2006 New York Jets season
Encyclopedia
The 2006
New York Jets
season began with the team trying to improve on their 4–12 record in 2005
. The season marked the first for rookie head coach Eric Mangini
, who replaced Herman Edwards
after the latter left the Jets to coach the Kansas City Chiefs
. Although expectations were low for the team, the Jets managed to go 10–6, including winning five of their final six games, and clinched the fifth seed in the playoffs
. They fell in the wild card round to the division rival New England Patriots
by a score of 37–16.
left the Jets on January 8, when he was announced as the successor to coach Dick Vermeil
for the Kansas City Chiefs
, despite Edwards' insistence during the season that he would finish the remainder of his contract with the Jets. The Jets received a fourth-round pick in the 2006 NFL Draft
from the Chiefs for the right to negotiate with Edwards, which was roundly criticized as unsubstantial for the loss of a head coach. On January 17, the Jets announced that New England Patriots
defensive coordinator
Eric Mangini
had been signed as head coach. Mangini became the youngest head coach in the NFL, turning 35 on January 19. Mangini's first order of business was to reorganize the coaching staff. Offensive coordinator
Mike Heimerdinger
and defensive coordinator Donnie Henderson
were both released from the Jets staff. Special Teams Coordinator Mike Westoff was retained. A full staff was announced on February 20. Linebackers coach Bob Sutton
was named defensive coordinator and the team signed Jim Herrmann
to replace Sutton as the linebackers coach. Herrmann was the defensive coordinator at the University of Michigan
for twenty years before arriving in New York.
General Manager Terry Bradway announced that he was stepping down as Jets GM on February 7. Assistant GM Mike Tannenbaum was named the new GM on the same day. Bradway continues to be employed by the Jets organization as a scouting consultant.
, quarterback Jay Fiedler
, linebacker Barry Gardner
, defensive tackle Lance Legree
, fullback Jerald Sowell
and wide receiver Harry Williams were placed on waivers. The team chose not to tender an offer to Mark Brown
. Cornerback Ty Law
also parted ways with the Jets, as the organization decided not to exercise the contract option to extend his contract through 2008. Running back Curtis Martin
agreed to an undisclosed restructured contract.
Pro Bowl
Center
Kevin Mawae
was released on March 5. Mawae disagreed with the assertion that his release was for salary cap reasons, as his cut would only be a savings of $1.1 million, and felt that it was simply a change in direction for the team.
The Jets also restructured the contract of quarterback Chad Pennington. Pennington's contract was cut from a base salary of $6 million to $3 million. Pennington will be able to make back the $3 million through incentives. He also had to forfeit his $3 million roster bonus that was due at the start of free agency.
John Abraham
was designated the team's franchise player. He would later be traded to the Atlanta Falcons
involving a 3-way trade between the Jets, Falcons, and the Denver Broncos
. The Falcons traded their first-round draft pick (#15) to the Broncos for the Broncos first (#29), third (#93) and 2008 fourth-round pick. The Falcons traded the #29 overall pick to the Jets in exchange for Abraham.
Patrick Ramsey
was traded to the Jets on March 17 for their sixth-round draft pick. Tight end Chris Baker
, who became an unrestricted free agent in the offseason, re-signed with the Jets, his hometown team, on March 24. Andre Dyson
was signed by the Jets on March 29 for a five-year, $11.5 million deal, including $3 million in signing and roster bonuses.
Other notable signings include linebackers Matt Chatham
, a former New England Patriot, ex-Tennessee Titan Brad Kassell
, ex-Pittsburgh Steeler defensive end Kimo von Oelhoffen
, another ex-Patriot wide receiver, Tim Dwight
, ex-Denver Bronco defensive tackle Monsanto Pope
, ex-Buffalo Bill center Trey Teague
, and ex-Arizona Cardinal Offensive Tackle Anthony Clement
.
The club also signed former longtime Jets Victor Green
and Richie Anderson
. Both intend to retire in a Jets uniform. Kevan Barlow
was acquired from the San Francisco 49ers for an undisclosed draft pick in the 2007 NFL Draft
, after the Jets' trade of defensive back Derrick Strait
to the Cleveland Browns for running back Lee Suggs
on August 14 fell through because Suggs failed his physical.
On the eve of the Jets pre-season finale, they sent quarterback Brooks Bollinger to the Minnesota Vikings
for C.J. Mosley. Backup tight end Doug Jolley was also traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
for an undisclosed draft pick. The team also picked up Cowboys
tight end Sean Ryan
for an undisclosed draft pick and claimed former Texas standout Sloan Thomas
from the Titans
.
, which was held on April 29 and April 30. When the Houston Texans
announced they would take defensive end
Mario Williams
of North Carolina State
instead of Heisman Trophy
-winning running back
Reggie Bush
of USC
, some observers felt the Jets should trade up to the second pick and draft him. However, it appeared that making such a trade would have been too prohibitive for the team, and Bush would be drafted second by the New Orleans Saints
. Instead, the Jets decided to focus on their offensive line with the draft and took offensive tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson
from Virginia
. With their other first-round pick, they took center
Nick Mangold
of Ohio State
.
that negated an interception by defensive back Reynaldo Hill
, capped off by a 1-yard touchdown run from Kevan Barlow
.
After another Titans punt, Tennessee head coach Jeff Fisher
grew impatient with starting quarterback Kerry Collins
, pulling him in favor of rookie quarterback Vince Young
. Young drove the Titans to the Jets' 32-yard line, but underthrew receiver David Givens
on the next play, and Andre Dyson
intercepted. Pennington drove the Jets into the Titans' red zone, completing a 10-yard pass to Sean Ryan
, but Ryan was hit hard by Keith Bulluck
and fumbled, with Tennessee recovering. However, two plays later, the Jets would get the ball right back, as Collins, inserted back into the game, was intercepted by Dyson, his second of the quarter. Setting up shop at the Titans' 36-yard line, the Jets would capitalize, as Pennington threw an 8-yard touchdown pass to Jerricho Cotchery
with 18 seconds left in the first half, but kicker Mike Nugent
shanked the extra-point attempt wide right to leave the Jets with a 13–0 halftime lead.
Tennessee's woes in the passing game continued as soon as the second half started, with Collins getting intercepted again, this time by Kerry Rhodes
, who returned the ball 25 yards to the Tennessee 22. Nugent nailed an 18-yard field goal as the drive stalled at the one-yard line. On the Jets' next possession, Pennington drove to the red zone again, but Nugent missed a 34-yard field goal attempt wide right. On the Jets' next possession, Pennington appeared to find Cotchery on a 2-yard touchdown pass, but the touchdown was nullified by a holding penalty on D'Brickashaw Ferguson
. When the drive stalled, Nugent missed another field goal, hitting the right upright from 30 yards out.
Tennessee finally capitalized, with Travis Henry
scoring on a 3-yard touchdown run with 10:48 left in the game. Tennessee went for two, and brought in Young. Young's pass intended for Bobby Wade
was incomplete, but Jets defensive back Derrick Strait
was flagged for pass interference, giving the Titans second life. They would take advantage, with Collins handing off to Henry for the conversion. After a trade of punts, the Jets took over on their own 11 with 7:28 to go. On third down, Pennington was sacked by Cortland Finnegan
, and Tennessee's Randy Starks
recovered at New York's 1-yard line. Tennessee went for two and converted, with Collins finding Drew Bennett
open, and the game was tied, 16–16.
The Jets came right back, first with Justin Miller returning the ensuing kickoff 41 yards, and then Pennington steadily driving downfield, finding Baker on the 12-yard touchdown pass to cap a 7-play, 57-yard drive. The Jets had to hold on because on the next possession, Collins found Bennett on a 26-yard completion moving the ball to midfield, and he then completed long passes to Ben Troupe
and Wade to move the ball to the Jets' 12-yard line with 1:11 to play. The Jets locked down, and on 4th-and-6 from the Jets' 8-yard line, Collins' pass for Bo Scaife
was knocked away by Rhodes, ending the game.
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. The Patriots stated that while the Jets had permission to negotiate a contract with Branch, any trade talks were to be solely between the teams. They claimed that because Branch and his representatives had knowledge of what was being offered in a trade, the Patriots' negotiating position was compromised.
led the Patriots on an 11-play, 82-yard drive, capped by Corey Dillon
's 1-yard touchdown run. Following another Jets punt, Brady led New England on an 87-yard drive capped by rookie kicker Stephen Gostkowski
's 20-yard field goal and a 10–0 lead. The game turned when Jets punter Ben Graham shanked a 10-yard punt booting from his own 40, giving Brady and the Patriots the ball at midfield with 1:01 to go in the half. Aided by big completions to Troy Brown
(14 yards) and Benjamin Watson
(23 yards), with 20 seconds to play, Brady found Chad Jackson
on a 13-yard touchdown pass that appeared to break the Jets' backs.
On the Jets' first drive of the second half, they were faced with a 4th-and-1 from their own 46-yard line. Coach Eric Mangini
risked going for it, but running back Kevan Barlow
was stopped at the line for no gain. Aided by two costly Jets penalties, a pass-interference call on Victor Hobson
and a defensive holding call on Erik Coleman
, New England drove to the Jets' 1-yard line, where rookie running back Laurence Maroney
punched the ball in for a 24–0 Patriots lead.
But, the dormant Jets offense finally woke up. On a 3rd-and-13 from their own 29-yard line, Chad Pennington
completed a deep pass downfield to Jerricho Cotchery
, who had to backpedal and leap for the ball as Pennington scrambled out of the pocket. He was hit hard by the Patriots' Chad Scott
, and fell on top of the Patriots' Eugene Wilson. Hearing no whistle, he sprang up and ran untouched to the end zone. New England's challenge of the touchdown was upheld, as only Cotchery's hand hit the ground. Fired up by the miracle touchdown, Brady was intercepted by David Barrett, and on the ensuing possession, Pennington found Laveranues Coles
on a slant pattern across the middle. Coles juked, causing Eugene Wilson to slip, and then outran the Patriots to the end zone to make it a 24–14 game with 50 seconds left in the third quarter.
The Jets' rejuvenated defense caused Brady to fumble on New England's next possession, with Kerry Rhodes
sacking and Bryan Thomas recovering at the Patriots' 49-yard line. The Jets converted the opportunity into a 42-yard field goal from Mike Nugent
, and suddenly, the Jets only trailed by a touchdown. But when New England got the ball back with 9:14 to go on their own 30, they steadily wore the Jets down. Brady converted three third downs as the Patriots drove to the Jets' 12-yard line with 1:11 to go, and a chip-shot field goal away from icing the game. But kicker Gostkowski was blocked by Jonathan Vilma, who returned the ball to the Jets' 9-yard line. With no timeouts and 1:05 to go, the Jets moved the ball to their own 45-yard line, but Pennington's heave with 15 seconds left was tipped and intercepted by Tedy Bruschi
to effectively end the game.
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found Peerless Price
for an 18-yard completion. They finished their next play with a bang, as Losman found Roscoe Parrish
for a short completion, who then juked past a defender and sprinted into the end zone for a 7–0 Bills lead just 55 seconds into the game. After a Jets punt, Buffalo moved the ball to the Jets' 35-yard line, but on a fake field goal, holder Brian Moorman
threw an incomplete pass. After another Jets punt, Buffalo moved the ball to the Jets' 19-yard line, but Losman was sacked by Kerry Rhodes
, and Jonathan Vilma scooped up the loose ball. On Buffalo's next possession, following another Jets punt, Buffalo gambled and went for it on 4th-and-3 from the Jets' 28-yard line, but Losman's pass to Josh Reed
only picked up two yards. The Jets capitalized, with rookie running back Leon Washington
turning a short pass into a 46-yard gain to the Buffalo 3-yard line, where Kevan Barlow
ran it in to tie the game, 7–7.
But Buffalo came right back, using a 32-yard run by Willis McGahee
to move into Jets territory, and Rian Lindell
booted a 36-yard field goal. Following a trade of punts, the Jets took over at their own 33 with 2:43 left in the first half. Operating out of a no-huddle offense, Pennington quickly drove the Jets downfield, finding Laveranues Coles
and Jerricho Cotchery
for big completions of 10+ yards before Pennington found Chris Baker open on a 1-yard touchdown pass with 14 seconds left in the half to give the Jets a 14–10 halftime lead.
Buffalo forced a punt on the Jets' first possession of the second half, but with the ball on their own 33-yard line, Losman was sacked by Kerry Rhodes, and Victor Hobson
picked it up and raced into the end zone for a 32-yard fumble return touchdown. It was Rhodes' second sack that forced a fumble in the game and third in the last two games. Late in the third quarter, Losman turned the ball over again, getting intercepted by David Barrett
. But Losman atoned for his mistakes, finding Josh Reed open on a 31-yard completion to set up a 28-yard field goal by Lindell with 9:17 left in the game. The Jets appeared to put the game away on the next possession, with Cedric Houston
scoring his first touchdown of the season on a 5-yard run with 3:26 to play. But Losman rallied Buffalo, finding Peerless Price and Lee Evans
on long completions before running the ball into the end zone from 12 yards out on a scramble to cut the Jets' lead to 28–20. On the ensuing onside kick, Buffalo caught a break, as Lindell's onside kick bounced off the elbow of Jets linebacker Matt Chatham
, and André Davis
recovered. But Buffalo could not get a first down, ending the game.
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was sacked by Robert Mathis
, fumbled, and the Colts' Josh Thomas recovered. Dominic Rhodes
would score on a 6-yard touchdown run minutes later, an inauspicious start. The teams would trade punts for the rest of the first quarter before Pennington drove the Jets at the beginning of the second quarter, using long completions to Laveranues Coles
and Tim Dwight
before he found Jerricho Cotchery
on a 33-yard touchdown pass. What happened next stunned the Colts: Mike Nugent
tried an onside kick and Kerry Rhodes
recovered, sparking the home crowd. The Jets would make that surprise work, as Kevan Barlow
scored on a 1-yard touchdown run with 4:44 left in the first half, and the Jets had a 14–7 lead. But Peyton Manning rallied the Colts, converting a key third down to Marvin Harrison
before Joseph Addai
scored on a 2-yard touchdown run to tie the score going to halftime.
Indianapolis punted to open the second half, and the Jets began to drive. Pennington converted three third downs on a drive that took nearly nine minutes off the clock, but it did not end well. Jets coach Eric Mangini
tried his second gamble of the game: going for it on 4th-and-goal from the Colts' 2-yard line. But Pennington's pass was intercepted in the end zone by Rocky Boiman
, the first time in his career Pennington was intercepted in the end zone. Boiman's interception would set up a fast-and-furious finish as the teams scored 31 points in the fourth quarter.
Indianapolis took advantage of Boiman's interception and drove to set up Martin Gramatica
's 20-yard field goal, as Joseph Addai picked up big yardage on the drive. Using a no-huddle offense, Pennington drove the Jets downfield, and aided by an illegal contact penalty on the Colts' Mike Doss
, scored the go-ahead touchdown as Kevan Barlow scored on a 5-yard run with 7:55 to play. Manning led the Colts right back, and aided by a questionable pass-interference penalty on Justin Miller, found Bryan Fletcher on a 2-yard touchdown pass with 2:40 to play. Miller appeared to be the goat, but on the ensuing kickoff ran the ball back 103 yards for a touchdown that sent Jets fans into hysteria. The Jets led 28–24 with 2:20 to play. But that would be enough time for Manning, converting a huge third down to Marvin Harrison
and a 15-yard pass to Reggie Wayne
going to the Jets' 1-yard line. Manning ran the ball up the middle on the next play to give the Colts the lead.
With eight seconds to play and the ball on the Jets' 32-yard line, Pennington completed a seemingly innocuous pass to Leon Washington
. But what followed was an amazing attempt to pull off a miracle. In order, the Jets tried a series of several laterals, going from Washington, to Brad Smith
, to Laveranues Coles, to Pennington, to Justin McCareins, back to Smith, who fumbled but recovered. He lateraled back to Coles, who fumbled but recovered. At this point, the Jets were at the Colts' 40-yard line. Coles ran down 13 yards and then tossed off to Nick Mangold
, who fumbled, but this time, the Colts' Jason David
recovered, ending the game.
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was intercepted by Brian Williams
on the Jets' first possession. Byron Leftwich
then completed a short pass to Fred Taylor, who turned it into a 32-yard gain. Two plays later, Maurice Jones-Drew
scored on a 6-yard touchdown run. After forcing a punt, Jacksonville wasted no time tacking onto their lead, with Leftwich completing passes to Reggie Williams
and George Wrighster
for long gains. Taylor would then score on a 13-yard touchdown run for a 14–0 Jaguars lead.
Early in the second quarter, the Jets attempted a punt, but the Jaguars' Gerald Sensabaugh
blocked it, and Jorge Cordova
recovered at the Jets' 8-yard line. Three plays later, Jones-Drew scored on a 4-yard touchdown run, surviving a challenge by the Jets. It only snowballed from there, as Pennington was intercepted by Terry Cousin
on the next possession, and Leftwich flipped a 1-yard touchdown pass to Wrighster.
Jacksonville would add a Josh Scobee
43-yard field goal early in the second half, and after Deon Grant
intercepted Pennington, Leftwich threw a 16-yard touchdown pass to Williams for a 38–0 lead. The Jets' lone scoring chance in the second half was stopped when Leon Washington
was stuffed on a 4th-and-goal from the Jaguars' 1-yard line early in the fourth quarter. The Jets were stopped on fourth down on their next possession when Pennington's scramble fell a yard short, and Scobee added a 40-yard field goal to close the scoring. On the Jets' final possession, backup rookie quarterback Kellen Clemens
made his first appearance under center, but the drive ended badly when he was sacked by Montavious Stanley
and Nick Greisen
recovered.
