NFL

Muhammad Wilkerson tirade doesn’t inspire Jets

Defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson had one of the few good plays for the Jets on Sunday against the Bengals and he had a good moment at halftime.

Wilkerson, an emerging leader of the team, lit into his teammates at the intermission, imploring them to improve their play.

“I just told the guys it’s not Jets football the way that we’re playing,” Wilkerson said. “We have to step up. Unfortunately we didn’t get the job done and play Jets football.”

Rookie quarterback Geno Smith didn’t get the message. He threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown by Chris Crocker on the first play of the second half and the Bengals went on to a 49-9 victory.

Wilkerson had a big play in the second quarter, when he tipped an Andy Dalton pass and then intercepted it. The play gave the Jets the ball at the Bengals’ 30 trailing 14-0, but the offense could only muster a field goal.

“All we can do as a defense is try to turn over the ball,” Wilkerson said. “We got a turnover there and the offense was in good field position. We’ve got to convert touchdowns instead of three points.”

It was a quiet day for the defensive line, which managed just one sack — and that was the Jets’ only hit on Dalton in the game. Wilkerson said Dalton was getting the ball out quickly because the Jets secondary was unable to jam receivers at the line.

“It works hand in hand,” Wilkerson said. “We got balls thrown over our head. It works both ways. If those guys don’t hold them up for a second, those receivers, then there’s no point in rushing really.”

Quarterback Matt Simms made his NFL debut in the fourth quarter when he replaced Smith. Simms completed 3-of-7 passes for 17 yards and ran for 35 yards on three carries. He was actually the Jets leading rusher. He scrambled for 10 yards on fourth-and-11 and made a diving attempt at the first down.

“There were a lot of emotions going,” Simms said. “I was very excited to go in, but obviously, not in those circumstances. It was still a good experience to get out there and see the field and the defense.”

Tight end Jeff Cumberland suffered a head injury in the third quarter and did not return. … Wide receiver David Nelson had a season-high eight receptions for 80 yards. … Tight end Zach Sudfeld had his first career reception and finished with two catches for 10 yards. … Smith now has 16 turnovers this season. … A week after rushing for 104 yards, Chris Ivory had just 11 on six carries. … ESPN reported the NFL admitted the Jets should have been penalized for pushing on the Patriots’ game-tying field goal in the final minute of regulation last week when Quinton Coples gave Wilkerson a shove.