The Bengals turned their fortunes around in the 1st win

CINCINNATI (AP) — Last week, the winless Cincinnati Bengals talked about the offense needing to start faster and the defense looking to create more turnovers.

They were successful on both counts in a 27-12 road win over the New York Jets on Sunday.

The Bengals won the coin toss and took the ball first instead of holding off as usual. Joe Burrow then led a drive that ended with a 12-yard touchdown pass to Samaje Perine, and Cincinnati scored on three of its next four possessions to take a 20-9 halftime lead.

Meanwhile, the defense forced Jets quarterback Joe Flacco to lose the ball four times.

After losing their first two error-filled games by six points, the Bengals needed to start doing things right. And, for the most part, they did. The play-calling was more varied, with Burrow making throws downfield looking for explosive plays. After a rough early stretch, Borrow has looked like the quarterback who led Cincinnati to the Super Bowl last season.

“We came out aggressive and it paid off for us,” said Barrow, who was 23-for-36 for 275 yards and three touchdowns. Ja’Mar Chase and Tyler Boyd also caught TD passes.

“We just needed to get the first win,” Cincinnati coach Zach Taylor said. “I didn’t care what it looked like. I really didn’t care if it was 3-0 or 49-3. We just need to rip off the Band-Aid to get our first win. We were a confident team all the time.”

WHAT WORKS

The defense has played reasonably well in the first two games, but the players have emphasized winning tackles for turnovers. The Bengals recovered two fumbles. Defensive back Trey Hendrickson had 2 1/2 sacks. Linebacker Logan Wilson and safety Jesse Bates III intercepted the ball. The Jets’ scoring was limited to four field goals.

“We looked at it as the start of our season,” quarterback Sam Hubbard said. “The 0-2 start is behind us. Our new season started today. That was our message that came today.”

WHAT HELP IS NEEDED

The offensive line prevented Barrow from being sacked more than twice, but was unable to turn the game around. Joe Mixon averaged just 2 yards per carry (12 for 24) before giving way to Perine, who had 47 yards on nine carries.

STOCK UP

Boyd, who could be overshadowed by fellow receivers Chase and Tee Higgins, caught four of five targets for 105 yards. Boyd had the most exciting play of the day when he caught a short pass from Barrow, bounced off two defenders and scored a 56-yard touchdown late in the first quarter.

REDUCE STOCKS

A holding penalty by rookie left guard Cordell Wolson nullified Barrow-Boyd’s 4-yard TD pass in the first quarter. Wolson, who won the job in training camp, is one of four new starters on the offensive line.

INJURIES

Mixon sat out most of the fourth quarter with a sore ankle. … DT DJ Reader was lost for the game in the second quarter with a left knee injury. There were no details on their availability for Thursday night’s game.

KEY NUMBER

50% is the Bengals’ third-best shooting efficiency against the Jets (7-of-14).

NEXT STEPS

The Bengals will look to keep their momentum and positive attitude going into a short week as they prepare to host the 3-0 Miami Dolphins on Thursday night at Paykar Stadium. The Dolphins beat the previously undefeated Buffalo Bills 21-19 on Sunday.