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4th Quarter
kicking a 33-yard field goal on the Jets' first possession, their first points in the first quarter all season. The defense was a force early, a week after being trashed in the 41–0 loss to Jacksonville, as Andre Dyson
intercepted Miami quarterback Joey Harrington
on the next possession. After a punt, the Jets again forced a turnover, as Victor Hobson
picked Harrington off. Midway through the second quarter, Miami gambled on a 4th-and-1 from the Jets' 29-yard line, but Ronnie Brown
was stopped. The game went to halftime still 3–0 Jets.
Pennington led the Jets on a long drive to open the second half, capped off by another 33-yard field goal by Nugent. Miami came right back, driving inside the Jets' red zone, but the defense held firm, holding Miami to an Olindo Mare
21-yard field goal. After a good kick return by Justin Miller, Pennington turned a short completion to Laveranues Coles
into a 58-yard touchdown as Coles found an opening and raced to the end zone for a 13–3 Jets lead. After Sammy Morris
fumbled on the next possession for Miami, Pennington found Coles on a 22-yard touchdown pass to open up a 17-point lead with 13:23 to play.
Miami came right back, however, with Harrington leading the Dolphins quickly downfield on a 12-play, 81-yard drive, capped by a 2-yard touchdown toss to Chris Chambers
. After forcing a punt, Harrington again led Miami downfield, using an 11-play, 74-yard drive to pull Miami within 20–17, as Ronnie Brown scored on a 1-yard run. After another punt, Miami took over on their own 11-yard line with 2:18 to play. Harrington used big completions to Randy McMichael
and Chambers to move to the Jets' 32-yard line with 38 seconds to play, but Mare's game-tying 51-yard attempt was well short, sealing the victory for New York.
3rd Quarter
4th Quarter
found Jerricho Cotchery
on a 28-yard completion and rookie running back Leon Washington
picked up 23 yards on a sweep around end before Washington scored on a 5-yard touchdown run. On the Jets' next possession, Pennington fired a 44-yard touchdown pass to Justin McCareins, his first touchdown of the season, to open up a 14–0 lead. The Lions would get on the board early in the second quarter as Jon Kitna
had big completions to Dan Campbell
, Mike Furrey
, and Roy Williams
, the pass to Williams a 22-yard touchdown. But on the kickoff, Justin Miller returned the ball 56 yards inside Detroit territory, and after a pass from Pennington to Cotchery, Kevan Barlow
scored on a 3-yard touchdown run. Kitna would get intercepted by Kerry Rhodes
on the next possession, but Pennington would then get picked off by Terrence Holt
at the Detroit 2-yard line to short-circuit a possible score. The Jets led 21–7 at halftime.
Kitna would again get intercepted on the first possession of the second half, this time by Jonathan Vilma. But the drive went nowhere, and Detroit's next one, a 12-play, 83-yard drive, resulted in a 25-yard field goal by Jason Hanson
. The Jets got that right back, as Pennington converted a couple of third downs during a drive that was capped by Mike Nugent
's 33-yard field goal. Down fourteen points, Detroit halved New York's lead with Kitna finding Kevin Jones
on a 9-yard touchdown pass on a drive where Kitna converted a critical 4th-and-11 pass to Mike Furrey. The Jets would come right back, with Washington scoring on a 16-yard touchdown run on a sweep around end. Detroit would not give up, as Kitna found Furrey on an 18-yard touchdown pass on a play that survived a Jets challenge. On that drive, Kitna again converted a fourth down to Furrey. But Detroit's ensuing onside kick failed, and the Jets ran out the clock.
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4th Quarter
kicked a 27-yard field goal. On the Browns' next possession, Reuben Droughns
had two big gains to put the Browns in position for Phil Dawson
's 47-yard field goal, knotting the score, 3–3. Pennington was then intercepted by Sean Jones
, and Charlie Frye
led the Browns on a long drive that was capped by a 2-yard touchdown run by Droughns. Frye would get intercepted by Eric Smith
on the Browns' next possession, but Nugent missed a 52-yard field goal wide right, his first missed field goal since Week 1. However, the Jets would get a break as Dawson missed a chip-shot 26-yard field goal at the end of the first half. Still, Cleveland led 10–3 at halftime.
Cleveland got the ball first in the second half, and Droughns continued to move the ball, picking up solid yardage before Frye found Kellen Winslow II
open on a 30-yard touchdown reception. After the teams traded punts, Leon Washington
fumbled on the Jets' 10-yard line, with Nick Eason
forcing and Kamerion Wimbley
recovering. Dawson knocked in a 21-yard field goal to give Cleveland a 20–3 lead with 3:51 left in the third quarter. The Jets got an immediate lift when Justin Miller returned the ensuing kickoff 99 yards for a score, his second return of the year, to cut the lead to ten. After a Browns punt, Pennington drove the Jets into position for Nugent's 47-yard field goal to narrow the deficit to 20–13. But on the Jets' next possession, Pennington was again intercepted by Jones, but Cleveland was forced to punt.
After another trade of punts, the Jets took over on Cleveland's 47-yard line with 1:56 to play. On 4th-and-4 from the Cleveland 24 with 1:06 to play, Pennington lofted a pass that Chris Baker leapt for and caught with one hand as he began to land. Just before his foot hit the ground, the Browns' Brodney Pool
levelled Baker, who landed out-of-bounds but still in possession of the ball. The referee ruled that Baker was out-of-bounds, rather than ruling he was forced out, which would have led to a touchdown. Eric Mangini
called a timeout in the hopes that the referees would review the play, but since it was a judgement call, it was non-reviewable under NFL rules. Frye took a knee to end the game.
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4th Quarter
booted a 31-yard field goal. On the Jets' next play from scrimmage, Chad Pennington
was intercepted by Artrell Hawkins
. Two plays later, Tom Brady
found Doug Gabriel
open downfield for a long first down, but Victor Hobson
forced a fumble and Kerry Rhodes
recovered. The Jets followed with a time-consuming 16-play, 9:12 drive, capped off by a two-yard Kevan Barlow
touchdown run for a 7–3 Jets lead.
New England battled downfield, converting a 4th-and-1 from their own 44 with a run to fullback Heath Evans
, and on the first play after the two-minute warning, Brady appeared to be intercepted by Drew Coleman
, who ran the ball back 35 yards. But, the play was negated on a controversial roughing-the-passer call on Hobson, who dove at Brady as he was releasing the ball, but drove him into the ground, prompting the flag. The Patriots then converted on a 4th-and-3 from the Jets' 24, but would be forced to settle for a 21-yard field goal from Gostkowski with four seconds left.
Justin Miller ran back the opening kickoff of the second half 62 yards, and the drive ended with Pennington lining up in the shotgun on 4th-and-5 from the Patriots' 33, only to punt the ball to the New England 4. After a Patriots punt, Pennington led the Jets on another long drive, this one 15 plays and only 45 yards, but it ate 6:40 off the clock and resulted in Nugent's 34-yard field goal. Midway through the fourth quarter, Brady was intercepted by Erik Coleman
, and Pennington tossed a 22-yard touchdown pass to Jerricho Cotchery
, barely keeping his feet inbounds, although the play was never challenged. The Jets led 17–6 with 4:51 to go.
However, operating out of a no-huddle offense, Brady led the Patriots 61 yards in 31 seconds, capped by a 15-yard touchdown pass to Reche Caldwell
, and Brady found Caldwell again on the two-point conversion to narrow the lead to 17–14. But the next drive was critical, as the Jets forced New England to burn all three timeouts, punting with 1:15 to go. New England took over at their own 11-yard line and moved the ball to the Jets' 46-yard line. On the final play of the game, Brady was sacked by Shaun Ellis
.
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4th Quarter
converted key third downs to Brad Smith
and Tim Dwight
, and was soon faced with a 3rd-and-goal at the Bears' 6-yard line. Apparently unable to see an open Laveranues Coles
, Pennington lobbed a pass towards Chris Baker that was intercepted by Brian Urlacher
. With just under four minutes left in the half, Thomas Jones appeared to fumble and Kerry Rhodes
recovered, but Chicago successfully challenged the play, denying the Jets a scoring opportunity. The game was scoreless at halftime.
Eric Mangini
, apparently remembering the success of his surprise onside kick against Indianapolis in Week 4, decided to open the second half with one. Unfortunately, this one was scooped up by Chicago's Chris Harris
. On the Bears' first play, Jones broke off a 19-yard run, and Jones rushed every play on the drive that was capped off by a 20-yard field goal by Robbie Gould
. The Jets' next drive ended when Pennington was intercepted by Nathan Vasher
in Chicago territory. The Bears' game-breaking score came when Rex Grossman
completed a short pass to Mark Bradley
. The Jets' Drew Coleman
fell down attempting to make the tackle, and Bradley had an open lane to the end zone to extend the Bears' lead to 10–0. The Bears then went into a ball-control offense, and the Jets could not muster anything.
4th Quarter
fumbled the snap and the Jets had the ball at their own 46-yard line. A 36-yard completion from Chad Pennington
to Laveranues Coles
almost went for naught when Leon Washington
fumbled a short pass, but Brad Smith recovered. Mike Nugent
booted a 23-yard field goal to put the Jets on the board. On the Jets' next drive, Pennington led the Jets into Houston territory, aided by a pass-interference call on DeMarcus Faggins
. Nugent kicked a 34-yard field goal for a 6–0 Jets lead. Houston rebounded, with David Carr
converting a key third down to Andre Johnson
to set up Kris Brown
's 47-yard field goal. Pennington completed a long pass to Jerricho Cotchery
on the next drive to set up Nugent's career-long 54-yard field goal to give the Jets a 9–3 lead. The half ended when Brown came up five yards short on a 59-yard field goal attempt.
On the Jets' first possession of the second half, following a Houston punt, Pennington completed long passes to Chris Baker and Cotchery before finding Coles on a 12-yard touchdown pass. On the Jets' next drive, fans everywhere held their breath when Pennington was drilled by Mario Williams
while releasing a pass and was slow to get up. Luckily, he only had the wind knocked out of him. Kerry Rhodes
intercepted Carr soon after, and Pennington completed another long pass to Cotchery to set up Cedric Houston
's 1-yard touchdown run and a 23–3 lead. The Jets' final score came after a 13-play drive that ate up 8:27, capped by Nugent's 40-yard field goal, his fourth of the game. Houston closed the scoring when Carr found Johnson in the end zone, and then completed a two-point conversion pass to Wali Lundy
.
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4th Quarter
's 24-yard field goal. On the next possession, Bryan Thomas sacked Brett Favre
, causing a fumble while Dewayne Robertson
recovered for the Jets. Out of a no-huddle offense, Pennington quickly engineered a scoring drive, a 12-yard touchdown pass to Jerricho Cotchery
.
After a Packers punt, Pennington found Chris Baker and Cotchery on long completions to set up Cedric Houston
's 3-yard touchdown run for a 17–0 Jets lead. Dave Rayner
would miss a 40-yard field goal wide right for Green Bay, and the Jets drove to another score, this time a 1-yard touchdown run by Houston. Favre would then get intercepted by Andre Dyson
, and the Jets would get fortunate on the next drive, surviving a Laveranues Coles
fumble that Cotchery recovered, and Baker had a couple of key grabs on the drive, including a 1-yard touchdown catch with 13 seconds to play in the half for a dominating 31–0 lead.
Out of the gate in the second half, Green Bay resorted to a rushing game, and the first drive worked, with Rayner kicking a 34-yard field goal. Pennington then got intercepted by Charles Woodson
. Green Bay could not convert a 4th-and-1 from the New York 33-yard line, but Pennington threw another pick, this time to Patrick Dendy
. Green Bay made Pennington pay this time, as Favre found Donald Driver
for a 20-yard touchdown to cut the lead to 31–10. Green Bay then recovered the ensuing onside kick, and the Packers had all the momentum. But the Jets forced a punt and then drove to a touchdown, with Houston picking up a big run and Leon Washington
finishing the drive with a 20-yard touchdown run. That effectively ended the game.
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3rd Quarter
4th Quarter
broke through a hole and ran 57 yards to the end zone. Justin Miller put the Jets in good field position with the ensuing kickoff return, and after Chad Pennington
found Laveranues Coles
on a long completion, he found him on a 10-yard pass for a touchdown, knotting the game at 7. On the next drive, Anthony Thomas
fumbled for Buffalo and Miller recovered. Mike Nugent
would knock in a 30-yard field goal to give the Jets the lead.
With 4:59 left in the half, J.P. Losman
found Lee Evans on a deep pass downfield that went for a 77-yard touchdown. On the first play after the two-minute warning, Pennington was intercepted by Nate Clements
, who returned it 42 yards for a score. Nugent would add a 38-yard field goal right before halftime, and the Jets trailed 21–13 at halftime. The defenses held firm for a majority of the third quarter, before Losman found Robert Royal
on a 6-yard touchdown pass. Rian Lindell
's 34-yard field goal with 8:04 remaining capped the scoring.
2nd Quarter
3rd Quarter
4th Quarter
was sacked by Nick Harris
, and E.J. Henderson recovered. Three plays later, Brad Johnson
tossed a 30-yard touchdown pass to Travis Taylor, and the Jets trailed 7–0 two minutes into the game. The Jets immediately responded, with Brad Smith making a key grab on the drive that ended with Cedric Houston
's 6-yard touchdown run. On the next Jets' drive, Mike Nugent
was ready to attempt a 37-yard field goal, but holder Ben Graham botched the snap, and the Jets could not score. Nugent would make a 25-yard field goal early in the second quarter to give the Jets a 10–7 lead.
Pennington found Jerricho Cotchery
and Laveranues Coles
for big completions on the drive that ended with Coles grabbing a 21-yard touchdown pass from Pennington. Nugent would make a 52-yard field goal for a 20–7 lead before Ryan Longwell
missed a 49-yard field goal wide right for Minnesota, giving the Jets prime field position, and Nugent made a 45-yard field goal as time expired for a 23–7 halftime lead. With a large lead, the Jets controlled the clock in the second half, going on a nearly eight-minute drive that ended with a 20-yard field goal from Nugent, his fourth of the game and the final Jets score.
Johnson was pulled at the beginning of the fourth quarter for backup Tarvaris Jackson
, and Jackson led Minnesota on a scoring drive, finding Troy Williamson
on two long passes before connecting with Mewelde Moore
on a 35-yard touchdown. Both the two-point conversion and ensuing onside kick failed, but Pennington was intercepted by Harris. Jackson led the Vikings to the New York 14-yard line with two minutes to go, but David Barrett intercepted Jackson, effectively ending the game.
2nd Quarter
3rd Quarter
4th Quarter
, the Jets, due to losses by Jacksonville and Cincinnati, controlled their own playoff destiny with two victories.
The game was played in a driving rainstorm as both teams struggled to move the ball early. With 49 seconds remaining in the first quarter, Mike Nugent
was ready to attempt a 34-yard field goal, but holder Ben Graham could not handle the snap in the slippery conditions, and the Jets were denied. It was the second straight week Graham had flubbed a snap, but this one could be blamed on the wet conditions. The two teams would trade punts for the rest of the half.
In the third quarter, Dolphins coach Nick Saban
inserted backup quarterback Cleo Lemon
into the game, replacing an ineffective Joey Harrington
. Finally, the Jets went on a drive with 6:15 left in the third quarter, with Chad Pennington
scrambling for 15 yards and moving into the Dolphins' red zone when Yeremiah Bell
was flagged for pass interference. Nugent knocked in a 22-yard field goal for the first points of the game. But Lemon rallied Miami, completing two long passes to Randy McMichael
and Ronnie Brown
picking up a long run before Lemon tossed a 7-yard touchdown pass to McMichael, and the Dolphins led 7–3 with 13:26 left in the game.
Pennington showed poise in leading the Jets back to take the lead, completing key passes to Brad Smith and Leon Washington
before finding Cotchery on a 31-yard completion to the Miami 1-yard line, but the Jets challenged, saying that Cotchery was brought down after he broke the plane of the end zone, and the referee agreed, giving the Jets a 10–7 lead with 8:04 remaining in the game. Miami was then forced to punt, but caught a break when Donnie Jones
' kick bounced off the elbow of Jets linebacker Brad Kassell
, and long snapper John Denney
recovered at the Jets' 42-yard line. Lemon led Miami downfield, completing key passes to Derek Hagan
and Sammy Morris
before Mare tied the game with a 25-yard field goal.
With 2:09 to play, the Jets' biggest play of the season took place. Pennington flipped a short screen pass to Washington, who found a hole and scampered 64 yards down to the Miami 16-yard line. After three runs by Kevan Barlow, Nugent kicked a 30-yard field goal with 10 seconds to play, and the Jets had their biggest win of the year.
4th Quarter
for a first down, but David Barrett forced a fumble and Hank Poteat
recovered. Brad Smith had a key run on the next drive, and Chad Pennington
then tossed a 1-yard touchdown pass to Chris Baker
. Oakland later went on a drive to the Jets' 10-yard line, but on third down, Kerry Rhodes
sacked Brooks, forcing Oakland to settle for a Sebastian Janikowski
field goal. Pennington led the Jets on a key score during a "two-minute drill," bringing the Jets into position for a Mike Nugent
35-yard field goal and a 10–3 halftime lead.
Pennington would find Laveranues Coles
, Leon Washington
, and Baker on long gains on the first drive of the second half before Nugent kicked a 22-yard field goal. The ensuing kickoff was returned 92 yards by Chris Carr to the Jets' 1-yard line, but the play was negated by a holding penalty on Jarrett Cooper. The Jets stopped Brooks on a 4th-and-inches on the drive, and effectively iced the game and a playoff spot when Leon Washington
scored on a 15-yard touchdown run around end. On the next Oakland drive, Eric Barton
sacked Brooks, forcing a fumble, and Bobby Hamilton
recovered. Nugent's 35-yard field goal capped the scoring. When the Denver Broncos
lost at home to the San Francisco 49ers
, the Jets secured the top wild-card berth and a date in New England in the wild-card round of the playoffs.
