A Win for No.74

The New York Jets came into last Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals hoping to secure their first win and avoid the franchise’s first 0-8 start since the 2020 season. Throughout the week, the trade rumors surrounding some of the Jets’ top-tier defensive players intensified, creating yet another distraction for the Jets to deal with on top of the ongoing frustration this season has provided thus far.

With all the team has dealt with, the Jets, led by Quarterback Justin Fields and Breece Hall, dug deep and found a way to erase a 15-point fourth-quarter deficit and secure their first win under coach Aaron Glenn. It is an emotional day for the franchise.

That Sunday morning, the Jets organization confirmed former Jet great Nick Mangold had passed away the night before due to complications from chronic kidney disease. Mangold played his entire 11-year career with the Jets and was a seven-time Pro Bowler and a two-time first-team All-Pro. Describing the team’s 39-38 win, Kicker and former teammate of Mangold Nick Folk said “At the end, he was there for us.”

Several players dedicated the victory to Mangold as well as former teammates paying their respects on social media. Mangold was 41 years old. The victory also capped off an emotional week for Fields. Earlier in the week, Fields faced public criticism from Jets owner Woody Johnson. In the second half of last week’s game, Fields was benched in favor of backup Tyrod Taylor. During his post game conference, Fields opened up on how emotional the past week was for him personally saying he had been “crying in his closet.”

Fields apparently took this tough week as fuel to the fire and turn in his best game as a Jet completing 21 of 32 passes for 244 yards and one touchdown. He Also rushed for 31 yards on 11 attempts. He also converted on a momentum-shifting two-point conversion in the fourth quarter. This performance came without their best offensive player Garret Wilson who missed his second straight game due to a knee injury.

The Jets win could not have come at a better time. The team will have their bye week to rest up and halt their momentum towards their next game against the Cleveland Browns on November 9th. Although Fields had his best game as a Jet, Coach Glenn remained noncommittal on who his starting quarterback will be for the Cleveland game.

“I think you know. what my answer is going to be on that” Glenn said on Monday. I have time to make that decision. This is a bye week and we’re going to focus on us. That’s one of the goods things of the bye week.” Glenn’s decision will likely rest of the health of Taylor who missed last week’s game with a Knee injury and if he believes Fields gives the team the best chance to win. We should know the verdict on that late next week.

Sorts Notes: (Football) The New York Giants return home to play the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday. (Basketball) The New York Knicks will heads to Chicago to battle the Bulls on Halloween night tomorrow. The Brooklyn Nets will look to secure their first win of the 2025-26 season as they battle the Philadelphia 76ers Sunday evening.