Dalton returns and leads Bengals to 1st win, 226 over Jets

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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.Article continues below ...The Bengals ended the longest losing streak in their history and finally shed their distinction as the NFLs 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 wouldnt do is gloat.This ones very satisfying, with everything Ive 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 Deshaun Davis Jersey, Taylor reversed course and went back to Dalton, who made the difference in front of the smallest crowd in Paul Brown Stadiums 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 https://www.cincinnatiproshop.com/36-Bengals_Custom_Jersey, courtesy of the quarterback hed 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 franchises 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 leagues 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 , 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 couldnt 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 https://www.cincinnatiproshop.com/102-Bengals_Joe_Mixon_Jersey. 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 couldnt really get a rhythm, Darnold said. Whenever you have penalties, especially on big plays, ithard.This time, the defense added to the lead instead of giving it up, getting its first safety in three years. Dunlap had three of Cincinnatis four sacks.We just couldnt stay consistent on anything, coach Adam Gase said. Every time we had something going, wed shoot ourselves in the foot. I mean, we had eight penalties on offense alone.INJURIESJets 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 wasnt 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 https://www.cincinnatiproshop.com/72-Bengals_Devwah_Whaley_Jersey.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. Theyve lost 23-3 to Cleveland, 31-6 to Philadelphia and 33-0 to the Patriots.DARNOLDS STRUGGLES Darnold had a foot stepped on late in the game but said it wasnt an issue. Darnolds 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.