2nd Quarter
3rd Quarter
4th Quarter
, this time Brady opened the game with a no-huddle offense, quickly scoring a touchdown on their opening drive. The Jets eventually went ahead, 10–7, on a 77-yard scamper on a short pass from Pennington to Jerricho Cotchery
, but the Patriots responded with a field goal, and then a nearly seven-minute drive to close the first half with a touchdown, putting them ahead, 17–10.
In the second half, the Jets and Patriots each exchanged field goals, keeping the differential at seven. Arguably the biggest play of the game came when Jets quarterback Chad Pennington
attempted a screen pass to Jerricho Cotchery
. The pass was tipped and the ball fell to the ground, but because Pennington had made the pass slightly behind him, it was considered a lateral, and thus a fumbled ball. New England defensive tackle Vince Wilfork
picked up the ball and ran it 35 yards to the Jets' 15-yard line, ending any momentum the Jets had. The Patriots were able to convert on the turnover, and made it a ten-point game going into the fourth quarter.
In the fourth, the Jets again pulled to within seven points, but the Patriots again marched down the field, eating more than six minutes off the clock. The drive culminated in a seven-yard touchdown pass to running back Kevin Faulk
. The final nail in the coffin for the Jets was an interception by Asante Samuel
, which was returned for a touchdown with less than five minutes to play. After the game, Patriots coach Bill Belichick
and Jets coach Eric Mangini
, who were not on good terms during this season, embraced in the middle of the field.
2nd Quarter
3rd Quarter
4th Quarter
2006 NFL season
The 2006 NFL season was the 87th regular season of the National Football League.Regular season play was held from September 7 to December 31, 2006...
New York Jets
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
season began with the team trying to improve on their 4–12 record in 2005
2005 NFL season
The 2005 NFL season was the 86th regular season of the National Football League.With the New England Patriots as the defending league champions, regular season play was held from September 8, 2005 to January 1, 2006...
. The season marked the first for rookie head coach Eric Mangini
Eric Mangini
Eric Mangini is the former head coach of the Cleveland Browns and New York Jets of the National Football League and current NFL analyst for ESPN.-College:...
, who replaced Herman Edwards
Herman Edwards
Herman "Herm" Edwards, Jr. is an American football analyst who most recently coached in the National Football League for the Kansas City Chiefs. He was fired from this position on January 23, 2009. Since then, he has been hired as a football analyst for ESPN...
after the latter left the Jets to coach the Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
. Although expectations were low for the team, the Jets managed to go 10–6, including winning five of their final six games, and clinched the fifth seed in the playoffs
NFL playoffs, 2006-07
The National Football League playoffs for the 2006 season began on January 6, 2007 and led up to Super Bowl XLI on February 4, 2007 at Dolphin Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.-AFC: Indianapolis Colts 23, Kansas City Chiefs 8:...
. They fell in the wild card round to the division rival New England Patriots
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
by a score of 37–16.
Coaching changes
Head coach Herman EdwardsHerman Edwards
Herman "Herm" Edwards, Jr. is an American football analyst who most recently coached in the National Football League for the Kansas City Chiefs. He was fired from this position on January 23, 2009. Since then, he has been hired as a football analyst for ESPN...
left the Jets on January 8, when he was announced as the successor to coach Dick Vermeil
Dick Vermeil
Richard Albert "Dick" Vermeil is a former American head coach for the National Football League's Philadelphia Eagles , St. Louis Rams and Kansas City Chiefs...
for the Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
, despite Edwards' insistence during the season that he would finish the remainder of his contract with the Jets. The Jets received a fourth-round pick in the 2006 NFL Draft
2006 NFL Draft
The 2006 National Football League Draft, the 71st in league history, took place in New York City at Radio City Music Hall on April 29 and April 30, 2006. For the 27th consecutive year, the draft was telecast on ESPN and ESPN2, with additional coverage offered by ESPNU and, for the first time, by...
from the Chiefs for the right to negotiate with Edwards, which was roundly criticized as unsubstantial for the loss of a head coach. On January 17, the Jets announced that New England Patriots
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
defensive coordinator
Defensive coordinator
A defensive coordinator typically refers to a coach on a gridiron football team who is in charge of the defense. Generally, along with his offensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach...
Eric Mangini
Eric Mangini
Eric Mangini is the former head coach of the Cleveland Browns and New York Jets of the National Football League and current NFL analyst for ESPN.-College:...
had been signed as head coach. Mangini became the youngest head coach in the NFL, turning 35 on January 19. Mangini's first order of business was to reorganize the coaching staff. Offensive coordinator
Offensive coordinator
An offensive coordinator is a member of the coaching staff of a gridiron football team who is in charge of the offense. Generally, along with his defensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach...
Mike Heimerdinger
Mike Heimerdinger
Michael "Mike" Heimerdinger was a football coach in the National Football League.-Career:Heimerdinger was most recently the offensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans, a position he had served in from 2000-2004 and again from 2008-2010...
and defensive coordinator Donnie Henderson
Donnie Henderson
Donnie Henderson is an American football coach. He is currently the Defensive Backs Coach for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League.-Biography:...
were both released from the Jets staff. Special Teams Coordinator Mike Westoff was retained. A full staff was announced on February 20. Linebackers coach Bob Sutton
Bob Sutton
-External links:*...
was named defensive coordinator and the team signed Jim Herrmann
Jim Herrmann
Jim Herrmann is an American football coach. He is currently the linebackers coach for the New York Giants of the National Football League.-College coaching career:...
to replace Sutton as the linebackers coach. Herrmann was the defensive coordinator at the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
for twenty years before arriving in New York.
General Manager Terry Bradway announced that he was stepping down as Jets GM on February 7. Assistant GM Mike Tannenbaum was named the new GM on the same day. Bradway continues to be employed by the Jets organization as a scouting consultant.
Player transactions
The Jets moved quickly to get under the salary cap as they were over by $25 million. On February 22, tackle Jason FabiniJason Fabini
Jason T. Fabini is an American football offensive lineman who is currently a free agent in the National Football League. He was originally drafted by the New York Jets in the fourth round of the 1998 NFL Draft...
, quarterback Jay Fiedler
Jay Fiedler
Jay Brian Fiedler is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League.-Early life and high school years:Fiedler was born to a Jewish family on Long Island in Oceanside, New York...
, linebacker Barry Gardner
Barry Gardner
Barry Allan Gardner is an American football linebacker formerly for the New England Patriots of the National Football League. He is currently a free agent....
, defensive tackle Lance Legree
Lance Legree
Lance Legree is a fomer American football defensive tackle in the National Football League. He was signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2001. He played college football at Notre Dame.-External links:*...
, fullback Jerald Sowell
Jerald Sowell
Jerald Monye Sowell is an American Football fullback. He played his college ball at Tulane.-College years and early NFL career:...
and wide receiver Harry Williams were placed on waivers. The team chose not to tender an offer to Mark Brown
Mark Brown (American football)
Mark Brown is a former American football linebacker. Brown played college football for Auburn University, before signing with the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent in 2003...
. Cornerback Ty Law
Ty Law
Tajuan "Ty" Law is a retired football cornerback of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New England Patriots 23rd overall in the 1995 NFL Draft. He played college football at Michigan....
also parted ways with the Jets, as the organization decided not to exercise the contract option to extend his contract through 2008. Running back Curtis Martin
Curtis Martin
Curtis James Martin, Jr. is a former American football running back. He is an alumnus of Taylor Allderdice High School in Pittsburgh and the University of Pittsburgh...
agreed to an undisclosed restructured contract.
Pro Bowl
Pro Bowl
In professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League . Since the merger with the rival American Football League in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference against those...
Center
Center (American football)
Center is a position in American football and Canadian football . The center is the innermost lineman of the offensive line on a football team's offense...
Kevin Mawae
Kevin Mawae
Kevin James Mawae is a former American National Football League center. During a 16-year football career, he played for the Seattle Seahawks , New York Jets , and the Tennessee Titans . Mawae was a four-year starter for LSU and was selected second-team All-SEC by Associated Press and SEC coaches...
was released on March 5. Mawae disagreed with the assertion that his release was for salary cap reasons, as his cut would only be a savings of $1.1 million, and felt that it was simply a change in direction for the team.
The Jets also restructured the contract of quarterback Chad Pennington. Pennington's contract was cut from a base salary of $6 million to $3 million. Pennington will be able to make back the $3 million through incentives. He also had to forfeit his $3 million roster bonus that was due at the start of free agency.
John Abraham
John Abraham (football player)
John Antonio Abraham is an American football defensive end in the National Football League currently playing for the Atlanta Falcons. He has also played for the New York Jets.- Early years:Abraham was born in Timmonsville, South Carolina...
was designated the team's franchise player. He would later be traded to the Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
involving a 3-way trade between the Jets, Falcons, and the Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. The Falcons traded their first-round draft pick (#15) to the Broncos for the Broncos first (#29), third (#93) and 2008 fourth-round pick. The Falcons traded the #29 overall pick to the Jets in exchange for Abraham.
Patrick Ramsey
Patrick Ramsey
Patrick Allen Ramsey is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Washington Redskins 32nd overall in the 2002 NFL Draft...
was traded to the Jets on March 17 for their sixth-round draft pick. Tight end Chris Baker
Chris Baker (football player)
Chris Baker is a former American football tight end. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the third round of the 2002 NFL Draft. He played college football at Michigan State.-New York Jets:...
, who became an unrestricted free agent in the offseason, re-signed with the Jets, his hometown team, on March 24. Andre Dyson
Andre Dyson
Andre Dyson is a former American football cornerback. He was originally drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He played college football at Utah. Currently, he coaches cornerbacks at Weber State, in Ogden, Utah.He is the younger brother of former NFL wide...
was signed by the Jets on March 29 for a five-year, $11.5 million deal, including $3 million in signing and roster bonuses.
Other notable signings include linebackers Matt Chatham
Matt Chatham
Matt Chatham is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He played college football at South Dakota.-High school years:...
, a former New England Patriot, ex-Tennessee Titan Brad Kassell
Brad Kassell
Robert Bradley Kassell is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent in 2002...
, ex-Pittsburgh Steeler defensive end Kimo von Oelhoffen
Kimo von Oelhoffen
Kimo K. von Oelhoffen is a retired American football defensive tackle. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the sixth round of the 1994 NFL Draft. He played college football at Boise State....
, another ex-Patriot wide receiver, Tim Dwight
Tim Dwight
Timothy Deutch Dwight, Jr. is an American football wide receiver and return specialist who is currently a free agent. He was originally drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth round of the 1998 NFL Draft...
, ex-Denver Bronco defensive tackle Monsanto Pope
Monsanto Pope
Monsanto Leshawn Pope is a former American football defensive tackle in the National Football League. He was selected by the Denver Broncos in the seventh round in the 2002 NFL Draft out of the University of Virginia...
, ex-Buffalo Bill center Trey Teague
Trey Teague
Fred Everette Teague III or Trey Teague is an American football center who is currently a free agent in the National Football League, unlikely to play at the age of 36...
, and ex-Arizona Cardinal Offensive Tackle Anthony Clement
Anthony Clement
Anthony George Clement is an American football offensive tackle for the New England Patriots of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the second round of the 1998 NFL Draft...
.
The club also signed former longtime Jets Victor Green
Victor Green
Victor Bernard Green is a former American football safety in the National Football League. He was signed by the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent in 1993...
and Richie Anderson
Richie Anderson
Richard Darnoll Anderson is a former American football Fullback who played 13 seasons in the National Football League for the New York Jets from 1994–2002 and the Dallas Cowboys from 2003-2004. He was selected to play in the Pro Bowl in 2001...
. Both intend to retire in a Jets uniform. Kevan Barlow
Kevan Barlow
Kevan C. Barlow is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the third round of the 2001 NFL Draft...
was acquired from the San Francisco 49ers for an undisclosed draft pick in the 2007 NFL Draft
2007 NFL Draft
The 2007 National Football League Draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 28 and April 29, 2007. The draft was televised for the 28th consecutive year on ESPN and ESPN2. The NFL Network also broadcast coverage of the event, its second year doing so...
, after the Jets' trade of defensive back Derrick Strait
Derrick Strait
Derrick Strait is a professional American football cornerback who is currently a free agent. Strait was originally drafted by the New York Jets in the third round of the 2004 NFL Draft...
to the Cleveland Browns for running back Lee Suggs
Lee Suggs
Lee Ernest Suggs, Jr. is a former American football running back in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the fourth round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college football at Virginia Tech...
on August 14 fell through because Suggs failed his physical.
On the eve of the Jets pre-season finale, they sent quarterback Brooks Bollinger to the Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
for C.J. Mosley. Backup tight end Doug Jolley was also traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West...
for an undisclosed draft pick. The team also picked up Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
tight end Sean Ryan
Sean Ryan (football player)
Sean P. Ryan born March 27, 1980) is an American football tight end in the National Football League, and is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the fifth round of the 2004 NFL Draft. He played college football at Boston College, and at St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute...
for an undisclosed draft pick and claimed former Texas standout Sloan Thomas
Sloan Thomas
Sloan Thomas is a former American football wide receiver from the National Football League. He went to Klein High School in Klein, Texas. He played in 46 games for the University of Texas, starting 20 contests...
from the Titans
Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter...
.
2006 NFL Draft
As a result of their 4–12 2005 record, the Jets were granted the fourth pick in the first round of the NFL Draft2006 NFL Draft
The 2006 National Football League Draft, the 71st in league history, took place in New York City at Radio City Music Hall on April 29 and April 30, 2006. For the 27th consecutive year, the draft was telecast on ESPN and ESPN2, with additional coverage offered by ESPNU and, for the first time, by...
, which was held on April 29 and April 30. When the Houston Texans
Houston Texans
The Houston Texans are a professional American football team based in Houston, Texas. The team is currently a member of the Southern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
announced they would take defensive end
Defensive end
Defensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years...
Mario Williams
Mario Williams
Mario Jerrel Williams is an American football defensive end for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. He was selected first overall by the Texans in the 2006 NFL Draft...
of North Carolina State
North Carolina State University
North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a public, coeducational, extensive research university located in Raleigh, North Carolina, United States. Commonly known as NC State, the university is part of the University of North Carolina system and is a land, sea, and space grant institution...
instead of Heisman Trophy
Heisman Trophy
The Heisman Memorial Trophy Award , is awarded annually to the player deemed the most outstanding player in collegiate football. It was created in 1935 as the Downtown Athletic Club trophy and renamed in 1936 following the death of the Club's athletic director, John Heisman The Heisman Memorial...
-winning running back
Running back
A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
Reggie Bush
Reggie Bush
Reginald Alfred "Reggie" Bush II is an American football running back for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
of USC
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university...
, some observers felt the Jets should trade up to the second pick and draft him. However, it appeared that making such a trade would have been too prohibitive for the team, and Bush would be drafted second by the New Orleans Saints
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
. Instead, the Jets decided to focus on their offensive line with the draft and took offensive tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson
D'Brickashaw Ferguson
-New York Jets:Ferguson finally reached the NFL when the New York Jets drafted him with the 4th pick overall after Vince Young was chosen by the Titans. On July 26, 2006, Ferguson signed a five-year deal with the Jets that was similar to the $35 million deal that 2005’s No. 4 pick, Cedric Benson,...
from Virginia
University of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
. With their other first-round pick, they took center
Center (American football)
Center is a position in American football and Canadian football . The center is the innermost lineman of the offensive line on a football team's offense...
Nick Mangold
Nick Mangold
-New York Jets:Replacing Kevin Mawae at center, Mangold had a good rookie season, allowing only 0.5 sacks, committed only 3 penalties and made all the line calls. Mangold was considered to be the best prospect at center in the last 15 years according to NFL draft expert Mike Mayock...
of Ohio State
Ohio State University
The Ohio State University, commonly referred to as Ohio State, is a public research university located in Columbus, Ohio. It was originally founded in 1870 as a land-grant university and is currently the third largest university campus in the United States...
.
