Four games, four hard fought wins - that's the story of the 2004 New York Jets. For the fourth game in a row the Jets dominated the contest but just weren't able to put the game away until the very end. Just like in the three previous games the Jets easily took the lead early in the game but allowed their opponent to almost make a comeback, as the game came down to the wire late in the 4th quarter. This time it was PK Doug Brien and his 38-yard field goal with less than a minute to go in the 4th quarter that gave the Jets a 16-14 lead and 4th win in a row.
The Gang Green started the game with a 15-play drive that went for 61 yards and culminated in a missed field goal from just 29 yards. The Bills responded with an 11-play drive that lasted almost seven minutes, but just like the Jets they also came out empty and were forced to punt inside the Jets territory.
The Jets went three and out on their first drive of the second quarter but they weren't to be denied six minutes later when QB Chad Pennington connected with TE Chris Baker on an easy 1-yard TD pass. The Jets took a 7-0 lead, which was extended to 10-0 later in the quarter as PK Doug Brien nailed a 37-yard field goal.
In the third quarter the Jets' defense made the Bills punt on of all their three possessions, Brien kicked yet another field goal, increasing the lead to 13-0, and it looked like the Jets would comfortably cruise to their fourth win in a row.
It all looked good in the 4th quarter as well. Chad Pennington moved the Jets inside the Bills' territory where the Gang Green found themselves inside field goal range with a perfect opportunity to increase the lead to at least two touchdowns. But the wins just don't come easy for the New York Jets this year... Pennington was intercepted inside the Bills' 30, the Bills got the ball and the momentum to go with it. Less than 5 minutes later Bledsoe connected with TE Campbell for a 16-yard TD pass and the lead was cut to 13-7. Another three and out for the Jets, following a typical conservative series of calls by Paul Hackett, and the Bills found themselves driving for a possible lead. Three plays later Bledsoe connected with rookie WR Evans for a 46-yard TD and the Bills were already ahead 4-13!
That's where Hackett was finally forced to throw out his ultraconservative playbook and let Chad Pennington do his work. Pennington easily moved the Jets inside the Bills' 30 and Brien's 38-yard field goal pulled the Jets ahead, 16-14. The Bills had their chance to come back yet again but a sack by DE John Abraham and an interception by CB Terrell Buckley put an end to their hopes.
Chad Pennington finished the game 31 for 42, 304 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT. RB Curtis Martin gained only 77 yards on 22 carries as the Bills were keying on the run for the most part of the game. WR Wayne Chrebet led the team with 8 catches for 90 yards, including a few crucial 3rd down receptions.
On defense, DE John Abraham recorded his season high 3.0 sacks and 6 solo tackles. CB Donnie Abraham defended 3 passes. Rookie MLB Jonathan Vilma, who started for the second time in a row, had 7 tackles (6 solo) and a sack, the first sack of his short NFL career. Rookie S Erik Coleman recorded 6 tackles (3 solo) and defended 2 passes.
Next week the Jets will take on the San Francisco 49ers (1-4) at Giants Stadium. The kickoff is at 1:00 PM EST.