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Favre Outduels Pennington to Beat the Dolphins 20-14
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Live from Florida comes the beat report on today's game. I have just returned from attending the game at Dolphin stadium, and now that I can see through my sweat, here comes my report. I don't know how they take this heat down here.
Anyway, to the game........
The Jets struck first on the second drive of the day, taking one play to show the Brett Favre cannon, hitting Jerricho Cotchery on a 56 yard TD pass to put the Jets up 7-0. The Miami offense started the game a little flat, and the Jets had a chance to go up 10-0 later in the quarter, but Mike Nugent missed a 32 yard field goal wide right. He came up with a hamstring injury, but returned later, but not before his injury nearly cost the team. More on that later.
Early in the second, Chad Pennington hit on a 5 yard TD pass to Anthony Fasano to tie the game at 7-7. Now here comes where Nugent's injury almost came into play. The Jets drive to the Miami 22 yard line, and are faced with a 4th and 14. Instead of going for a field goal, they go for it on 4th down, Favre faces a monster rush, throws up a prayer that is answered by Chansi Stuckey as he pulls it in for an improbable TD. Then instead of going for an extra point, they go for 2 and fail, leaving the game at 13-7 as the half ends.
With about 1 minute left in the 4th quarter, Thomas Jones scored what proved to be the deciding TD, running around the right side and beating everyone to the corner for a 6 yard TD. Nugent returned for an extra point that ran the game to 20-7.
The game didn't come without a scare for the Jets. With 6:48 to go, Chad leads the Fish on an 8 play 53 yard drive capped by an 11 yard TD pass to David Martin to cut the cap to 20-14. On the ensuing drive, the Jets were unable to put the game away with a first down, so the Dolphins had a chance with 1:43 left in the game. Chad led the team to the 18 yard line before Darrelle Revis picked off a pass in the end zone intended for Ted Ginn, Jr. to put the game on ice.
Brett Favre managed the game efficiently in his debut, going 15-22 194 yards and 2 TDs. Thomas Jones led the way on the ground with 22 carries for 101 yards and the game clinching TD. Brett's new favorite target Jerricho Cotchery led the receiving corp with 3 catches for 80 yards and the long TD.
Pennington played well in his debut going 26-43 251 yards, 2 TDs and the one INT late in the game They never got a running game going against the Jets new and improved run defense, with Ricky Williams finishing with only 24 yards on 10 carries. Anthony Fasano topped the receiving with 8 catches for 84 yards and 1 TD.
Up next for the Jets is a return home to face their arch rivals the New England Patriots. They may be without Brady, which could make things interesting...
