If there were any doubts that QB Chad Pennington was injury prone, these doubts were erased this afternoon when the Jets' quarterback re-injured his shoulder, threw a couple of interceptions and raised even more questions about his future as an NFL quarterback. The Jacksonville Jaguars prevailed in this hard fought battle, 26-20, as the Jets' offense looked absolutely anemic, producing just 168 total yards.
The Jaguars took an early 10-0 lead when QB Byron Leftwich connected with one of his wide receivers on a 21-yard touchdown pass. The Jets, however, instantly responded on the ensuing possession. Pennington, first, threw a 30-yard pass to TE Chris Baker and then a 35-yard pass interference penalty put the Jets inside Jacksonville's 5-yard line. Three plays later FB Jerald Sowell rumbled into the end zone, cutting the Jags' lead to 10-7.
The game turned from better to worse early in the 3rd quarter when Chad Pennington was sacked and reinjured his shoulder. But once again when the offense struggled, it was the Jets' defense that kept them in the game. Four plays later DE John Abraham forced a fumble, which was recovered by DT James Reed and returned 33 yards for a touchdown, making the score 14-10. Jacksonville responded with a field goal, cutting the Jets' lead to just one point. On the first play of the 4th quarter the Jaguars pulled ahead when RB Fred Taylor scored a 3-yard touchdown. The score was set up by Jets rookie CB Justin Miller who muffed a punt, which Jacksonville recovered inside the Jets' 20. The Jets answered with a field goal and scored another one with a bit over 2 minutes left in the quarter, as they tied the score, 20-20.
The Jets won the coin toss in overtime, but on the third play from scrimmage Pennington threw his second interception of the game that was returned into the Jets' territory and put the Jags close to field goal range. The Jets defense, however, wasn't ready to give up just yet. Rookie SS Kerry Rhodes returned the favor as he intercepted Leftwich on the Jets' 12-yard line. But with the Jets' offense struggling so much it was just a matter of time until the inevitable disappointing end. The offense committed two penalties, getting themselves into an even deeper hole, as the ball was placed on the Jets' 5-yard line. Then, Pennington almost got sacked for a safety, moving the ball back to the 1. The ensuing punt basically put the Jaguars in field goal range and 3 plays later Leftwich connected with WR Jimmy Smith for a 36-yard touchdown, ending the battle with a well-deserved win for the Jaguars.
I am not sure what arguments the supporters of Chad Pennington can use in this case, but it's quite obvious now that the 64-million dollar quarterback just can't stay healthy. His naturally weak arm has gotten even worse after the offseason surgery and it also looks like he lost the confidence in his abilities, which is something he definitely had in 2002, the season when many were comparing him to Joe Montana.
Pennington and QB Jay Fielder, who got also injured in this game, both will have MRIs on Monday. Pennington said his shoulder feels like it did in Buffalo last year, when he suffered a torn rotator cuff. Fiedler reportedly couldn't lift his shoulder on the sidelines. Additionally, OT Jason Fabini hurt his knee and will also have an MRI on Monday.