.jpg)
3 hours ago
2
The New York Jets have finally won a game.
New York — who was the only winless team in the NFL going back to Week 5 — secured their first victory of the 2025 season by pulling off a stunning fourth-quarter rally that ended in a dramatic touchdown pass to defeat the Cincinnati Bengals, 39-38. Trailing by 14 points late in the final frame, the Jets' offense, led by running back Breece Hall, clawed back to make it a one-score game. After forcing a crucial punt, New York marched down the field, culminating in a bold, game-winning sequence.
The victory, secured when Cincinnati’s final drive stalled near midfield, was a massive relief for a Jets team desperate for a win after a 0-7 start to the season. The dramatic comeback secured the team's first victory of the year and provided a much-needed spark of electricity for a franchise that has not made the postseason since 2011.
Will this win mean anything for the Jets playoff aspirations? No, probably not. But Jets fans across America can smile knowing their team joined all others in the win column.
MORE: NFL world mourns death of former Jets center
When will the Jets win?
The Jets traveled to Cincinnati on Sunday to face a Bengals team without Joe Burrow. Former Jets QB Joe Flacco is taking over for Jake Browning, which could help, but Cincinnati’s issues appear to run deep.
Earlier in the week, the Jets made headlines in the NFL world when owner Woody Johnson said "it's hard [to win] when you have a quarterback with the rating that we've got." This came after two straight games with zero touchdowns, which included Justin Fields getting benched against the Carolina Panthers.
#Jets owner Woody Johnson: "It’s hard when you have a quarterback with the rating that we’ve got. ... If you look at any head coach with a quarterback like that, you’re going to see similar results. ...If we can just complete a pass, it would look good." pic.twitter.com/5fN0dsVEUl
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 21, 2025Later in the week, Johnson went on record calling himself "not a good owner in terms of winning," and maybe Fields and the Jets took that as fuel. With Tyrod Taylor being ruled out, Fields was given another chance as a starter.
Sunday's game started as usual for the Jets, who went down 24-13 at halftime. Fields and the Jets offense was quietly putting together a good game — the quarterback was 6-for-6 for 72 yards and a touchdown to begin the game — but the Bengals offense was overshading it. The Bengals took a 31-16 lead and that's when the game turned on its head.
New York responded with Breece Hall's first touchdown of the season, a five-yard halfback dive. Though, it looked meaningless after the Bengals responded with a 73-yard drive to make it 38-24. Though, on the next Jets drive, Hall quickly delivered with a spectacular 27-yard touchdown run. Head Coach Aaron Glenn immediately opted for the two-point conversion, where Fields found running back Isaiah Davis to make it 38-32.
Then, after forcing a punt on the ensuing drive, the Jets had a chance to put together a game-winning drive. After getting into the red zone, the Jets dialed up a rare halfback pass, with Hall taking the direct snap and lofting a touchdown pass to rookie tight end Mason Taylor, putting the Jets ahead 39-38. The shocking trick play was the culmination of a 17-point fourth-quarter effort that wiped out a significant Bengals lead.
Flacco and the Bengals offense turned the ball over on downs and the Jets shocked fans in the jungle and across the NFL world.
After the bye, New York hosts the Cleveland Browns in Week 10, who are currently starting rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel.
Jets fans know that one win is better than none — which why most are happy after Sunday's result. The weight of a zero in the win column is off Aaron Glenn and co.'s back.
MORE: Will Garrett Wilson return after the bye? Latest injury update on Jets wide receiver
Jets upcoming schedule 2025
| Week | Date | Opponent | Kickoff time (ET) | TV Channel |
| 10 | Sunday, Nov. 9 | vs. Browns | 1 p.m. | CBS |
| 11 | Thursday, Nov. 13 | at Patriots | 8:15 p.m. | Amazon Prime |
| 12 | Sunday, Nov. 23 | at Ravens | 1 p.m. | CBS |
| 13 | Sunday, Nov. 30 | vs. Falcons | 1 p.m. | Fox |
| 14 | Sunday, Dec. 7 | vs. Dolphins | 1 p.m. | CBS |
| 15 | Sunday, Dec. 14 | at Jaguars | 1 p.m. | CBS |
| 16 | Sunday, Dec. 21 | at Saints | 1 p.m. | CBS |
| 17 | Sunday, Dec. 28 | vs. Patriots | 1 p.m. | CBS |
| 18 | TBD | at Bills | 1 p.m. | TBD |
The Jets can hold onto this win for an extra week, heading into the bye on a good note.
After the bye, New York faces the 2-6 Cleveland Browns, another winnable game.
Then, the schedule starts to get more difficult. They have back-to-back road games against the rising Patriots and Baltimore Ravens, who figure to have Lamar Jackson healthy by that point, and the Jacksonville Jaguars have suddenly become an intimidating team on the back end of their schedule.
Of course, the Jets would need everything to fall into place for the wins and losses to matter much beyond the draft order at that point. Fans might have their attention turned to a top draft pick in December, but there is no doubt Glenn would like to stack some wins after getting his first as Jets head coach.
English (US)