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | D'Brickashaw Ferguson D'Brickashaw Ferguson -New York Jets:Ferguson finally reached the NFL when the New York Jets drafted him with the 4th pick overall after Vince Young was chosen by the Titans. On July 26, 2006, Ferguson signed a five-year deal with the Jets that was similar to the $35 million deal that 2005’s No. 4 pick, Cedric Benson,... |
Offensive tackle | Virginia University of Virginia The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson... |
| 29 | Nick Mangold Nick Mangold -New York Jets:Replacing Kevin Mawae at center, Mangold had a good rookie season, allowing only 0.5 sacks, committed only 3 penalties and made all the line calls. Mangold was considered to be the best prospect at center in the last 15 years according to NFL draft expert Mike Mayock... |
Center Center (American football) Center is a position in American football and Canadian football . The center is the innermost lineman of the offensive line on a football team's offense... |
Ohio State Ohio State University The Ohio State University, commonly referred to as Ohio State, is a public research university located in Columbus, Ohio. It was originally founded in 1870 as a land-grant university and is currently the third largest university campus in the United States... |
|
| 2 | 49 | Kellen Clemens Kellen Clemens Kellen Clemens is an American football quarterback who is currently a member of the Houston Texans of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft... |
Quarterback Quarterback Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line... |
Oregon University of Oregon -Colleges and schools:The University of Oregon is organized into eight schools and colleges—six professional schools and colleges, an Arts and Sciences College and an Honors College.- School of Architecture and Allied Arts :... |
| 3 | 76 | Anthony Schlegel Anthony Schlegel Anthony Schlegel is a former American Football linebacker. He was originally drafted by the New York Jets in the third round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at the Ohio State University after transferring from the United States Air Force Academy... |
Linebacker Linebacker A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen... |
Ohio State Ohio State University The Ohio State University, commonly referred to as Ohio State, is a public research university located in Columbus, Ohio. It was originally founded in 1870 as a land-grant university and is currently the third largest university campus in the United States... |
| 97 | Eric Smith Eric Smith (American football) -2006:Smith was selected 97th overall in the 2006 NFL Draft. Smith had been rising on many draft boards in the weeks leading up to the draft as he was praised for his instincts and physicality on the field. The Jets signed Smith to a contract on July 21, 2006.... |
Safety Defensive back In American football and Canadian football, defensive backs are the players on the defensive team who take positions somewhat back from the line of scrimmage; they are distinguished from the defensive line players and linebackers, who take positions directly behind or close to the line of... |
Michigan State Michigan State University Michigan State University is a public research university in East Lansing, Michigan, USA. Founded in 1855, it was the pioneer land-grant institution and served as a model for future land-grant colleges in the United States under the 1862 Morrill Act.MSU pioneered the studies of packaging,... |
|
| 4 | 103 | Brad Smith Brad Smith (American football) Bradley "Brad" Alexander Smith is an American football quarterback, running back, wide receiver and return specialist for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. He was drafted in the 4th round of the 2006 NFL Draft by the New York Jets. He played college football at Missouri.-High... |
Wide receiver Wide receiver A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible... |
Missouri University of Missouri The University of Missouri System is a state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, five research and technology parks, and a publishing press. More than 64,000 students are currently enrolled at its four campuses... |
| 117 | Leon Washington Leon Washington Leon Washington is an American football running back for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida State. He is married to Charity Washington with whom he has a son... |
Running back Running back A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running... |
Florida State Florida State University The Florida State University is a space-grant and sea-grant public university located in Tallahassee, Florida, United States. It is a comprehensive doctoral research university with medical programs and significant research activity as determined by the Carnegie Foundation... |
|
| 5 | 150 | Jason Pociask Jason Pociask Jason Pociask [] is a former American football fullback and tight end. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the fifth round of the 2006 NFL Draft... |
Tight end Tight end The tight end is a position in American football on the offense. The tight end is often seen as a hybrid position with the characteristics and roles of both an offensive lineman and a wide receiver. Like offensive linemen, they are usually lined up on the offensive line and are large enough to be... |
Wisconsin University of Wisconsin–Madison The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1848, UW–Madison is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. It became a land-grant institution in 1866... |
| 6 | 189 | Drew Coleman Drew Coleman Drew A. Coleman is an American football cornerback who currently plays for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League. Coleman was selected by the New York Jets in the sixth round of the 2006 NFL Draft... |
Cornerback Cornerback A cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position... |
TCU Texas Christian University Texas Christian University is a private, coeducational university located in Fort Worth, Texas, United States and founded in 1873. TCU is affiliated with, but not governed by, the Disciples of Christ... |
| 7 | 220 | Titus Adams Titus Adams Titus Adams is an American football defensive end for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the seventh round of the 2006 NFL Draft... |
Defensive tackle | Nebraska |
Preseason
| Date | Opponent | Result | Game site | NFL Recap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 11, 2006 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers Tampa Bay Buccaneers The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West... |
L 16–3 | Raymond James Stadium Raymond James Stadium Raymond James Stadium, also known as the "Ray Jay", is a multi-purpose football stadium located in Tampa, Florida. It is home to the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers as well as the NCAA's South Florida Bulls football team. The stadium seats 65,857 , and it is expandable to 75,000 for special events... |
Recap |
| August 19, 2006 | Washington Redskins Washington Redskins The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,... |
W 27–14 | FedEx Field | Recap |
| August 25, 2006 | New York Giants New York Giants The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... |
L 13–7 | The Meadowlands Giants Stadium Giants Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium, located in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA, in the Meadowlands Sports Complex. Maximum seating capacity was 80,242. The building itself was 230.5 m long, 180.5 m wide and 44 m high from service level to the top of the seating bowl and 54 m high to... |
Recap |
| September 1, 2006 | Philadelphia Eagles Philadelphia Eagles The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... |
W 20–17 | The Meadowlands Giants Stadium Giants Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium, located in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA, in the Meadowlands Sports Complex. Maximum seating capacity was 80,242. The building itself was 230.5 m long, 180.5 m wide and 44 m high from service level to the top of the seating bowl and 54 m high to... |
Recap |
Schedule
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Game site | NFL Recap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2006-09-10 | Tennessee Titans Tennessee Titans The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter... |
W 23–16 | LP Field LP Field LP Field is a football stadium in Nashville, Tennessee, United States, owned by the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County.... |
Recap |
| 2 | 2006-09-17 | New England Patriots New England Patriots The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National... |
L 24–17 | The Meadowlands Giants Stadium Giants Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium, located in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA, in the Meadowlands Sports Complex. Maximum seating capacity was 80,242. The building itself was 230.5 m long, 180.5 m wide and 44 m high from service level to the top of the seating bowl and 54 m high to... |
Recap |
| 3 | 2006-09-24 | Buffalo Bills Buffalo Bills The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
W 28–20 | Ralph Wilson Stadium Ralph Wilson Stadium Ralph Wilson Stadium is a football stadium, located in the town of Orchard Park, a suburb of Buffalo, New York. It is the home for the Buffalo Bills, of the NFL... |
Recap |
| 4 | 2006-10-01 | Indianapolis Colts Indianapolis Colts The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League .... |
L 31–28 | The Meadowlands Giants Stadium Giants Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium, located in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA, in the Meadowlands Sports Complex. Maximum seating capacity was 80,242. The building itself was 230.5 m long, 180.5 m wide and 44 m high from service level to the top of the seating bowl and 54 m high to... |
Recap |
| 5 | 2006-10-08 | Jacksonville Jaguars Jacksonville Jaguars The Jacksonville Jaguars are a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
L 41–0 | Alltel Stadium | Recap |
| 6 | 2006-10-15 | Miami Dolphins Miami Dolphins The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
W 20–17 | The Meadowlands Giants Stadium Giants Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium, located in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA, in the Meadowlands Sports Complex. Maximum seating capacity was 80,242. The building itself was 230.5 m long, 180.5 m wide and 44 m high from service level to the top of the seating bowl and 54 m high to... |
Recap |
| 7 | 2006-10-22 | Detroit Lions Detroit Lions The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and... |
W 31–24 | The Meadowlands Giants Stadium Giants Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium, located in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA, in the Meadowlands Sports Complex. Maximum seating capacity was 80,242. The building itself was 230.5 m long, 180.5 m wide and 44 m high from service level to the top of the seating bowl and 54 m high to... |
Recap |
| 8 | 2006-10-29 | Cleveland Browns Cleveland Browns The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
L 20–13 | Cleveland Browns Stadium Cleveland Browns Stadium -See also:* List of current National Football League stadiums* Chronology of home stadiums for current National Football League teams* List of American football stadiums by capacity* List of U.S. stadiums by capacity* List of North American stadiums by capacity... |
Recap |
| 9 | Bye | ||||
| 10 | 2006-11-12 | New England Patriots New England Patriots The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National... |
W 17–14 | Gillette Stadium Gillette Stadium Gillette Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium located in Foxborough, Massachusetts, 21 miles southwest of downtown Boston and from downtown Providence, Rhode Island. It serves as the home stadium and administrative offices for the New England Patriots football team and the New England Revolution... |
Recap |
| 11 | 2006-11-19 | Chicago Bears Chicago Bears The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... |
L 10–0 | The Meadowlands Giants Stadium Giants Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium, located in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA, in the Meadowlands Sports Complex. Maximum seating capacity was 80,242. The building itself was 230.5 m long, 180.5 m wide and 44 m high from service level to the top of the seating bowl and 54 m high to... |
Recap |
| 12 | 2006-11-26 | Houston Texans Houston Texans The Houston Texans are a professional American football team based in Houston, Texas. The team is currently a member of the Southern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
W 26–11 | The Meadowlands Giants Stadium Giants Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium, located in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA, in the Meadowlands Sports Complex. Maximum seating capacity was 80,242. The building itself was 230.5 m long, 180.5 m wide and 44 m high from service level to the top of the seating bowl and 54 m high to... |
Recap |
| 13 | 2006-12-03 | Green Bay Packers Green Bay Packers The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions... |
W 38–10 | Lambeau Field Lambeau Field Lambeau Field is an outdoor football stadium in Green Bay, Wisconsin, the home of the NFL's Green Bay Packers. Opened in 1957 as City Stadium, it replaced the original City Stadium as the Packers' home field... |
Recap |
| 14 | 2006-12-10 | Buffalo Bills Buffalo Bills The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
L 31–13 | The Meadowlands Giants Stadium Giants Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium, located in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA, in the Meadowlands Sports Complex. Maximum seating capacity was 80,242. The building itself was 230.5 m long, 180.5 m wide and 44 m high from service level to the top of the seating bowl and 54 m high to... |
Recap |
| 15 | 2006-12-17 | Minnesota Vikings Minnesota Vikings The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960... |
W 26–13 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome The Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, commonly called the Metrodome, is a domed sports stadium in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. Opened in 1982, it replaced Metropolitan Stadium, which was on the current site of the Mall of America in Bloomington and Memorial Stadium on the University... |
Recap |
| 16 | 2006-12-25 | Miami Dolphins Miami Dolphins The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
W 13–10 | Dolphin Stadium Dolphin Stadium Sun Life Stadium is an American football stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, a suburb of Miami. It is the home stadium of the Miami Dolphins National Football League team, and the University of Miami Hurricanes football team. It also hosts the Orange Bowl, an annual college football bowl game. It... |
Recap |
| 17 | 2006-12-31 | Oakland Raiders Oakland Raiders The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
W 23–3 | The Meadowlands Giants Stadium Giants Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium, located in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA, in the Meadowlands Sports Complex. Maximum seating capacity was 80,242. The building itself was 230.5 m long, 180.5 m wide and 44 m high from service level to the top of the seating bowl and 54 m high to... |
Recap |
Week 1: at Tennessee Titans
Game Summary
After the teams traded punts on the first four possessions of the game, Pennington led the Jets on a 9-play, 76-yard drive, aided by a pass-interference call on Titans linebacker Peter SirmonPeter Sirmon
Peter Anton Sirmon is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League. He was drafted in the 2000 NFL Draft by the Tennessee Titans and played for them for his entire career from 2000 to 2006...
that negated an interception by defensive back Reynaldo Hill
Reynaldo Hill
Reynaldo Romel Hill is a American college and professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League for four seasons. Hill played college football for the University of Florida, and thereafter, he played professionally for the Tennessee Titans of the NFL...
, capped off by a 1-yard touchdown run from Kevan Barlow
Kevan Barlow
Kevan C. Barlow is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the third round of the 2001 NFL Draft...
.
After another Titans punt, Tennessee head coach Jeff Fisher
Jeff Fisher
Jeffrey Michael "Jeff" Fisher is the former head coach of the Tennessee Titans of the NFL. He has a 146-120 career record as an NFL head coach.-Early life:...
grew impatient with starting quarterback Kerry Collins
Kerry Collins
Kerry Michael Collins is an American football quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Carolina Panthers with the fifth overall pick of the 1995 NFL Draft, the first choice in the franchise's history...
, pulling him in favor of rookie quarterback Vince Young
Vince Young
Vincent Paul Young, Jr. , nicknamed "VY", is an American football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League . He spent the first five seasons of his career with the Tennessee Titans. Young was the third overall draft pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college...
. Young drove the Titans to the Jets' 32-yard line, but underthrew receiver David Givens
David Givens
David Lamar Givens is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the seventh round of the 2002 NFL Draft...
on the next play, and Andre Dyson
Andre Dyson
Andre Dyson is a former American football cornerback. He was originally drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He played college football at Utah. Currently, he coaches cornerbacks at Weber State, in Ogden, Utah.He is the younger brother of former NFL wide...
intercepted. Pennington drove the Jets into the Titans' red zone, completing a 10-yard pass to Sean Ryan
Sean Ryan (football player)
Sean P. Ryan born March 27, 1980) is an American football tight end in the National Football League, and is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the fifth round of the 2004 NFL Draft. He played college football at Boston College, and at St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute...
, but Ryan was hit hard by Keith Bulluck
Keith Bulluck
Keith J. Bulluck is an American Football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was drafted 30th overall by the Tennessee Titans in the 2000 NFL Draft. He played college football at Syracuse....
and fumbled, with Tennessee recovering. However, two plays later, the Jets would get the ball right back, as Collins, inserted back into the game, was intercepted by Dyson, his second of the quarter. Setting up shop at the Titans' 36-yard line, the Jets would capitalize, as Pennington threw an 8-yard touchdown pass to Jerricho Cotchery
Jerricho Cotchery
Cotchery was selected by the New York Jets in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL draft.-New York Jets:In 2004, Cotchery caught 6 passes for 60 yards in 12 games as the team's 5th receiver...
with 18 seconds left in the first half, but kicker Mike Nugent
Mike Nugent
Mike Nugent is an American football placekicker for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
shanked the extra-point attempt wide right to leave the Jets with a 13–0 halftime lead.
Tennessee's woes in the passing game continued as soon as the second half started, with Collins getting intercepted again, this time by Kerry Rhodes
Kerry Rhodes
Kerry Rhodes is an American football safety for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the fourth round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
, who returned the ball 25 yards to the Tennessee 22. Nugent nailed an 18-yard field goal as the drive stalled at the one-yard line. On the Jets' next possession, Pennington drove to the red zone again, but Nugent missed a 34-yard field goal attempt wide right. On the Jets' next possession, Pennington appeared to find Cotchery on a 2-yard touchdown pass, but the touchdown was nullified by a holding penalty on D'Brickashaw Ferguson
D'Brickashaw Ferguson
-New York Jets:Ferguson finally reached the NFL when the New York Jets drafted him with the 4th pick overall after Vince Young was chosen by the Titans. On July 26, 2006, Ferguson signed a five-year deal with the Jets that was similar to the $35 million deal that 2005’s No. 4 pick, Cedric Benson,...
. When the drive stalled, Nugent missed another field goal, hitting the right upright from 30 yards out.
Tennessee finally capitalized, with Travis Henry
Travis Henry
Travis Deion Henry is a former American football running back for the Buffalo Bills, Tennessee Titans and Denver Broncos. He was drafted by the Bills in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft...
scoring on a 3-yard touchdown run with 10:48 left in the game. Tennessee went for two, and brought in Young. Young's pass intended for Bobby Wade
Bobby Wade
Robert Louis Wade, Jr. is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the fifth round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
was incomplete, but Jets defensive back Derrick Strait
Derrick Strait
Derrick Strait is a professional American football cornerback who is currently a free agent. Strait was originally drafted by the New York Jets in the third round of the 2004 NFL Draft...
was flagged for pass interference, giving the Titans second life. They would take advantage, with Collins handing off to Henry for the conversion. After a trade of punts, the Jets took over on their own 11 with 7:28 to go. On third down, Pennington was sacked by Cortland Finnegan
Cortland Finnegan
Cortland Temujin Finnegan is an American football defensive back for the Tennessee Titans. He played college football for Samford University.-High school career:...
, and Tennessee's Randy Starks
Randy Starks
Randolph "Randy" Starks, Jr. is an American football defensive end for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the third round of the 2004 NFL Draft...
recovered at New York's 1-yard line. Tennessee went for two and converted, with Collins finding Drew Bennett
Drew Bennett
Andrew Russell "Drew" Bennett is a former American football wide receiver of the National Football League. He was signed by the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent in 2001. He played college football at UCLA....
open, and the game was tied, 16–16.
The Jets came right back, first with Justin Miller returning the ensuing kickoff 41 yards, and then Pennington steadily driving downfield, finding Baker on the 12-yard touchdown pass to cap a 7-play, 57-yard drive. The Jets had to hold on because on the next possession, Collins found Bennett on a 26-yard completion moving the ball to midfield, and he then completed long passes to Ben Troupe
Ben Troupe
Benjamin LaShaun Troupe is a former American college and professional football player who was a tight end in the National Football League for five seasons in the early 2000s...
and Wade to move the ball to the Jets' 12-yard line with 1:11 to play. The Jets locked down, and on 4th-and-6 from the Jets' 8-yard line, Collins' pass for Bo Scaife
Bo Scaife
Oliver Edward "Bo" Scaife, III is an American football tight end for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. He was originally drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the sixth round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
was knocked away by Rhodes, ending the game.
Scoring Summary
2nd Quarter- NYJ – BarlowKevan BarlowKevan C. Barlow is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the third round of the 2001 NFL Draft...
1 run (NugentMike NugentMike Nugent is an American football placekicker for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
kick), 13:17. - NYJ – CotcheryJerricho CotcheryCotchery was selected by the New York Jets in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL draft.-New York Jets:In 2004, Cotchery caught 6 passes for 60 yards in 12 games as the team's 5th receiver...
8 pass from PenningtonChad PenningtonJames Chadwick "Chad" Pennington is an American football quarterback who played in the National Football League for ten years. He is currently a football analyst with FOX Sports though he plans to return to playing after recovering from an injury...
(kick failed), :17.
3rd Quarter
- NYJ – FG Nugent 18, 12:47.
4th Quarter
- TEN – HenryTravis HenryTravis Deion Henry is a former American football running back for the Buffalo Bills, Tennessee Titans and Denver Broncos. He was drafted by the Bills in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft...
