I understand the Jets are a hold-your-nose team to back. The Jets' defense, though, has played hard and above their heads for first-year head coach Robert Saleh, a defensive guru. New York's offense might show better than expected with backup Mike White given a whole week of practicing with the first team. He has good wide receivers even if Corey Davis doesn't play. 

But make no mistake this handicap is far more about fading the Bengals, who are in a terrible situational spot. 

Not only is this Cincinnati's third consecutive road game, but the Bengals are coming off the best road win of Zac Taylor's Bengals' coaching career, downing the Ravens, 41-17, last Sunday.  

The Bengals are in an obvious letdown spot. They also are in a division sandwich with a much bigger game on deck when they host the Browns next week. 

Cincinnati's is much improved. But they aren't so elite to cover a double-digit road number in this type of situation.