Bengals vs. Jets: Brad Smith Runs Wild

                It was the Brad Smith show at The Meadowlands on Thanksgiving night. The New York Jets’ all-purpose weapon did it all, rushing for a touchdown, returning a kickoff for a touchdown and picking up 200 total yards as the Jets dropped the Cincinnati Bengals, 26-10. Smith’s individual effort proved to be the difference in the game, with the New York defense adding a safety to seal the win and cap a furious second half scoring barrage.

               Down 7-3 at the half, it took the Jets all of two plays to regain the lead. Smith took the reverse, making a quick cut upfield and waltzing into the end zone for 55 yards and the score. With the lead in hand, the Jets took off and never looked back, scoring 23 second half points to put the game away.

               Mark Sanchez was steady, though not spectacular, under center, throwing for 166 yards, one touchdown and an interception. Shonn Greene’s led the Jets’ running backs with 70 yards on 18 carries. LaDainian Tomlinson had a slow day in the backfield, rushing for 49 yards on 13 carries. Dustin Keller led the New York receivers with four catches for 49 yards, followed closely by Santonio Holmes’ 44 yards and a touchdown in the receiving game.

                   For the Bengals, costly mistakes practically handed the Jets the game. Two first half Carson Palmer interceptions killed promising drives, a muffed punt in the second half gave the Jets the ball with excellent field position and poor coverage on Smith’s kickoff return gave the Jets all they needed to wrap this game up. Palmer finished the day with just 135 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions on 17 of 39 passing. Chad Ochocinco led the Bengals’ receivers with four catches for 41 yards. Jordan Shipley added 38 yards and a touchdown, the only Cincinnati touchdown of the day.

                   The Jets improved to 9-2, grabbing a much-needed win before heading to New England to take-on the Patriots on Monday, Dec. 6. Cincinnati fell to 2-9 with the loss. The Bengals host the defending Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints next Sunday.