QB Chad Pennington showed that the New York Jets are still his team, as he threw two touchdown passes and ran for another win en route to a 31-28 win against the Miami Dolphins.
The Jets took a 7-0 lead, their first lead of the season, on their second possession when Pennington connected with WR Laveranues Coles on a 3-yard touchdown pass in the left corner of the end zone. Miami struck right back on the ensuing possession, tying the score 7-7. Then it was RB Leon Washington’s time to shine. Washington returned Miami’s kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown, as the Gang Green retook the lead, 14-7. The Dolphins replied with two field goals, closing the gap to 14-13. The Jets got the ball back with 1:28 remaining in the second quarter and Pennington orchestrated a perfect two-minute offense, culminating the 9-play drive with a 4-yard touchdown pass to TE Chris Baker, 21-13.
New York took over seven minutes off the game clock on their first drive of the second quarter but stumbled inside Miami’s 5-yard yard and had to settle for a field goal, 24-13. On the next possession, that also lasted over seven minutes, Pennington scored himself as he ran two yards through the middle with 12:51 left in the fourth quarter, 31-13. Miami attempted a comeback, scoring two touchdowns in a row, but came up short, 31-28.
QB Chad Pennington finished the game 15 of 22 for 124 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT. RB Thomas Jones gained 110 yards on 25 carries – his first 100+ yard game as a Jet. WR Jerricho Cotchery made a few clutch catches and finished the game with 5 grabs for 54 yards.
S Erik Coleman made the team-high 12 tackles (5 solo). S Kerry Rhodes had an interception in the third quarter – first Jets’ takeaway of the season. DE Shaun Ellis registered the first team sack of the season on the game’s opening possession.
Next Sunday the Gang Green will travel to Buffalo to take on the Buffalo Bills (0-3). The kickoff time is at 1:00 PM EST.