Jets’ December to Remember

For one day at least, the New York Jets stared down their December demons.

Outplayed for much of Sunday’s game with the Cincinnati Bengals, the Jets rallied in the fourth quarter for a 15-14 victory. It snapped a five-game losing streak in the month when they traditionally fade and kept the Jets (8-5) firmly in the AFC playoff picture.

“A win is what we wanted, hex or no hex,” Jet tight end Anthony Becht said. “I’ve only been here two years and I am not really concerned with what happened before that, or even know much about it. We want to end this on a winning streak.”

James Dearth and Becht caught short touchdown passes from Vinny Testaverde.

Although New York failed on both two-point conversions, it held on thanks to two late interceptions.

Damien Robinson picked off Jon Kitna’s pass and returned it 30 yards, and Kevin Swayne had a 14-yard reception on third down to keep the clock moving.

But the Jets’ John Hall missed a 34-yard field goal with 1:11 remaining.

James Farrior, however, got the Jets’ third interception of Kitna in the game, putting them at a league-best plus-23 in turnover margin this season.

Before the comeback, Corey Dillon went over 1,000 yards rushing for the fifth straight season and scored two touchdowns for Cincinnati (4-9).

While the Jets came out flat in a big game, the Bengals appeared ready to snap a five-game slide because of just two drives.

The drives covered 81 and 87 yards, with Dillon the main weapon on both.

Cincinnati’s first possession was a masterpiece of clock domination, lasting 20 plays and 12 minutes. The Jets twice got in scoring range in the opening 30 minutes.

Hall missed a 40-yard field goal attempt wide left after a bad snap, then hit a 24-yarder with 18 seconds left in the half to make it 7-3.

“I’m so ticked off, the only thing I can do is try to relax,” Dillon said. “Until we get over the hump and learn what we have to do to win, this is what will happen.”