3 run (Henry run), 10:46. - TEN – Henry 1 run (BennettDrew BennettAndrew Russell "Drew" Bennett is a former American football wide receiver of the National Football League. He was signed by the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent in 2001. He played college football at UCLA....
pass from CollinsKerry CollinsKerry Michael Collins is an American football quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Carolina Panthers with the fifth overall pick of the 1995 NFL Draft, the first choice in the franchise's history...
), 5:58. - NYJ – Baker 12 pass from Pennington (Nugent kick), 2:10.
Week 2: vs. New England Patriots
In the week leading up to the matchup of 1–0 teams, bad blood brewed between the two teams when the Patriots filed tampering charges against the Jets for former wide receiver Deion BranchDeion Branch
Anthony Deion Branch, Jr. is an American football wide receiver for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Patriots in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft. He played college football at Louisville.He has also played for the Seattle Seahawks...
. The Patriots stated that while the Jets had permission to negotiate a contract with Branch, any trade talks were to be solely between the teams. They claimed that because Branch and his representatives had knowledge of what was being offered in a trade, the Patriots' negotiating position was compromised.
Game Summary
After both teams punted on their first possessions, Patriots quarterback Tom BradyTom Brady
Thomas Edward Patrick "Tom" Brady, Jr. is an American football quarterback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . After playing college football at Michigan, Brady was drafted by the Patriots in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft.He has played in four Super Bowls,...
led the Patriots on an 11-play, 82-yard drive, capped by Corey Dillon
Corey Dillon
Corey James Dillon is a former American football running back. He played his ten-season career for the Cincinnati Bengals and the New England Patriots, wearing jersey number 28 for both teams. Dillon played college football the University of Washington where he wore the number 4.-High school...
's 1-yard touchdown run. Following another Jets punt, Brady led New England on an 87-yard drive capped by rookie kicker Stephen Gostkowski
Stephen Gostkowski
Stephen Carroll Gostkowski is a placekicker for the New England Patriots of the National Football League...
's 20-yard field goal and a 10–0 lead. The game turned when Jets punter Ben Graham shanked a 10-yard punt booting from his own 40, giving Brady and the Patriots the ball at midfield with 1:01 to go in the half. Aided by big completions to Troy Brown
Troy Brown
Troy Fitzgerald Brown is a former NFL wide receiver, cornerback and punt returner in the National Football League. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the eighth round of the 1993 NFL Draft. He played college football at Marshall...
(14 yards) and Benjamin Watson
Benjamin Watson
Benjamin Watson is an American football tight end for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New England Patriots 32nd overall in the 2004 NFL draft. He played college football at Georgia.-Early years:Watson attended Northwestern High School in Rock Hill, South...
(23 yards), with 20 seconds to play, Brady found Chad Jackson
Chad Jackson
-New England Patriots:On the first day of the 2006 NFL Draft, the Patriots traded draft picks with the Green Bay Packers to move up sixteen places in the second round to select Jackson, giving up a third-round pick acquired in a trade...
on a 13-yard touchdown pass that appeared to break the Jets' backs.
On the Jets' first drive of the second half, they were faced with a 4th-and-1 from their own 46-yard line. Coach Eric Mangini
Eric Mangini
Eric Mangini is the former head coach of the Cleveland Browns and New York Jets of the National Football League and current NFL analyst for ESPN.-College:...
risked going for it, but running back Kevan Barlow
Kevan Barlow
Kevan C. Barlow is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the third round of the 2001 NFL Draft...
was stopped at the line for no gain. Aided by two costly Jets penalties, a pass-interference call on Victor Hobson
Victor Hobson
Victor Brian Hobson is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the second round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
and a defensive holding call on Erik Coleman
Erik Coleman
Erik Coleman is an American football safety currently playing for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. He was originally drafted by the New York Jets in the fifth round of the 2004 NFL Draft. Went to high school at Lewis & Clark High School in Spokane, Washington...
, New England drove to the Jets' 1-yard line, where rookie running back Laurence Maroney
Laurence Maroney
Laurence Maroney is an American football running back who is currently a free agent in the National Football League. He was drafted by the New England Patriots 21st overall in the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Minnesota.-Early years:Maroney attended Normandy Senior High School in St...
punched the ball in for a 24–0 Patriots lead.
But, the dormant Jets offense finally woke up. On a 3rd-and-13 from their own 29-yard line, Chad Pennington
Chad Pennington
James Chadwick "Chad" Pennington is an American football quarterback who played in the National Football League for ten years. He is currently a football analyst with FOX Sports though he plans to return to playing after recovering from an injury...
completed a deep pass downfield to Jerricho Cotchery
Jerricho Cotchery
Cotchery was selected by the New York Jets in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL draft.-New York Jets:In 2004, Cotchery caught 6 passes for 60 yards in 12 games as the team's 5th receiver...
, who had to backpedal and leap for the ball as Pennington scrambled out of the pocket. He was hit hard by the Patriots' Chad Scott
Chad Scott
Chad Oliver Scott was an American football cornerback who retired in 2008. He was a surprise number 1 draft choice for the Pittsburgh Steelers, who picked him 24th overall in the 1997 NFL Draft...
, and fell on top of the Patriots' Eugene Wilson. Hearing no whistle, he sprang up and ran untouched to the end zone. New England's challenge of the touchdown was upheld, as only Cotchery's hand hit the ground. Fired up by the miracle touchdown, Brady was intercepted by David Barrett, and on the ensuing possession, Pennington found Laveranues Coles
Laveranues Coles
Laveranues Leon Coles is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the third round of the 2000 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida State University....
on a slant pattern across the middle. Coles juked, causing Eugene Wilson to slip, and then outran the Patriots to the end zone to make it a 24–14 game with 50 seconds left in the third quarter.
The Jets' rejuvenated defense caused Brady to fumble on New England's next possession, with Kerry Rhodes
Kerry Rhodes
Kerry Rhodes is an American football safety for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the fourth round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
sacking and Bryan Thomas recovering at the Patriots' 49-yard line. The Jets converted the opportunity into a 42-yard field goal from Mike Nugent
Mike Nugent
Mike Nugent is an American football placekicker for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
, and suddenly, the Jets only trailed by a touchdown. But when New England got the ball back with 9:14 to go on their own 30, they steadily wore the Jets down. Brady converted three third downs as the Patriots drove to the Jets' 12-yard line with 1:11 to go, and a chip-shot field goal away from icing the game. But kicker Gostkowski was blocked by Jonathan Vilma, who returned the ball to the Jets' 9-yard line. With no timeouts and 1:05 to go, the Jets moved the ball to their own 45-yard line, but Pennington's heave with 15 seconds left was tipped and intercepted by Tedy Bruschi
Tedy Bruschi
Tedy Lacap Bruschi is a former professional American football linebacker. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the third round of the 1996 NFL Draft...
to effectively end the game.
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter- NE – DillonCorey DillonCorey James Dillon is a former American football running back. He played his ten-season career for the Cincinnati Bengals and the New England Patriots, wearing jersey number 28 for both teams. Dillon played college football the University of Washington where he wore the number 4.-High school...
1 run (GostkowskiStephen GostkowskiStephen Carroll Gostkowski is a placekicker for the New England Patriots of the National Football League...
kick), 5:36.
2nd Quarter
- NE – FG Gostkowski 20, 13:15.
- NE – JacksonChad Jackson-New England Patriots:On the first day of the 2006 NFL Draft, the Patriots traded draft picks with the Green Bay Packers to move up sixteen places in the second round to select Jackson, giving up a third-round pick acquired in a trade...
13 pass from BradyTom BradyThomas Edward Patrick "Tom" Brady, Jr. is an American football quarterback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . After playing college football at Michigan, Brady was drafted by the Patriots in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft.He has played in four Super Bowls,...
(Gostkowski kick), :14.
3rd Quarter
- NE – MaroneyLaurence MaroneyLaurence Maroney is an American football running back who is currently a free agent in the National Football League. He was drafted by the New England Patriots 21st overall in the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Minnesota.-Early years:Maroney attended Normandy Senior High School in St...
1 run (Gostkowski kick), 8:57. - NYJ – CotcheryJerricho CotcheryCotchery was selected by the New York Jets in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL draft.-New York Jets:In 2004, Cotchery caught 6 passes for 60 yards in 12 games as the team's 5th receiver...
71 pass from PenningtonChad PenningtonJames Chadwick "Chad" Pennington is an American football quarterback who played in the National Football League for ten years. He is currently a football analyst with FOX Sports though he plans to return to playing after recovering from an injury...
(NugentMike NugentMike Nugent is an American football placekicker for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
kick), 6:15. - NYJ – ColesLaveranues ColesLaveranues Leon Coles is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the third round of the 2000 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida State University....
46 pass from Pennington (Nugent kick), :50.
4th Quarter
- NYJ – FG Nugent 42, 9:20.
Week 3: at Buffalo Bills
Game Summary
On Buffalo's first play, J.P. LosmanJ.P. Losman
Jonathan Paul "J. P." Losman is an American football quarterback for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills 22nd overall in the 2004 NFL Draft...
found Peerless Price
Peerless Price
Peerless Jilo Price is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was originally drafted by the Bills in the second round of the 1999 NFL Draft...
for an 18-yard completion. They finished their next play with a bang, as Losman found Roscoe Parrish
Roscoe Parrish
Roscoe Parrish is an American football wide receiver and punt returner who currently plays for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Bills in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
for a short completion, who then juked past a defender and sprinted into the end zone for a 7–0 Bills lead just 55 seconds into the game. After a Jets punt, Buffalo moved the ball to the Jets' 35-yard line, but on a fake field goal, holder Brian Moorman
Brian Moorman
Brian Donald Moorman is an American football punter who currently plays for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. He was originally signed by the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 1999. He played collegiately at Pittsburg State.Moorman is a two-time Pro Bowl selection for...
threw an incomplete pass. After another Jets punt, Buffalo moved the ball to the Jets' 19-yard line, but Losman was sacked by Kerry Rhodes
Kerry Rhodes
Kerry Rhodes is an American football safety for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the fourth round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
, and Jonathan Vilma scooped up the loose ball. On Buffalo's next possession, following another Jets punt, Buffalo gambled and went for it on 4th-and-3 from the Jets' 28-yard line, but Losman's pass to Josh Reed
Josh Reed
Joshua Blake "Josh" Reed is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft...
only picked up two yards. The Jets capitalized, with rookie running back Leon Washington
Leon Washington
Leon Washington is an American football running back for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida State. He is married to Charity Washington with whom he has a son...
turning a short pass into a 46-yard gain to the Buffalo 3-yard line, where Kevan Barlow
Kevan Barlow
Kevan C. Barlow is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the third round of the 2001 NFL Draft...
ran it in to tie the game, 7–7.
But Buffalo came right back, using a 32-yard run by Willis McGahee
Willis McGahee
Willis Andrew McGahee III is an American football running back for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the first round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
to move into Jets territory, and Rian Lindell
Rian Lindell
Rian Lindell is an American football placekicker for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. He was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2000...
booted a 36-yard field goal. Following a trade of punts, the Jets took over at their own 33 with 2:43 left in the first half. Operating out of a no-huddle offense, Pennington quickly drove the Jets downfield, finding Laveranues Coles
Laveranues Coles
Laveranues Leon Coles is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the third round of the 2000 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida State University....
and Jerricho Cotchery
Jerricho Cotchery
Cotchery was selected by the New York Jets in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL draft.-New York Jets:In 2004, Cotchery caught 6 passes for 60 yards in 12 games as the team's 5th receiver...
for big completions of 10+ yards before Pennington found Chris Baker open on a 1-yard touchdown pass with 14 seconds left in the half to give the Jets a 14–10 halftime lead.
Buffalo forced a punt on the Jets' first possession of the second half, but with the ball on their own 33-yard line, Losman was sacked by Kerry Rhodes, and Victor Hobson
Victor Hobson
Victor Brian Hobson is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the second round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
picked it up and raced into the end zone for a 32-yard fumble return touchdown. It was Rhodes' second sack that forced a fumble in the game and third in the last two games. Late in the third quarter, Losman turned the ball over again, getting intercepted by David Barrett
David Barrett (American football)
David Barrett is an American football cornerback who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the seventh round of the 2000 NFL Draft. He played college football at Arkansas....
. But Losman atoned for his mistakes, finding Josh Reed open on a 31-yard completion to set up a 28-yard field goal by Lindell with 9:17 left in the game. The Jets appeared to put the game away on the next possession, with Cedric Houston
Cedric Houston
Cedric Leonard Houston is a former American football running back of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the sixth round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played college football at Tennessee.-Early years:...
scoring his first touchdown of the season on a 5-yard run with 3:26 to play. But Losman rallied Buffalo, finding Peerless Price and Lee Evans
Lee Evans (American football)
-Buffalo Bills:Evans was initially assigned the jersey number 84. Evans, as a reference to his full name, had always worn the number 3 in college, a number that was not allowed to be used in professional football for wide receivers...
on long completions before running the ball into the end zone from 12 yards out on a scramble to cut the Jets' lead to 28–20. On the ensuing onside kick, Buffalo caught a break, as Lindell's onside kick bounced off the elbow of Jets linebacker Matt Chatham
Matt Chatham
Matt Chatham is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He played college football at South Dakota.-High school years:...
, and André Davis
André Davis
André N. Davis is a American football wide receiver and kick returner who is currently a free agent. He was originally drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft...
recovered. But Buffalo could not get a first down, ending the game.
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter- BUF – ParrishRoscoe ParrishRoscoe Parrish is an American football wide receiver and punt returner who currently plays for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Bills in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
51 pass from LosmanJ.P. LosmanJonathan Paul "J. P." Losman is an American football quarterback for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills 22nd overall in the 2004 NFL Draft...
(LindellRian LindellRian Lindell is an American football placekicker for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. He was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2000...
kick), 14:05.
2nd Quarter
- NYJ – BarlowKevan BarlowKevan C. Barlow is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the third round of the 2001 NFL Draft...
3 run (NugentMike NugentMike Nugent is an American football placekicker for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
kick), 10:17. - BUF – FG Lindell 36, 0:52.
- NYJ – Baker 1 pass from PenningtonChad PenningtonJames Chadwick "Chad" Pennington is an American football quarterback who played in the National Football League for ten years. He is currently a football analyst with FOX Sports though he plans to return to playing after recovering from an injury...
(Nugent kick), :14.
3rd Quarter
- NYJ – HobsonVictor HobsonVictor Brian Hobson is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the second round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
32 fumble return (Nugent kick), 10:05.
4th Quarter
- BUF – FG Lindell 36, 9:14.
- NYJ – HoustonCedric HoustonCedric Leonard Houston is a former American football running back of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the sixth round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played college football at Tennessee.-Early years:...
5 run (NugentMike NugentMike Nugent is an American football placekicker for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
kick), 3:20. - BUF – Losman 12 run (Lindell kick), 1:15.
Week 4: vs Indianapolis Colts
Game Summary
On the game's first possession, Chad PenningtonChad Pennington
James Chadwick "Chad" Pennington is an American football quarterback who played in the National Football League for ten years. He is currently a football analyst with FOX Sports though he plans to return to playing after recovering from an injury...
was sacked by Robert Mathis
Robert Mathis
Robert Nathan Mathis is an American football defensive end who currently plays for the NFL's Indianapolis Colts.-Early years:Mathis attended McNair High School in Atlanta, Georgia....
, fumbled, and the Colts' Josh Thomas recovered. Dominic Rhodes
Dominic Rhodes
Dominic Dondrell Rhodes is an American football running back for the Virginia Destroyers of the United Football League. He attended Cooper High School in Abilene, Texas. He was signed by the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2001...
would score on a 6-yard touchdown run minutes later, an inauspicious start. The teams would trade punts for the rest of the first quarter before Pennington drove the Jets at the beginning of the second quarter, using long completions to Laveranues Coles
Laveranues Coles
Laveranues Leon Coles is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the third round of the 2000 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida State University....
and Tim Dwight
Tim Dwight
Timothy Deutch Dwight, Jr. is an American football wide receiver and return specialist who is currently a free agent. He was originally drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth round of the 1998 NFL Draft...
before he found Jerricho Cotchery
Jerricho Cotchery
Cotchery was selected by the New York Jets in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL draft.-New York Jets:In 2004, Cotchery caught 6 passes for 60 yards in 12 games as the team's 5th receiver...
on a 33-yard touchdown pass. What happened next stunned the Colts: Mike Nugent
Mike Nugent
Mike Nugent is an American football placekicker for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
tried an onside kick and Kerry Rhodes
Kerry Rhodes
Kerry Rhodes is an American football safety for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the fourth round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
recovered, sparking the home crowd. The Jets would make that surprise work, as Kevan Barlow
Kevan Barlow
Kevan C. Barlow is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the third round of the 2001 NFL Draft...
scored on a 1-yard touchdown run with 4:44 left in the first half, and the Jets had a 14–7 lead. But Peyton Manning rallied the Colts, converting a key third down to Marvin Harrison
Marvin Harrison
Marvin Daniel Harrison is a former American football wide receiver for the Indianapolis Colts. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the first round of the 1996 NFL Draft. He played college football at Syracuse...
before Joseph Addai
Joseph Addai
Joseph Addai, Jr. is an American football running back for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League. He was selected in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft out of Louisiana State University.-Early years:Addai's family hails from Ghana in West Africa...
scored on a 2-yard touchdown run to tie the score going to halftime.
Indianapolis punted to open the second half, and the Jets began to drive. Pennington converted three third downs on a drive that took nearly nine minutes off the clock, but it did not end well. Jets coach Eric Mangini
Eric Mangini
Eric Mangini is the former head coach of the Cleveland Browns and New York Jets of the National Football League and current NFL analyst for ESPN.-College:...
tried his second gamble of the game: going for it on 4th-and-goal from the Colts' 2-yard line. But Pennington's pass was intercepted in the end zone by Rocky Boiman
Rocky Boiman
Rocky Michael Boiman is an American football linebacker who currently is a free agent. He was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the fourth round of the 2002 NFL Draft. He played college football at Notre Dame....
