After emotional week, Justin Fields helps Jets win first game - ESPN

CINCINNATI — It was a gut-wrenching week for New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields, who almost lost his job and was publicly criticized by team owner Woody Johnson. At one point during the week, Fields was in his closet at home, on the ground, sobbing.

The tears almost happened again Sunday after the Jets' first win of the season, 39-38 over the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium — one of the biggest comebacks in franchise history.

«It's been a lot for me, emotionally, spiritually,» Fields said. «When I was on the field, I was damn near about to start crying.»

Fields gave a clinic on how an embattled athlete should handle adversity. Rebounding from two dismal performances, he completed 21 of 32 passes for 241 yards and a touchdown, rallying the Jets from a 15-point deficit at the start of the fourth quarter. He also ran for a two-point conversion and made a brilliant, falling-down throw to Isaiah Davis on another 2-point play.

Thanks largely to Fields and Breece Hall, who ran for two touchdowns and threw the game-winning touchdown on a halfback option, the previously inept Jets (1-7) won a game that appeared unwinnable.

Afterward, Fields received praise from all corners of the locker room.

«It seemed like the world was kind of crashing in around him and he just went out there with football in his mind, locked in, played a hell of the game and led us to the win,» safety Isaiah Oliver said. «He was vocal on the sideline all week during practice. None of that changed who he was.»

Fields was benched at halftime last Sunday and spent the week in limbo, not knowing if he had been demoted. Coach Aaron Glenn played it close to the vest. He appeared to be leaning toward a quarterback change, but any plan of a potential switch