Bengals' defense, Dalton's five TDs doom Jets

CINCINNATI - The first seven games of the season for the Cincinnati Bengals were tight affairs. There was a margin of seven points or less in the fourth quarter of each of those games and five of them were decided by no more than six points.

There was no such drama Sunday at Paul Brown Stadium.

Quarterback Andy Dalton threw a career-high five touchdowns, four of them to wide receiver Marvin Jones, and the Bengals rolled to their fourth consecutive win, 49-9, against the New York Jets.

Cincinnati (6-2) outgained the Jets (4-4) 402-240, including holding them to just one yard of offense in the first quarter, and returned two interceptions of Jets rookie quarterback Geno Smith for touchdowns. The 40-point margin of victory was their largest in 11 seasons under head coach Marvin Lewis.

"That was ugly, to say the least," said Jets head coach Rex Ryan. "We're only fortunate that it only counts for one loss because you get your butt kicked like that, we're fortunate that is all it is."

Dalton finished with 325 yards on 19 of 30 passing with one interception. It was his third consecutive 300-yard passing game -- the first time he has accomplished that in his career.

"I feel like we've got so many things that we can do offensively," Dalton said. "Even if there was a way to defend us I wouldn't be saying it. We get a bunch of different looks, though."

Jones' four touchdowns set a franchise record for single-game touchdown receptions and equaled the franchise record for most touchdowns in a game, set previously by running backs Larry Kinnebrew and Corey Dillon. Jones caught eight passes for 122 yards, his first career 100-yard game. He had three touchdown receptions coming into the game.

Dalton threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to Jones on the opening drive of the game and then found tight end Jermaine Gresham for a 4-yard touchdown on Cincinnati's second possession and a 14-0 lead. Dalton and Jones also connected on touchdown passes of 6 and 14 yards in the first half as the Bengals took a 28-6 lead to the locker room. They added their fourth touchdown in the third quarter, a 6-yard pass in which Jones took a short throw and did most of the work himself to give the Bengals a 42-9 lead.

"(Dalton) was just looking at the coverage and the guys off," said Jones. "It was just a good throw pertaining to how the coverage was. It was like 'Let's get him another one' but it was good."

Safety Chris Crocker and cornerback Adam Jones returned interceptions for touchdowns against Smith in the second half. Crocker stepped in front of wide receiver Jeremy Kerley and returned the interception 32 yards on the first play from scrimmage in the third quarter. Adam Jones returned an interception 60 yards for a touchdown with 13:09 left in the fourth quarter.

It was the second career interception return for touchdowns for both players.

Smith has now thrown 13 interceptions, three of which have been returned for touchdowns. He also lost a fumble that was returned for a touchdown at Tennessee earlier this season.

"I have to do a better job keeping the ball out of the defender's reach so they can't make those types of plays," said Smith. "I wouldn't say they surprised us. They played their game. They got us behind early and their defensive line was able to get after us. They made it tough on us."

Smith finished the game 20-of-30 for 159 yards and a passer rating of 51.9. He was replaced by Matt Simms after the Adam Jones interception return.

Kicker Nick Folk accounted for all of New York's scoring with field goals of 45, 47 and 50 yards.

NOTES: Dalton has thrown touchdown passes in nine of his last 11 quarters of play... The Jets' one yard of offense in the first quarter was their lowest total in the last 274 quarters since being held to minus-3 yards against Tennessee on Sept. 27, 2009... Cincinnati lost linebacker Rey Maualuga to a left knee injury and a concussion in the second quarter, while left tackle Andrew Whitworth also left the game with a right knee injury in the second quarter... New York tight end Jeff Cumberland left the game with a head injury... The 49 points allowed were the most by the Jets since losing to New England 49-19 on Nov. 22 of last year... Dalton's five touchdown passes are the most allowed by the Jets since Dan Marino had the same total on Nov. 27, 1988.