, the first time in his career Pennington was intercepted in the end zone. Boiman's interception would set up a fast-and-furious finish as the teams scored 31 points in the fourth quarter.
Indianapolis took advantage of Boiman's interception and drove to set up Martin Gramatica
Martin Gramatica
Martín Gramática is an Argentine-American former football placekicker.Gramática was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third round of the 1999 NFL Draft after playing college football at Kansas State, and has also been a member of the Indianapolis Colts, New England Patriots, Dallas...
's 20-yard field goal, as Joseph Addai picked up big yardage on the drive. Using a no-huddle offense, Pennington drove the Jets downfield, and aided by an illegal contact penalty on the Colts' Mike Doss
Mike Doss
Michael Allen Doss is an American football safety who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the second round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
, scored the go-ahead touchdown as Kevan Barlow scored on a 5-yard run with 7:55 to play. Manning led the Colts right back, and aided by a questionable pass-interference penalty on Justin Miller, found Bryan Fletcher on a 2-yard touchdown pass with 2:40 to play. Miller appeared to be the goat, but on the ensuing kickoff ran the ball back 103 yards for a touchdown that sent Jets fans into hysteria. The Jets led 28–24 with 2:20 to play. But that would be enough time for Manning, converting a huge third down to Marvin Harrison
Marvin Harrison
Marvin Daniel Harrison is a former American football wide receiver for the Indianapolis Colts. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the first round of the 1996 NFL Draft. He played college football at Syracuse...
and a 15-yard pass to Reggie Wayne
Reggie Wayne
Reginald "Reggie" Wayne is a professional American football wide receiver for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League. Wayne was selected in the 1st round of the 2001 NFL Draft by the Colts...
going to the Jets' 1-yard line. Manning ran the ball up the middle on the next play to give the Colts the lead.
With eight seconds to play and the ball on the Jets' 32-yard line, Pennington completed a seemingly innocuous pass to Leon Washington
Leon Washington
Leon Washington is an American football running back for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida State. He is married to Charity Washington with whom he has a son...
. But what followed was an amazing attempt to pull off a miracle. In order, the Jets tried a series of several laterals, going from Washington, to Brad Smith
Brad Smith (American football)
Bradley "Brad" Alexander Smith is an American football quarterback, running back, wide receiver and return specialist for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. He was drafted in the 4th round of the 2006 NFL Draft by the New York Jets. He played college football at Missouri.-High...
, to Laveranues Coles, to Pennington, to Justin McCareins, back to Smith, who fumbled but recovered. He lateraled back to Coles, who fumbled but recovered. At this point, the Jets were at the Colts' 40-yard line. Coles ran down 13 yards and then tossed off to Nick Mangold
Nick Mangold
-New York Jets:Replacing Kevin Mawae at center, Mangold had a good rookie season, allowing only 0.5 sacks, committed only 3 penalties and made all the line calls. Mangold was considered to be the best prospect at center in the last 15 years according to NFL draft expert Mike Mayock...
, who fumbled, but this time, the Colts' Jason David
Jason David
Jason Aeron Walter David is an American football cornerback and is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL Draft...
recovered, ending the game.
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter- IND – RhodesDominic RhodesDominic Dondrell Rhodes is an American football running back for the Virginia Destroyers of the United Football League. He attended Cooper High School in Abilene, Texas. He was signed by the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2001...
6 run (GramaticaMartin GramaticaMartín Gramática is an Argentine-American former football placekicker.Gramática was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third round of the 1999 NFL Draft after playing college football at Kansas State, and has also been a member of the Indianapolis Colts, New England Patriots, Dallas...
kick), 12:28.
2nd Quarter
- NYJ – CotcheryJerricho CotcheryCotchery was selected by the New York Jets in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL draft.-New York Jets:In 2004, Cotchery caught 6 passes for 60 yards in 12 games as the team's 5th receiver...
33 pass from PenningtonChad PenningtonJames Chadwick "Chad" Pennington is an American football quarterback who played in the National Football League for ten years. He is currently a football analyst with FOX Sports though he plans to return to playing after recovering from an injury...
(NugentMike NugentMike Nugent is an American football placekicker for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
kick), 10:10. - NYJ – BarlowKevan BarlowKevan C. Barlow is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the third round of the 2001 NFL Draft...
1 run (Nugent kick), 4:44. - IND – AddaiJoseph AddaiJoseph Addai, Jr. is an American football running back for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League. He was selected in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft out of Louisiana State University.-Early years:Addai's family hails from Ghana in West Africa...
2 run (Gramatica kick), :16.
4th Quarter
- IND – FG Gramatica 20, 12:58.
- NYJ – Barlow 5 run (Nugent kick), 7:55.
- IND – Fletcher 2 pass from ManningPeyton ManningPeyton Williams Manning is an American football quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League . Manning holds the record for most NFL MVP awards with four. He was drafted by the Colts as the first overall pick in 1998 after a standout college football career with the...
(Gramatica kick), 2:34. - NYJ – Miller 103 kickoff return (Nugent kick), 2:20.
- IND – Manning 1 run (Gramatica kick), 1:30.
Week 5: at Jacksonville Jaguars
Game Summary
For the third straight week, the game got off to an ominous start for the Jets, as Chad PenningtonChad Pennington
James Chadwick "Chad" Pennington is an American football quarterback who played in the National Football League for ten years. He is currently a football analyst with FOX Sports though he plans to return to playing after recovering from an injury...
was intercepted by Brian Williams
Brian Williams (cornerback)
Brian Williams is an American football cornerback who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the fourth round of the 2002 NFL Draft...
on the Jets' first possession. Byron Leftwich
Byron Leftwich
Byron Antron Leftwich is an American football quarterback in the National Football League who currently plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars seventh overall in the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college football at Marshall University.Leftwich has also played...
then completed a short pass to Fred Taylor, who turned it into a 32-yard gain. Two plays later, Maurice Jones-Drew
Maurice Jones-Drew
Maurice Christopher Jones-Drew is a professional American football player who currently plays running back for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League . He was drafted in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
scored on a 6-yard touchdown run. After forcing a punt, Jacksonville wasted no time tacking onto their lead, with Leftwich completing passes to Reggie Williams
Reggie Williams (wide receiver)
Reginald "Reggie" Williams, Jr. is an American football wide receiver who is currenly a free agent. He was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first round of the 2004 NFL Draft. He played college football at Washington.-Early years:...
and George Wrighster
George Wrighster
George Fredrick Wrighster, III is an American football tight end for the Las Vegas Locomotives of the United Football League. He was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the fourth round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
for long gains. Taylor would then score on a 13-yard touchdown run for a 14–0 Jaguars lead.
Early in the second quarter, the Jets attempted a punt, but the Jaguars' Gerald Sensabaugh
Gerald Sensabaugh
Gerald Lind Sensabaugh, Jr. is an American football Safety who is currently a safety for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the fifth round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
blocked it, and Jorge Cordova
Jorge Cordova
Jorge Cordova is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. Cordova, who is of Mexican American descent, was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the third round of the 2004 NFL Draft. He attended Murrieta Valley High School in Murrieta, California and graduated class of 1999...
recovered at the Jets' 8-yard line. Three plays later, Jones-Drew scored on a 4-yard touchdown run, surviving a challenge by the Jets. It only snowballed from there, as Pennington was intercepted by Terry Cousin
Terry Cousin
Terry Sean Cousin is an American football cornerback who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent in 1997...
on the next possession, and Leftwich flipped a 1-yard touchdown pass to Wrighster.
Jacksonville would add a Josh Scobee
Josh Scobee
Joshua Taylor Scobee is an American football placekicker, who currently plays for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League . He began his college football career as kicker for the Louisiana Tech University Bulldogs, setting several school records...
43-yard field goal early in the second half, and after Deon Grant
Deon Grant
Deon D'Marquis Grant is an American football safety for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the second round of the 2000 NFL Draft...
intercepted Pennington, Leftwich threw a 16-yard touchdown pass to Williams for a 38–0 lead. The Jets' lone scoring chance in the second half was stopped when Leon Washington
Leon Washington
Leon Washington is an American football running back for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida State. He is married to Charity Washington with whom he has a son...
was stuffed on a 4th-and-goal from the Jaguars' 1-yard line early in the fourth quarter. The Jets were stopped on fourth down on their next possession when Pennington's scramble fell a yard short, and Scobee added a 40-yard field goal to close the scoring. On the Jets' final possession, backup rookie quarterback Kellen Clemens
Kellen Clemens
Kellen Clemens is an American football quarterback who is currently a member of the Houston Texans of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
made his first appearance under center, but the drive ended badly when he was sacked by Montavious Stanley
Montavious Stanley
Montavious Stanley is an American football defensive tackle who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the sixth round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Louisville....
and Nick Greisen
Nick Greisen
Nick A. Greisen is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the New York Giants in the fifth round of the 2002 NFL Draft. He played college football at Wisconsin....
recovered.
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter- JAX – Jones-DrewMaurice Jones-DrewMaurice Christopher Jones-Drew is a professional American football player who currently plays running back for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League . He was drafted in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
6 run (ScobeeJosh ScobeeJoshua Taylor Scobee is an American football placekicker, who currently plays for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League . He began his college football career as kicker for the Louisiana Tech University Bulldogs, setting several school records...
kick), 9:44. - JAX – TaylorFred Taylor (football player)Frederick Antwon Taylor is a former American college and professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League for thirteen seasons during the 1990s and 2000s. He played college football for the University of Florida, and was recognized as a first-team All-American...
13 run (Scobee kick), 4:44.
2nd Quarter
- JAX – Jones-Drew 4 run (Scobee kick), 12:52.
- JAX – WrighsterGeorge WrighsterGeorge Fredrick Wrighster, III is an American football tight end for the Las Vegas Locomotives of the United Football League. He was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the fourth round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
1 pass from LeftwichByron LeftwichByron Antron Leftwich is an American football quarterback in the National Football League who currently plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars seventh overall in the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college football at Marshall University.Leftwich has also played...
, 7:10.
3rd Quarter
- JAX – FG Scobee 43, 10:52.
- JAX – Williams 16 pass from Leftwich (Scobee kick), 8:50.
4th Quarter
- JAX – FG Scobee 40, 2:42.
Week 6: vs. Miami Dolphins
Game Summary
The Jets got off to a good start in this game, with Mike NugentMike Nugent
Mike Nugent is an American football placekicker for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
kicking a 33-yard field goal on the Jets' first possession, their first points in the first quarter all season. The defense was a force early, a week after being trashed in the 41–0 loss to Jacksonville, as Andre Dyson
Andre Dyson
Andre Dyson is a former American football cornerback. He was originally drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He played college football at Utah. Currently, he coaches cornerbacks at Weber State, in Ogden, Utah.He is the younger brother of former NFL wide...
intercepted Miami quarterback Joey Harrington
Joey Harrington
John Joseph "Joey" Harrington, Jr. is a former American football quarterback. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions third overall in the 2002 NFL Draft, where he played for most of his professional career. He ranks third all-time in Detroit history in pass completions, with 986...
on the next possession. After a punt, the Jets again forced a turnover, as Victor Hobson
Victor Hobson
Victor Brian Hobson is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the second round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
picked Harrington off. Midway through the second quarter, Miami gambled on a 4th-and-1 from the Jets' 29-yard line, but Ronnie Brown
Ronnie Brown
Ronnie G. Brown, Jr. is an American football running back for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League . After graduating from Cartersville High School in Georgia, Brown attended Auburn University to play college football for the Auburn Tigers...
was stopped. The game went to halftime still 3–0 Jets.
Pennington led the Jets on a long drive to open the second half, capped off by another 33-yard field goal by Nugent. Miami came right back, driving inside the Jets' red zone, but the defense held firm, holding Miami to an Olindo Mare
Olindo Mare
Olindo Franco Mare is an American football placekicker for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League. He was originally signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 1996...
21-yard field goal. After a good kick return by Justin Miller, Pennington turned a short completion to Laveranues Coles
Laveranues Coles
Laveranues Leon Coles is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the third round of the 2000 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida State University....
into a 58-yard touchdown as Coles found an opening and raced to the end zone for a 13–3 Jets lead. After Sammy Morris
Sammy Morris
Samuel "Sammy" Morris III is an American football running back who is a free agent in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the fifth round of the 2000 NFL Draft...
fumbled on the next possession for Miami, Pennington found Coles on a 22-yard touchdown pass to open up a 17-point lead with 13:23 to play.
Miami came right back, however, with Harrington leading the Dolphins quickly downfield on a 12-play, 81-yard drive, capped by a 2-yard touchdown toss to Chris Chambers
Chris Chambers
Christopher J. "Chris" Chambers is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft...
. After forcing a punt, Harrington again led Miami downfield, using an 11-play, 74-yard drive to pull Miami within 20–17, as Ronnie Brown scored on a 1-yard run. After another punt, Miami took over on their own 11-yard line with 2:18 to play. Harrington used big completions to Randy McMichael
Randy McMichael
-Miami Dolphins:McMichael was selected in the fourth round in the 2002 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins. The pick used by Dolphins to select him was originally acquired from the New Orleans Saints in the deal that sent running back Ricky Williams to the Miami Dolphins.McMichael made his NFL debut...
and Chambers to move to the Jets' 32-yard line with 38 seconds to play, but Mare's game-tying 51-yard attempt was well short, sealing the victory for New York.
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter- NYJ – FG NugentMike NugentMike Nugent is an American football placekicker for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
33, 9:30.
3rd Quarter
- NYJ – FG Nugent 33, 9:04.
- MIA – FG MareOlindo MareOlindo Franco Mare is an American football placekicker for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League. He was originally signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 1996...
21, 4:24. - NYJ – ColesLaveranues ColesLaveranues Leon Coles is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the third round of the 2000 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida State University....
58 pass from PenningtonChad PenningtonJames Chadwick "Chad" Pennington is an American football quarterback who played in the National Football League for ten years. He is currently a football analyst with FOX Sports though he plans to return to playing after recovering from an injury...
(Nugent kick), 3:23.
4th Quarter
- NYJ – Coles 22 pass from Pennington (Nugent kick), 13:15.
- MIA – ChambersChris ChambersChristopher J. "Chris" Chambers is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft...
2 pass from HarringtonJoey HarringtonJohn Joseph "Joey" Harrington, Jr. is a former American football quarterback. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions third overall in the 2002 NFL Draft, where he played for most of his professional career. He ranks third all-time in Detroit history in pass completions, with 986...
(Mare kick), 8:49. - MIA – BrownRonnie BrownRonnie G. Brown, Jr. is an American football running back for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League . After graduating from Cartersville High School in Georgia, Brown attended Auburn University to play college football for the Auburn Tigers...
1 run (Mare kick), 2:56.
Week 7: vs. Detroit Lions
Game Summary
The Jets quickly drove downfield on their first possession, scoring their first touchdown in the first quarter all season. Chad PenningtonChad Pennington
James Chadwick "Chad" Pennington is an American football quarterback who played in the National Football League for ten years. He is currently a football analyst with FOX Sports though he plans to return to playing after recovering from an injury...
found Jerricho Cotchery
Jerricho Cotchery
Cotchery was selected by the New York Jets in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL draft.-New York Jets:In 2004, Cotchery caught 6 passes for 60 yards in 12 games as the team's 5th receiver...
on a 28-yard completion and rookie running back Leon Washington
Leon Washington
Leon Washington is an American football running back for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida State. He is married to Charity Washington with whom he has a son...
picked up 23 yards on a sweep around end before Washington scored on a 5-yard touchdown run. On the Jets' next possession, Pennington fired a 44-yard touchdown pass to Justin McCareins, his first touchdown of the season, to open up a 14–0 lead. The Lions would get on the board early in the second quarter as Jon Kitna
Jon Kitna
Jon K. Kitna is an American football quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League. He was signed by the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 1996...
had big completions to Dan Campbell
Dan Campbell
Daniel Allen Campbell is a former American football tight end and currently a tight ends coach for the Miami Dolphins. He played tight end for four teams in the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Giants in the third round of the 1999 NFL Draft. He played college football at...
, Mike Furrey
Mike Furrey
Michael Thomas Furrey is an American football wide receiver for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. He was signed by the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2000. He played college football at Northern Iowa and Ohio State University.Furrey has also played for the...
, and Roy Williams
Roy Williams (wide receiver)
Roy Eugene Williams, Jr. is an American football wide receiver who is currently a member of the Chicago Bears. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions seventh overall in the 2004 NFL Draft...
, the pass to Williams a 22-yard touchdown. But on the kickoff, Justin Miller returned the ball 56 yards inside Detroit territory, and after a pass from Pennington to Cotchery, Kevan Barlow
Kevan Barlow
Kevan C. Barlow is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the third round of the 2001 NFL Draft...
scored on a 3-yard touchdown run. Kitna would get intercepted by Kerry Rhodes
Kerry Rhodes
Kerry Rhodes is an American football safety for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the fourth round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
on the next possession, but Pennington would then get picked off by Terrence Holt
Terrence Holt
Terrence DaQuay Holt is an American football safety who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the fifth round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college football at North Carolina State....
at the Detroit 2-yard line to short-circuit a possible score. The Jets led 21–7 at halftime.
Kitna would again get intercepted on the first possession of the second half, this time by Jonathan Vilma. But the drive went nowhere, and Detroit's next one, a 12-play, 83-yard drive, resulted in a 25-yard field goal by Jason Hanson
Jason Hanson
Jason Douglas Hanson is an American football placekicker for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League, where he has spent his entire 20 year career. He was drafted by the Lions in the second round of the 1992 NFL Draft...
