The NFL’s last winless team is winless no more after the New York Jets bested the Bengals in Cincinnati on Sunday, 39-38, in a wild come-from-behind victory.
Entering Sunday’s contest, the Jets had failed to come out on top in any of their previous seven games under first-year head coach Aaron Glenn and new quarterback Justin Fields. It looked like the futility would continue — down by 15 entering the fourth quarter and still trailing by 14 with eight minutes to play — but Fields orchestrated two touchdown drives (and a two-point conversion) in the final minutes to surge ahead and enter the win column.
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In the second quarter, Fields lofted a pass into the end zone that was caught by wide receiver Tyler Johnson for a 15-yard score. It was Fields’ 50th passing touchdown of his career.
first TD for Tyler Johnson in green and white 🪣#NYJvsCIN on CBS | @paramountplus pic.twitter.com/tP8E8PxPiC
— New York Jets (@nyjets) October 26, 2025
In the fourth quarter, New York finished off the comeback with a trick play. Fields tossed the ball to running back Breece Hall on what appeared to be a jet sweep, but Hall rose up to pass, pump faked, then actually passed to tight end Mason Taylor for the game-winning 4-yard touchdown with 1:54 remaining.
anyone have this on their bingo card?#NYJvsCIN on CBS | @paramountplus pic.twitter.com/LQCiJ0u0Sh
— New York Jets (@nyjets) October 26, 2025
The Jets’ 23 fourth-quarter points were the most they’d scored in any quarter so far this season, and more than they’d scored in five of their seven previous games. The 39 total points were their most in a single game so far in 2025.
Fields passed for 244 yards and the touchdown on 21 completions (32 attempts) without committing a turnover. He also rushed for 31 yards, passed for an incredible two-point conversion, and rushed for another conversion that was just as impressive.
“It’s been a lot for me emotionally, spiritually,” Fields said in his postgame press conference about the off-field drama he faced in the lead-up to Sunday’s game. “When I was on the field, I was [nearly] about to start crying. Not because we won, just because of the goodness of God and just how everything works for the greater good. Everything that I’ve been through this past week — everything that we’ve been through as a team these past seven weeks … I’m just thankful. Thankful for the Lord.”
Coming into the week, Fields had struggled mightily in back-to-back games against the Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers in which he completed a combined 15 passes for 91 yards and no touchdowns. He was benched in favor of backup Tyrod Taylor at halftime against the Panthers.
Then on Tuesday, Jets owner Woody Johnson publicly criticized Fields with scathing comments that placed blame on the QB for the 0-7 start. Glenn had been considering making his switch at the quarterback position a permanent one, but on Saturday, Taylor was ruled out with a bone bruise in his knee.
Fields revealed in his press conference that the tumultuous week, only exacerbated by the pressure-cooker that is the New York media, took its toll on him. He found himself in his closet, lying down, crying, praying.
Later in the week, he was in his kitchen with his childhood best friend, who was encouraging him not to waver in his faith despite the chaos swirling around him.
“I know God put me in this position, but it’s hard to block out what the world calls success and [fix my mind on] God and what He calls success,” Fields said.
Right as he was chatting with his friend, Fields explained, he got a text from his family encouraging him to trust in Jesus. “I’m thinking, like, ‘That’s literally a sign from God.’ It just shows that He’s always with us. He’s always with us through everything we go through and every situation we’re in. He’s never gonna leave us. He’s never gonna forsake us. So like I said, it’s all glory to Him.”
Fields, who has spoken about his faith since his time in college, said during the week that he has been looking to Christ for his assurance, knowing that even amid trials, God is giving him the opportunity to make His name known.
Stay rooted in Jesus Justin Fields. 🙏
“I think the position I’m in right now is a great opportunity to spread that message.” @justnfields pic.twitter.com/Gsm2IM6sDC
— Sports Spectrum (@Sports_Spectrum) October 21, 2025
The 26-year-old Fields has already faced a number of challenges in his football career. As a collegian, he transferred from Georgia to Ohio State after one season with the Bulldogs, blossoming into one of the nation’s best players in his two years in Columbus and leading the Buckeyes to the national championship game in 2020.
He was drafted No. 11 overall by the Chicago Bears in 2021, but after three up-and-down seasons with the team, he was traded to the Steelers in 2024. In Pittsburgh, he split time with veteran Russell Wilson. Then in March, he signed a two-year deal with the Jets.
Throughout his setbacks and successes, Fields has sought to find joy in God.
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“God is real. God is good,” Fields said in Sunday’s postgame press conference, “and everything that we go through in this life is for a purpose. … I’m thankful for Him.”
New York is riding the victory into its bye this week. The Jets will take the field next on Nov. 9 at home against the Cleveland Browns (2-6) at 1 p.m. ET. No starting QB for the Jets has been named.
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