EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. —

The first win of the season is in the books for the Cincinnati Bengals after defeating the Jets by 15 points on Sunday.

The Bengals stepped up their game and looked way more fluid as soon as kickoff happened. Joe Burrow threw three touchdowns and finished 23 of 36 for 275 yards.

The offensive line stepped up their game as well and allowed only three sacks on Burrow. Three is still a lot, but it's much better compared to the seven sacks Dallas put on him.

Burrow said the offensive line did so much better today because they’re improving.

"They’re working hard in practice, understanding the protections and the corrections they had to make from the first two weeks and I played better, we called a better game and we weren’t behind in the first half," Burrow said.

The beginning of Sunday's game felt like a relief, like fans were seeing that Super Bowl team because they came out clean and ready to play.

“We started fast, we started clean. Most importantly, we got the ball in the end zone three times on that first drive. The third one counted, which was good to see," said Bengals head coach Zac Taylor.

The Bengals and Jets had two different stories coming into Sunday's game. Cincinnati coming off two tough losses and New York coming off a win in overtime against the Cleveland Browns, it was a true test for the Bengals to clinch the win.

"We just needed to get the first win, didn't really care what it looked like. Didn't care if it was 3-0 or 49-3, we just needed to rip that band-aid off and get that first win," Taylor said. "We knew we were gonna get a great performance from our guys and they delivered."

And delivered they did.

Samaje Perine, Tyler Boyd and Ja'Marr Chase all recorded touchdowns against the Jets while Burrow was 8 of 10 for 95 yards on the drive during which Cincinnati thought it got into the end zone two other times.

Tee Higgins was asked if he thought he scored on a touchdown in the first quarter, "for sure, for sure, I got robbed," the wide receiver said. Burrow also agreed that he thought Higgins scored.

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As the Bengals prepare for the rest of the season, Burrow said being aggressive and coming out fast is what will put the Bengals on top.

"We came out aggressive and it paid off for us," the star quarterback said. "It paid off for us, we put seven on the board then came right back and scored again, so that was a big start to the game for us."

Although this Cincinnati team consists of a group of confident players, getting that first win of the season restores a little bit of faith for the players and fans.

"Just the win itself is all we needed. Our guys know what we’re capable of. We just need to get in that win column and positive momentum, not only with our team but the fans," Taylor said.

Burrow also added that the way they played today was going to be the epitome of what they want to be for the rest of the year.

"That's critical going forward for the rest of the season. Coming out fast, putting points on the board," Burrow said. "That last series was the epitome of what we want to be for the rest of the year."

Looking ahead to Thursday's game at Paycor Stadium, Taylor says "[Miami] has beaten some really good football teams, so it's gonna be a tough test for us, but I know our fans are gonna be there to help us. Help us do everything we can to pull out a win."

INJURIES:
Defensive tackle D.J. Reader was ruled out for the rest of Sunday's game due to a left knee injury. "I just know it's a knee injury, hopefully, it's better than not, but we'll get more information on that," Taylor said.

Tee Higgins also took another hard hit that knocked his helmet off earlier on in the game but remind in. He was taken out of the first game of the season against the Steelers for a concussion.

WHAT'S NEXT:

The Cincinnati Bengals will break out their 'White Bengal' helmets and white uniforms for Thursday's primetime game against the Miami Dolphins at Paycor Stadium.

Kick-off is set for 8:15 p.m.

CINCINNATI — For the Bengals coaching staff, the anticipation for the upcoming season can be equated to that of a child waiting to see what Santa Claus brought.

“It’s like Christmas morning again,” said Bengals assistant head coach Darrin Simmons. “I know what’s in the wrapping, but I haven’t gotten to play with the toys yet.”

Training camp begins this week, in a year when the expectations are higher than in recent seasons.

“We need to do better; we know that,” team owner Mike Brown said. “We think we’re in position to do that. We look forward to doing better and getting the stadium looking the way at games that we think it should.”

He’s talking about packing Paul Brown Stadium with fans, which they are allowed to do this season with COVID-19-related attendance restrictions having been lifted.

“You just feel that excitement that you forgot that you missed,” Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said. “You didn’t forget, but you didn’t get to experience it. Now that it’s back, I know that our players are juiced up. Our fans, our coaches, everybody’s ready to get a full crowd out here and get after it.”

A full crowd at home would be the first of quarterback Joe Burrow’s pro career. Remarkably, Burrow is fully cleared to practice on day one of training camp — eight months after a serious knee injury.

"To be where he is now does not surprise me," offensive coordinator Brian Callahan said. "It's almost unfairly expected just because we know how he works."

The Bengals are looking for their first winning season since 2015.

The team kicks off their 2021 campaign Sept. 12 at home against the Minnesota Vikings.