room after hurting his left quadriceps in the fourth quarter.

UP NEXT

Dolphins: play at MetLife Stadium again next Sunday to take on the Giants.

Jets: travel to Baltimore to take on Lamar Jackson and the Ravens on Thursday night.