Mike Nugent kicked a redemptive 47-yard field goal with 52 seconds remaining as the Cincinnati Bengals came from behind three times to beat the New York Jets 23-22 in the season opener this afternoon at MetLife Stadium.
It was the third consecutive season-opening win for the Bengals – all on the road – and the team’s first victory against the Jets in New York since 1981.
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Nugent missed a 52-yarder that would have given the Bengals a four-point lead with 9:02 remaining, and the Jets capitalized by driving 52 yards for a Nick Folk 22-yard field goal that put New York ahead 22-20 with 3:23 remaining.
But Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton drove the team to New York 29 to set up Nugent’s game-winner.
Dalton, who was sacked a career-high seven times in the game, completed 23 of 30 passes for 366 yards and a touchdown with one interception.
The touchdown was a 54-yarder to A.J. Green in the second quarter that gave the Bengals their first of three go-ahead scores. Green tied his career high with 12 receptions for 180 yards, while newcomer Brandon LaFell grabbed four passes for 91 yards, including a 41-yarder on a third-and-18 play to extend a 92-yard scoring drive in the third quarter.
That march was capped by a Jeremy Hill 12-yard touchdown run to give the Bengals a 20-16 lead.
Josh Shaw intercepted Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick with 40 seconds to go to seal the win.
