Brad Smith scored a pair of second-half touchdowns - on a reverse and kickoff return - to spark the New York Jets to a 26-10 victory over the visiting Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday night.

Smith's 53-yard run on an end around in the opening minute of the second half put the Jets ahead to stay and his 89-yard kickoff with just over 12 minutes to play provided breathing room as New York won its fourth consecutive game.

Mark Sanchez threw for 166 yards on 16-of-28 passing and hooked up with Santonio Holmes for their fourth touchdown pass in the last three games as the Jets (9-2) remained tied with the New England Patriots atop the AFC East.

The scoring pass to Holmes came two plays after a Jets punt grazed the helmet of a Cincinnati defender and New York recovered.

After posting back-to-back overtime wins on the road and beating Houston with 10 seconds to play last Sunday, the Jets finally prevailed without the need for some late theatrics.

The Bengals (2-9) took a 7-3 lead into halftime on Carson Palmer's 5-yard scoring pass to Jordan Shipley with 43 seconds left in the second quarter.

Cincinnati managed only a 28-yard field goal by Aaron Pettrey in the second half to get within 17-10 with 12:33 to play, but Smith brought back the ensuing kickoff for the touchdown despite losing a shoe near midfield to send the Bengals to their eighth consecutive defeat.

Palmer was 17 of 38 for 135 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. Terrell Owens managed just three receptions for 17 yards while Chad Ochocinco had four catches for 41 yards.

Palmer was also sacked by Trevor Pryce in the end zone for a safety.