. The Jets got that right back, as Pennington converted a couple of third downs during a drive that was capped by Mike Nugent
Mike Nugent
Mike Nugent is an American football placekicker for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
's 33-yard field goal. Down fourteen points, Detroit halved New York's lead with Kitna finding Kevin Jones
Kevin Jones (American football)
Kevin S. Jones is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions 30th overall in the 2004 NFL Draft...
on a 9-yard touchdown pass on a drive where Kitna converted a critical 4th-and-11 pass to Mike Furrey. The Jets would come right back, with Washington scoring on a 16-yard touchdown run on a sweep around end. Detroit would not give up, as Kitna found Furrey on an 18-yard touchdown pass on a play that survived a Jets challenge. On that drive, Kitna again converted a fourth down to Furrey. But Detroit's ensuing onside kick failed, and the Jets ran out the clock.
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter- NYJ – WashingtonLeon WashingtonLeon Washington is an American football running back for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida State. He is married to Charity Washington with whom he has a son...
5 run (NugentMike NugentMike Nugent is an American football placekicker for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
kick), 12:15. - NYJ – McCareins 44 pass from PenningtonChad PenningtonJames Chadwick "Chad" Pennington is an American football quarterback who played in the National Football League for ten years. He is currently a football analyst with FOX Sports though he plans to return to playing after recovering from an injury...
(Nugent kick), 4:02. (14–0 NYJ)
2nd Quarter
- DET – WilliamsRoy Williams (wide receiver)Roy Eugene Williams, Jr. is an American football wide receiver who is currently a member of the Chicago Bears. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions seventh overall in the 2004 NFL Draft...
22 pass from KitnaJon KitnaJon K. Kitna is an American football quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League. He was signed by the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 1996...
(HansonJason HansonJason Douglas Hanson is an American football placekicker for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League, where he has spent his entire 20 year career. He was drafted by the Lions in the second round of the 1992 NFL Draft...
kick), 7:54. - NYJ – BarlowKevan BarlowKevan C. Barlow is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the third round of the 2001 NFL Draft...
2 run (Nugent kick), 5:28.
3rd Quarter
- DET – FG Hanson 25, 4:57.
4th Quarter
- NYJ – FG Nugent 33, 14:20.
- DET – Jones 9 pass from Kitna (Hanson kick), 9:09.
- NYJ – Washington 16 run (Nugent kick), 4:51.
- DET – FurreyMike FurreyMichael Thomas Furrey is an American football wide receiver for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. He was signed by the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2000. He played college football at Northern Iowa and Ohio State University.Furrey has also played for the...
22 pass from Kitna (Hanson kick), 2:22.
Week 8: at Cleveland Browns
Game Summary
The Jets got the ball first and Pennington led the Jets on a 16-play, 83-yard drive that took 8:30 off the clock before Mike NugentMike Nugent
Mike Nugent is an American football placekicker for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
kicked a 27-yard field goal. On the Browns' next possession, Reuben Droughns
Reuben Droughns
Reuben Droughns is an American football running back who is currently the head coach for the Serbian team Vukovi Beograd, the two-time champions of the Central European Football League. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the third round of the 2000 NFL Draft...
had two big gains to put the Browns in position for Phil Dawson
Phil Dawson
Philip Drury Dawson is an American football placekicker for the Cleveland Browns in the National Football League. He holds the franchise record for most field goals made, passing Hall of Famer Lou Groza in 2010...
's 47-yard field goal, knotting the score, 3–3. Pennington was then intercepted by Sean Jones
Sean Jones (defensive end)
Dwight Sean Jones is a former American football defensive end, who played for the Los Angeles Raiders , Houston Oilers , and the Green Bay Packers . Jones was selected to the Pro Bowl after the 1993 season...
, and Charlie Frye
Charlie Frye
Charles Frye, , is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the third round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played college football at Akron.-Early years:...
led the Browns on a long drive that was capped by a 2-yard touchdown run by Droughns. Frye would get intercepted by Eric Smith
Eric Smith (American football)
-2006:Smith was selected 97th overall in the 2006 NFL Draft. Smith had been rising on many draft boards in the weeks leading up to the draft as he was praised for his instincts and physicality on the field. The Jets signed Smith to a contract on July 21, 2006....
on the Browns' next possession, but Nugent missed a 52-yard field goal wide right, his first missed field goal since Week 1. However, the Jets would get a break as Dawson missed a chip-shot 26-yard field goal at the end of the first half. Still, Cleveland led 10–3 at halftime.
Cleveland got the ball first in the second half, and Droughns continued to move the ball, picking up solid yardage before Frye found Kellen Winslow II
Kellen Winslow II
Kellen Boswell Winslow, II is an American football tight end for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cleveland Browns sixth overall in the 2004 NFL Draft...
open on a 30-yard touchdown reception. After the teams traded punts, Leon Washington
Leon Washington
Leon Washington is an American football running back for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida State. He is married to Charity Washington with whom he has a son...
fumbled on the Jets' 10-yard line, with Nick Eason
Nick Eason
Nicholas Eason is an American football defensive end for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the fourth round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
forcing and Kamerion Wimbley
Kamerion Wimbley
-Cleveland Browns:On July 22, 2006, he signed a six-year deal with the Browns and includes $9.3 million in guaranteed money and $23.7 million total. After being converted to outside linebacker from his college position of defensive end, he played the entire season as the starting linebacker playing...
recovering. Dawson knocked in a 21-yard field goal to give Cleveland a 20–3 lead with 3:51 left in the third quarter. The Jets got an immediate lift when Justin Miller returned the ensuing kickoff 99 yards for a score, his second return of the year, to cut the lead to ten. After a Browns punt, Pennington drove the Jets into position for Nugent's 47-yard field goal to narrow the deficit to 20–13. But on the Jets' next possession, Pennington was again intercepted by Jones, but Cleveland was forced to punt.
After another trade of punts, the Jets took over on Cleveland's 47-yard line with 1:56 to play. On 4th-and-4 from the Cleveland 24 with 1:06 to play, Pennington lofted a pass that Chris Baker leapt for and caught with one hand as he began to land. Just before his foot hit the ground, the Browns' Brodney Pool
Brodney Pool
Brodney Depaul Pool is an American football safety for the New York Jets of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played college football at Oklahoma....
levelled Baker, who landed out-of-bounds but still in possession of the ball. The referee ruled that Baker was out-of-bounds, rather than ruling he was forced out, which would have led to a touchdown. Eric Mangini
Eric Mangini
Eric Mangini is the former head coach of the Cleveland Browns and New York Jets of the National Football League and current NFL analyst for ESPN.-College:...
called a timeout in the hopes that the referees would review the play, but since it was a judgement call, it was non-reviewable under NFL rules. Frye took a knee to end the game.
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter- NYJ – FG NugentMike NugentMike Nugent is an American football placekicker for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
33, 6:30. - CLE – FG DawsonPhil DawsonPhilip Drury Dawson is an American football placekicker for the Cleveland Browns in the National Football League. He holds the franchise record for most field goals made, passing Hall of Famer Lou Groza in 2010...
47, 2:55.
2nd Quarter
- CLE – DroughnsReuben DroughnsReuben Droughns is an American football running back who is currently the head coach for the Serbian team Vukovi Beograd, the two-time champions of the Central European Football League. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the third round of the 2000 NFL Draft...
2 run (Dawson kick), 10:00.
3rd Quarter
- CLE – Winslow IIKellen Winslow IIKellen Boswell Winslow, II is an American football tight end for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cleveland Browns sixth overall in the 2004 NFL Draft...
30 pass from FryeCharlie FryeCharles Frye, , is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the third round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played college football at Akron.-Early years:...
(Dawson kick), 11:16. - CLE – FG Dawson 21, 3:48.
- NYJ – Miller 99 kickoff return (Nugent kick), 3:35.
4th Quarter
- NYJ – FG Nugent 47, 12:54.
Week 10: at New England Patriots
Game Summary
On a rainy day in New England, both team's defenses held firm early, with the teams trading punts until New England went on a drive that reached one play into the second quarter, when Stephen GostkowskiStephen Gostkowski
Stephen Carroll Gostkowski is a placekicker for the New England Patriots of the National Football League...
booted a 31-yard field goal. On the Jets' next play from scrimmage, Chad Pennington
Chad Pennington
James Chadwick "Chad" Pennington is an American football quarterback who played in the National Football League for ten years. He is currently a football analyst with FOX Sports though he plans to return to playing after recovering from an injury...
was intercepted by Artrell Hawkins
Artrell Hawkins
Artrell Hawkins, Jr. is a former American football defensive back of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round of the 1998 NFL Draft...
. Two plays later, Tom Brady
Tom Brady
Thomas Edward Patrick "Tom" Brady, Jr. is an American football quarterback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . After playing college football at Michigan, Brady was drafted by the Patriots in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft.He has played in four Super Bowls,...
found Doug Gabriel
Doug Gabriel
Douglas Gabriel is an American football wide receiver currently playing for the Orlando Predators an Arena Football League team in Orlando Florida. He was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the fifth round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
open downfield for a long first down, but Victor Hobson
Victor Hobson
Victor Brian Hobson is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the second round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
forced a fumble and Kerry Rhodes
Kerry Rhodes
Kerry Rhodes is an American football safety for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the fourth round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
recovered. The Jets followed with a time-consuming 16-play, 9:12 drive, capped off by a two-yard Kevan Barlow
Kevan Barlow
Kevan C. Barlow is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the third round of the 2001 NFL Draft...
touchdown run for a 7–3 Jets lead.
New England battled downfield, converting a 4th-and-1 from their own 44 with a run to fullback Heath Evans
Heath Evans
Bryan Heath Evans is a former American football fullback. He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the third round of the 2001 NFL Draft...
, and on the first play after the two-minute warning, Brady appeared to be intercepted by Drew Coleman
Drew Coleman
Drew A. Coleman is an American football cornerback who currently plays for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League. Coleman was selected by the New York Jets in the sixth round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
, who ran the ball back 35 yards. But, the play was negated on a controversial roughing-the-passer call on Hobson, who dove at Brady as he was releasing the ball, but drove him into the ground, prompting the flag. The Patriots then converted on a 4th-and-3 from the Jets' 24, but would be forced to settle for a 21-yard field goal from Gostkowski with four seconds left.
Justin Miller ran back the opening kickoff of the second half 62 yards, and the drive ended with Pennington lining up in the shotgun on 4th-and-5 from the Patriots' 33, only to punt the ball to the New England 4. After a Patriots punt, Pennington led the Jets on another long drive, this one 15 plays and only 45 yards, but it ate 6:40 off the clock and resulted in Nugent's 34-yard field goal. Midway through the fourth quarter, Brady was intercepted by Erik Coleman
Erik Coleman
Erik Coleman is an American football safety currently playing for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. He was originally drafted by the New York Jets in the fifth round of the 2004 NFL Draft. Went to high school at Lewis & Clark High School in Spokane, Washington...
, and Pennington tossed a 22-yard touchdown pass to Jerricho Cotchery
Jerricho Cotchery
Cotchery was selected by the New York Jets in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL draft.-New York Jets:In 2004, Cotchery caught 6 passes for 60 yards in 12 games as the team's 5th receiver...
, barely keeping his feet inbounds, although the play was never challenged. The Jets led 17–6 with 4:51 to go.
However, operating out of a no-huddle offense, Brady led the Patriots 61 yards in 31 seconds, capped by a 15-yard touchdown pass to Reche Caldwell
Reche Caldwell
Donald Reche Caldwell, Jr. is a former American college and professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League for six seasons in the early 2000s...
, and Brady found Caldwell again on the two-point conversion to narrow the lead to 17–14. But the next drive was critical, as the Jets forced New England to burn all three timeouts, punting with 1:15 to go. New England took over at their own 11-yard line and moved the ball to the Jets' 46-yard line. On the final play of the game, Brady was sacked by Shaun Ellis
Shaun Ellis
MeShaunda "Shaun" Pizarrur Ellis is an American football defensive end for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . Ellis was drafted by the New York Jets in the first round of the 2000 NFL Draft out of the University of Tennessee...
.
Scoring Summary
2nd Quarter- NE – FG GostkowskiStephen GostkowskiStephen Carroll Gostkowski is a placekicker for the New England Patriots of the National Football League...
31, 14:56. - NYJ – BarlowKevan BarlowKevan C. Barlow is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the third round of the 2001 NFL Draft...
2 run (NugentMike NugentMike Nugent is an American football placekicker for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
kick), 4:43. - NE – FG Gostkowski 21, :04.
3rd Quarter
- NYJ – FG Nugent 34, 1:46.
4th Quarter
- NYJ – CotcheryJerricho CotcheryCotchery was selected by the New York Jets in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL draft.-New York Jets:In 2004, Cotchery caught 6 passes for 60 yards in 12 games as the team's 5th receiver...
22 pass from PenningtonChad PenningtonJames Chadwick "Chad" Pennington is an American football quarterback who played in the National Football League for ten years. He is currently a football analyst with FOX Sports though he plans to return to playing after recovering from an injury...
(Nugent kick), 4:45. - NE – CaldwellReche CaldwellDonald Reche Caldwell, Jr. is a former American college and professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League for six seasons in the early 2000s...
15 pass from BradyTom BradyThomas Edward Patrick "Tom" Brady, Jr. is an American football quarterback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . After playing college football at Michigan, Brady was drafted by the Patriots in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft.He has played in four Super Bowls,...
(Caldwell pass from Brady), 4:14.
Week 11: vs. Chicago Bears
Game Summary
The first quarter was all about defense, as the teams traded punts until the Jets got the ball late in the first quarter at their own 24-yard line. On the drive, Chad PenningtonChad Pennington
James Chadwick "Chad" Pennington is an American football quarterback who played in the National Football League for ten years. He is currently a football analyst with FOX Sports though he plans to return to playing after recovering from an injury...
converted key third downs to Brad Smith
Brad Smith (American football)
Bradley "Brad" Alexander Smith is an American football quarterback, running back, wide receiver and return specialist for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. He was drafted in the 4th round of the 2006 NFL Draft by the New York Jets. He played college football at Missouri.-High...
and Tim Dwight
Tim Dwight
Timothy Deutch Dwight, Jr. is an American football wide receiver and return specialist who is currently a free agent. He was originally drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth round of the 1998 NFL Draft...
, and was soon faced with a 3rd-and-goal at the Bears' 6-yard line. Apparently unable to see an open Laveranues Coles
Laveranues Coles
Laveranues Leon Coles is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the third round of the 2000 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida State University....
, Pennington lobbed a pass towards Chris Baker that was intercepted by Brian Urlacher
Brian Urlacher
Brian Keith Urlacher is an American football player for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League . He attended the University of New Mexico, where he was one of the school's most decorated athletes. In addition to setting multiple university records, Urlacher earned consideration for the...
. With just under four minutes left in the half, Thomas Jones appeared to fumble and Kerry Rhodes
Kerry Rhodes
Kerry Rhodes is an American football safety for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the fourth round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
recovered, but Chicago successfully challenged the play, denying the Jets a scoring opportunity. The game was scoreless at halftime.
Eric Mangini
Eric Mangini
Eric Mangini is the former head coach of the Cleveland Browns and New York Jets of the National Football League and current NFL analyst for ESPN.-College:...
, apparently remembering the success of his surprise onside kick against Indianapolis in Week 4, decided to open the second half with one. Unfortunately, this one was scooped up by Chicago's Chris Harris
Chris Harris (football player)
For the Denver Broncos player of the same name, see Chris Harris Chris Harris is an American football safety for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League...
. On the Bears' first play, Jones broke off a 19-yard run, and Jones rushed every play on the drive that was capped off by a 20-yard field goal by Robbie Gould
Robbie Gould
Robert Paul "Robbie" Gould III is an American football placekicker for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League. He was originally signed by the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2005. He played college football at Penn State...
. The Jets' next drive ended when Pennington was intercepted by Nathan Vasher
Nathan Vasher
Nathaniel DeWayne Vasher is an American football cornerback who is currently a free agent in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL Draft...
in Chicago territory. The Bears' game-breaking score came when Rex Grossman
Rex Grossman
Rex Daniel Grossman, III is an American football quarterback for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League . Grossman played college football for the University of Florida, and thereafter, he has played professionally for the Chicago Bears, Houston Texans and Washington Redskins of...
completed a short pass to Mark Bradley
Mark Bradley
Mark Anthony Bradley is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
. The Jets' Drew Coleman
Drew Coleman
Drew A. Coleman is an American football cornerback who currently plays for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League. Coleman was selected by the New York Jets in the sixth round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
fell down attempting to make the tackle, and Bradley had an open lane to the end zone to extend the Bears' lead to 10–0. The Bears then went into a ball-control offense, and the Jets could not muster anything.
Scoring Summary
3rd Quarter- CHI – FG GouldRobbie GouldRobert Paul "Robbie" Gould III is an American football placekicker for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League. He was originally signed by the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2005. He played college football at Penn State...
20, 10:39.
4th Quarter
- CHI – BradleyMark BradleyMark Anthony Bradley is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
57 pass from GrossmanRex GrossmanRex Daniel Grossman, III is an American football quarterback for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League . Grossman played college football for the University of Florida, and thereafter, he has played professionally for the Chicago Bears, Houston Texans and Washington Redskins of...
(Gould kick), 14:50.
