10/21 — The Jets kick off and their defense is on the field first, and there are some surprising changes.

At corner, it had been rookie Darrelle Revis at LCB and David Barrett at RCB the first six games. But today it's Revis on the right side and Hank Poteat getting the start on the left. Poteat got the starting nod for the final six regular-season games last year, and now he's back, one game after making his first career interception against the Eagles.

Also starting at safety alongside Kerry Rhodes, it's not Erik Coleman, it's not Eric Smith ... it's Abram Elam, the former Cowboy.

The Bengals moved into Jets territory but then this revamped D rose up for a nice stop. Barrett, in on the nickel, blasted the wind out of WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh after an out-route catch from Carson Palmer. And on third-and-10, Bryan Thomas stunts free up the middle from right end and takes Palmer down to force a punt.

Then Chad Pennington attacks. On the first play from scrimmage, Pennington hits starting TE Sean Ryan, wide open (perhaps against former teammate Anthony Schlegel?) for a 22-yard completion — the longest reception of Ryan's career.

But Chad was just warming up. In a nicely designed and executed play, Pennington hits Laveranues Coles in stride for a 57-yard touchdown pass just 4½ minutes into the game. There was play action to Thomas Jones, an underneath route that drew the Cinci safety to Jerricho Cotchery, and Coles' double move against CB Deltha O'Neal. Voila! L.C. grabs the post pass at the Bengals 12 and jogs in past O'Neal and CB Johnathan Joseph.

Jets 7, Bengals 0

This is the Jets' first first-drive TD since last year's Game 7 vs. Detroit.

And the 45 yards the pass covered from the line of scrimmage to Coles establishing position at the 12 is possibly the second-longest ball-in-air throw of Pennington's career. He hit Santana Moss for that 47-yard TD in the 2004 playoff game at San Diego and all 47 yards were in the air.

Palmer strikes back, hitting Chad Johnson for a 56-yard completion with Barrett trailing badly in man coverage. But again the defense bends yet doesn't break, stopping the Bengals when Palmer overthrows Johnson on the fade against Barrett on third-and-1 at the 2, bringing on Shayne Graham for the 20-yard field goal. No shutout today.

Jets 7, Bengals 3

No shutout today. On the other hand, it's the sixth consecutive red zone opportunity by the opponents that has not resulted in a TD.

The quarter ends with the Jets going against recent form by going for it on fourth-and-a-yard at the Bengals 46. Jones gets it — barely — to continue a march toward the Bengals goal line.