EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The Bengals' opening touchdown drive was their best of the season. It was the longest in time, 12 minutes, and the most number of plays, 20.

        The previous longs were 8:10 against Tampa Bay and 16 plays against Cleveland on Oct.14. Both drives ended in field goals.

        The longest drive in yards was Corey Dillon's 96-yard touchdown run on the first offensive play of the Detroit game.

        In the first drive against the Jets, quarterback Akili Smith, in his first start, was 4-for-4 passing for 35 yards. He also ran four times for 15 yards.

        The touchdown gave the Bengals 27 points in the first quarter this season and was the second opening touchdown drive of the year.

        THREE DOZEN: With the 15-14 loss to the Jets, the Bengals now have lost 36 games in a row on the road to teams with winning records. New York is now 8-5 and snapped a two-game losing streak.

        The last time the Bengals defeated a winning team on the road was Dec.2, 1990, when they topped the 6-5 Steelers at Three Rivers Stadium.

        The Bengals play two of their final games on the road this season and are an NFL-worst 20-74 away from home since the start of the 1990 season.

        FAST FRIENDS: Bengals wide receiver Peter Warrick and Jets receiver Laveranues Coles faced off for the first time since they were Florida State teammates.

        It was Warrick and Coles who were charged less than $11 for more than $100 worth of clothing at the Dillard's department store in Tallahasee, Fla. Warrick was suspended for two games by coach Bobby Bowden but went on to star in the national title game against Virginia Tech. Coles, who had been in trouble previously, was dismissed from the team and had to leave campus to get ready for the NFL draft.

        Coles had two receptions for 23 yards, and Warrick had three for 28.

        Coles ran once for 19 yards, and Warrick once for 2 yards.

        INJURY REPORT: New injuries Sunday were defensive end Justin Smith (hip pointer), Dillon (dislocated little finger) and Akili Smith (hamstring). Justin Smith and Dillon are probable for next week's game at Baltimore. Akili Smith is out.

        Holdovers: Cornerback Bo Jennings (ankle) is probable, and linebacker Steve Foley (back) is questionable.

        TIGHT END: A Bengals tight end had a reception Sunday for the first time since Tony McGee had a six-yard catch against Tampa Bay two weeks ago. McGee is out for the year with a knee ligament injury.

        Kirk McMullen had a 4-yard catch against the Jets.

PREP BASKETBALL PAGE Jets 15, Bengals 14 Bengals Report Card Game statistics SULLIVAN: Akili earns another look Kitna continues to struggle Defensive lapses prove costly Dillon's numbers up but he wants wins Smith wins longest drive contest Jets break December hex Steelers 26, Ravens 21 Browns coach hurt in bottle-throwing melee

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