Week 12: vs. Houston Texans
Game Summary
The game started out with the teams trading punts, and when Houston attempted a punt from the Jets' 37-yard line, punter Chad StanleyChad Stanley
Benjamin Chadwick Stanley is an American football punter who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent in 1999. He played college football at Stephen F...
fumbled the snap and the Jets had the ball at their own 46-yard line. A 36-yard completion from Chad Pennington
Chad Pennington
James Chadwick "Chad" Pennington is an American football quarterback who played in the National Football League for ten years. He is currently a football analyst with FOX Sports though he plans to return to playing after recovering from an injury...
to Laveranues Coles
Laveranues Coles
Laveranues Leon Coles is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the third round of the 2000 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida State University....
almost went for naught when Leon Washington
Leon Washington
Leon Washington is an American football running back for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida State. He is married to Charity Washington with whom he has a son...
fumbled a short pass, but Brad Smith recovered. Mike Nugent
Mike Nugent
Mike Nugent is an American football placekicker for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
booted a 23-yard field goal to put the Jets on the board. On the Jets' next drive, Pennington led the Jets into Houston territory, aided by a pass-interference call on DeMarcus Faggins
Demarcus Faggins
DeMarcus Faggins is an American football cornerback for the Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League. He was drafted by the Houston Texans in the sixth round of the 2002 NFL Draft...
. Nugent kicked a 34-yard field goal for a 6–0 Jets lead. Houston rebounded, with David Carr
David Carr
David Duke Carr is an American football quarterback for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Houston Texans first overall in the 2002 NFL Draft...
converting a key third down to Andre Johnson
Andre Johnson
Andre Lamont Johnson is an American football wide receiver currently playing for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. Through the 2010–11 NFL season, Johnson currently ranks first all-time in NFL history in receiving yards per game for a career...
to set up Kris Brown
Kris Brown
Kristopher "Kris" Clayton Brown is an American football placekicker who is currently a free agent.He was originally drafted in the seventh round of the 1999 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. In the first six years of his NFL career, he has converted 132 of 173 field goals and scored 573 points...
's 47-yard field goal. Pennington completed a long pass to Jerricho Cotchery
Jerricho Cotchery
Cotchery was selected by the New York Jets in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL draft.-New York Jets:In 2004, Cotchery caught 6 passes for 60 yards in 12 games as the team's 5th receiver...
on the next drive to set up Nugent's career-long 54-yard field goal to give the Jets a 9–3 lead. The half ended when Brown came up five yards short on a 59-yard field goal attempt.
On the Jets' first possession of the second half, following a Houston punt, Pennington completed long passes to Chris Baker and Cotchery before finding Coles on a 12-yard touchdown pass. On the Jets' next drive, fans everywhere held their breath when Pennington was drilled by Mario Williams
Mario Williams
Mario Jerrel Williams is an American football defensive end for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. He was selected first overall by the Texans in the 2006 NFL Draft...
while releasing a pass and was slow to get up. Luckily, he only had the wind knocked out of him. Kerry Rhodes
Kerry Rhodes
Kerry Rhodes is an American football safety for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the fourth round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
intercepted Carr soon after, and Pennington completed another long pass to Cotchery to set up Cedric Houston
Cedric Houston
Cedric Leonard Houston is a former American football running back of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the sixth round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played college football at Tennessee.-Early years:...
's 1-yard touchdown run and a 23–3 lead. The Jets' final score came after a 13-play drive that ate up 8:27, capped by Nugent's 40-yard field goal, his fourth of the game. Houston closed the scoring when Carr found Johnson in the end zone, and then completed a two-point conversion pass to Wali Lundy
Wali Lundy
Wali Sultan Lundy is a rapper and former American football running back who played for the National Football League. He is currently a free agent. Lundy was drafted in round six, pick 1 of the 2006 NFL Draft after playing college football at the University of Virginia...
.
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter- NYJ – FG NugentMike NugentMike Nugent is an American football placekicker for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
23, 1:25.
2nd Quarter
- NYJ – FG Nugent 34, 9:46.
- HOU – FG BrownKris BrownKristopher "Kris" Clayton Brown is an American football placekicker who is currently a free agent.He was originally drafted in the seventh round of the 1999 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. In the first six years of his NFL career, he has converted 132 of 173 field goals and scored 573 points...
47, 4:59. - NYJ – FG Nugent 54, 1:09.
3rd Quarter
- NYJ – ColesLaveranues ColesLaveranues Leon Coles is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the third round of the 2000 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida State University....
12 pass from PenningtonChad PenningtonJames Chadwick "Chad" Pennington is an American football quarterback who played in the National Football League for ten years. He is currently a football analyst with FOX Sports though he plans to return to playing after recovering from an injury...
(Nugent kick), 9:00. - NYJ – HoustonCedric HoustonCedric Leonard Houston is a former American football running back of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the sixth round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played college football at Tennessee.-Early years:...
1 run (Nugent kick), 3:33.
4th Quarter
- NYJ – FG Nugent 40, 8:05.
- HOU – JohnsonAndre JohnsonAndre Lamont Johnson is an American football wide receiver currently playing for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. Through the 2010–11 NFL season, Johnson currently ranks first all-time in NFL history in receiving yards per game for a career...
3 pass from CarrDavid CarrDavid Duke Carr is an American football quarterback for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Houston Texans first overall in the 2002 NFL Draft...
(Carr pass to LundyWali LundyWali Sultan Lundy is a rapper and former American football running back who played for the National Football League. He is currently a free agent. Lundy was drafted in round six, pick 1 of the 2006 NFL Draft after playing college football at the University of Virginia...
), 3:54.
Week 13: at Green Bay Packers
Game Summary
The Jets let Green Bay know right away that they would not let the cold affect them, with B.J. Askew prancing along the sidelines in the 19-degree weather shirtless before the game. Sure enough, on the game's opening drive, Pennington drove the Jets downfield, aided by a key third-down completion to Justin McCareins, capped by Mike NugentMike Nugent
Mike Nugent is an American football placekicker for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
's 24-yard field goal. On the next possession, Bryan Thomas sacked Brett Favre
Brett Favre
Brett Lorenzo Favre is a former American football quarterback who spent the majority of his career with the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League . He was a 20-year veteran of the NFL, having played quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons , Green Bay Packers , New York Jets and Minnesota...
, causing a fumble while Dewayne Robertson
Dewayne Robertson
Dewayne Jamar Robertson is an American football defensive tackle who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the New York Jets fourth overall in the 2003 NFL Draft...
recovered for the Jets. Out of a no-huddle offense, Pennington quickly engineered a scoring drive, a 12-yard touchdown pass to Jerricho Cotchery
Jerricho Cotchery
Cotchery was selected by the New York Jets in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL draft.-New York Jets:In 2004, Cotchery caught 6 passes for 60 yards in 12 games as the team's 5th receiver...
.
After a Packers punt, Pennington found Chris Baker and Cotchery on long completions to set up Cedric Houston
Cedric Houston
Cedric Leonard Houston is a former American football running back of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the sixth round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played college football at Tennessee.-Early years:...
's 3-yard touchdown run for a 17–0 Jets lead. Dave Rayner
Dave Rayner
David Michael "Dave" Rayner is an American football placekicker who currently plays for the Buffalo Bills. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the sixth round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
would miss a 40-yard field goal wide right for Green Bay, and the Jets drove to another score, this time a 1-yard touchdown run by Houston. Favre would then get intercepted by Andre Dyson
Andre Dyson
Andre Dyson is a former American football cornerback. He was originally drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He played college football at Utah. Currently, he coaches cornerbacks at Weber State, in Ogden, Utah.He is the younger brother of former NFL wide...
, and the Jets would get fortunate on the next drive, surviving a Laveranues Coles
Laveranues Coles
Laveranues Leon Coles is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the third round of the 2000 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida State University....
fumble that Cotchery recovered, and Baker had a couple of key grabs on the drive, including a 1-yard touchdown catch with 13 seconds to play in the half for a dominating 31–0 lead.
Out of the gate in the second half, Green Bay resorted to a rushing game, and the first drive worked, with Rayner kicking a 34-yard field goal. Pennington then got intercepted by Charles Woodson
Charles Woodson
Charles C. Woodson is an American football cornerback for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League . He played college football at the University of Michigan for the Michigan Wolverines. In 1997, Woodson led the Wolverines to a national championship...
. Green Bay could not convert a 4th-and-1 from the New York 33-yard line, but Pennington threw another pick, this time to Patrick Dendy
Patrick Dendy
Patrick Dendy is an American football cornerback who is currently a free agent. He was originally signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2005...
. Green Bay made Pennington pay this time, as Favre found Donald Driver
Donald Driver
Donald Jerome Driver is an American football wide receiver and children's author. He plays for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League...
for a 20-yard touchdown to cut the lead to 31–10. Green Bay then recovered the ensuing onside kick, and the Packers had all the momentum. But the Jets forced a punt and then drove to a touchdown, with Houston picking up a big run and Leon Washington
Leon Washington
Leon Washington is an American football running back for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida State. He is married to Charity Washington with whom he has a son...
finishing the drive with a 20-yard touchdown run. That effectively ended the game.
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter- NYJ – FG NugentMike NugentMike Nugent is an American football placekicker for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
24, 9:55. - NYJ – CotcheryJerricho CotcheryCotchery was selected by the New York Jets in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL draft.-New York Jets:In 2004, Cotchery caught 6 passes for 60 yards in 12 games as the team's 5th receiver...
12 pass from PenningtonChad PenningtonJames Chadwick "Chad" Pennington is an American football quarterback who played in the National Football League for ten years. He is currently a football analyst with FOX Sports though he plans to return to playing after recovering from an injury...
(Nugent kick), 4:45.
2nd Quarter
- NYJ – HoustonCedric HoustonCedric Leonard Houston is a former American football running back of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the sixth round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played college football at Tennessee.-Early years:...
3 run (Nugent kick), 12:40. - NYJ – Houston 1 run (Nugent kick), 6:17.
- NYJ – Baker 1 pass from Pennington (Nugent kick), :09.
3rd Quarter
- GB – FG RaynerDave RaynerDavid Michael "Dave" Rayner is an American football placekicker who currently plays for the Buffalo Bills. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the sixth round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
34, 8:32. - GB – DriverDonald DriverDonald Jerome Driver is an American football wide receiver and children's author. He plays for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League...
20 pass from FavreBrett FavreBrett Lorenzo Favre is a former American football quarterback who spent the majority of his career with the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League . He was a 20-year veteran of the NFL, having played quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons , Green Bay Packers , New York Jets and Minnesota...
(Rayner kick), 1:16.
4th Quarter
- NYJ – WashingtonLeon WashingtonLeon Washington is an American football running back for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida State. He is married to Charity Washington with whom he has a son...
20 run (Nugent kick), 11:30.
Week 14: vs. Buffalo Bills
Game Summary
Buffalo struck first late in the first quarter when Willis McGaheeWillis McGahee
Willis Andrew McGahee III is an American football running back for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the first round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
broke through a hole and ran 57 yards to the end zone. Justin Miller put the Jets in good field position with the ensuing kickoff return, and after Chad Pennington
Chad Pennington
James Chadwick "Chad" Pennington is an American football quarterback who played in the National Football League for ten years. He is currently a football analyst with FOX Sports though he plans to return to playing after recovering from an injury...
found Laveranues Coles
Laveranues Coles
Laveranues Leon Coles is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the third round of the 2000 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida State University....
on a long completion, he found him on a 10-yard pass for a touchdown, knotting the game at 7. On the next drive, Anthony Thomas
Anthony Thomas (American football)
Anthony Jermaine Thomas is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the running backs coach at at West Virginia Wesleyan College. Thomas was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft...
fumbled for Buffalo and Miller recovered. Mike Nugent
Mike Nugent
Mike Nugent is an American football placekicker for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
would knock in a 30-yard field goal to give the Jets the lead.
With 4:59 left in the half, J.P. Losman
J.P. Losman
Jonathan Paul "J. P." Losman is an American football quarterback for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills 22nd overall in the 2004 NFL Draft...
found Lee Evans on a deep pass downfield that went for a 77-yard touchdown. On the first play after the two-minute warning, Pennington was intercepted by Nate Clements
Nate Clements
Nathan D. Clements is an American football cornerback for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills 21st overall in the 2001 NFL Draft...
, who returned it 42 yards for a score. Nugent would add a 38-yard field goal right before halftime, and the Jets trailed 21–13 at halftime. The defenses held firm for a majority of the third quarter, before Losman found Robert Royal
Robert Royal
Robert Shelton Royal is an American football tight end who is currently a free agent of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the fifth round of the 2002 NFL Draft...
on a 6-yard touchdown pass. Rian Lindell
Rian Lindell
Rian Lindell is an American football placekicker for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. He was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2000...
's 34-yard field goal with 8:04 remaining capped the scoring.
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter- BUF – McGaheeWillis McGaheeWillis Andrew McGahee III is an American football running back for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the first round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
57 run (LindellRian LindellRian Lindell is an American football placekicker for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. He was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2000...
kick, 4:22. - NYJ – ColesLaveranues ColesLaveranues Leon Coles is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the third round of the 2000 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida State University....
10 pass from PenningtonChad PenningtonJames Chadwick "Chad" Pennington is an American football quarterback who played in the National Football League for ten years. He is currently a football analyst with FOX Sports though he plans to return to playing after recovering from an injury...
(NugentMike NugentMike Nugent is an American football placekicker for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
kick), 1:08.
2nd Quarter
- NYJ – FG Nugent 30, 10:58.
- BUF – Evans 77 pass from LosmanJ.P. LosmanJonathan Paul "J. P." Losman is an American football quarterback for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills 22nd overall in the 2004 NFL Draft...
(Lindell kick), 4:47. - BUF – ClementsNate ClementsNathan D. Clements is an American football cornerback for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills 21st overall in the 2001 NFL Draft...
58 interception return (Lindell kick), 1:47. - NYJ – FG Nugent 38, :01.
3rd Quarter
- BUF – RoyalRobert RoyalRobert Shelton Royal is an American football tight end who is currently a free agent of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the fifth round of the 2002 NFL Draft...
6 pass from Losman (Lindell kick), 1:58.
4th Quarter
- BUF – FG Lindell 34, 7:59.
Week 15: at Minnesota Vikings
Game Summary
On the second play of the game, Chad PenningtonChad Pennington
James Chadwick "Chad" Pennington is an American football quarterback who played in the National Football League for ten years. He is currently a football analyst with FOX Sports though he plans to return to playing after recovering from an injury...
was sacked by Nick Harris
Nick Harris
Nicholas John Harris is an American football punter for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the fourth round of the 2001 NFL Draft...
, and E.J. Henderson recovered. Three plays later, Brad Johnson
Brad Johnson (American football)
James Bradley Johnson is a former National Football League Super Bowl-winning quarterback. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the ninth round of the 1992 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida State.-Early years:Brad went to Charles D...
tossed a 30-yard touchdown pass to Travis Taylor, and the Jets trailed 7–0 two minutes into the game. The Jets immediately responded, with Brad Smith making a key grab on the drive that ended with Cedric Houston
Cedric Houston
Cedric Leonard Houston is a former American football running back of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the sixth round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played college football at Tennessee.-Early years:...
's 6-yard touchdown run. On the next Jets' drive, Mike Nugent
Mike Nugent
Mike Nugent is an American football placekicker for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
was ready to attempt a 37-yard field goal, but holder Ben Graham botched the snap, and the Jets could not score. Nugent would make a 25-yard field goal early in the second quarter to give the Jets a 10–7 lead.
Pennington found Jerricho Cotchery
Jerricho Cotchery
Cotchery was selected by the New York Jets in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL draft.-New York Jets:In 2004, Cotchery caught 6 passes for 60 yards in 12 games as the team's 5th receiver...
and Laveranues Coles
Laveranues Coles
Laveranues Leon Coles is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the third round of the 2000 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida State University....
for big completions on the drive that ended with Coles grabbing a 21-yard touchdown pass from Pennington. Nugent would make a 52-yard field goal for a 20–7 lead before Ryan Longwell
Ryan Longwell
Ryan Walker Longwell is an American football placekicker for the Minnesota Vikings in the National Football League. After playing college football for the California Golden Bears, he started his professional football career with the San Francisco 49ers, but never played a game for the franchise...
missed a 49-yard field goal wide right for Minnesota, giving the Jets prime field position, and Nugent made a 45-yard field goal as time expired for a 23–7 halftime lead. With a large lead, the Jets controlled the clock in the second half, going on a nearly eight-minute drive that ended with a 20-yard field goal from Nugent, his fourth of the game and the final Jets score.
Johnson was pulled at the beginning of the fourth quarter for backup Tarvaris Jackson
Tarvaris Jackson
Tarvaris DeAndre Jackson is an American football quarterback who is currently a member of the Seattle Seahawks. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
, and Jackson led Minnesota on a scoring drive, finding Troy Williamson
Troy Williamson
-Minnesota Vikings:The Vikings needed a receiver with deep speed after trading Randy Moss to Oakland, drafting Williamson with the 7th overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft...
on two long passes before connecting with Mewelde Moore
Mewelde Moore
Mewelde Jaem Cadere Moore is an American football running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. He was originally drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL Draft...
on a 35-yard touchdown. Both the two-point conversion and ensuing onside kick failed, but Pennington was intercepted by Harris. Jackson led the Vikings to the New York 14-yard line with two minutes to go, but David Barrett intercepted Jackson, effectively ending the game.
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter- MIN – Taylor 30 pass from JohnsonBrad Johnson (American football)James Bradley Johnson is a former National Football League Super Bowl-winning quarterback. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the ninth round of the 1992 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida State.-Early years:Brad went to Charles D...
(LongwellRyan LongwellRyan Walker Longwell is an American football placekicker for the Minnesota Vikings in the National Football League. After playing college football for the California Golden Bears, he started his professional football career with the San Francisco 49ers, but never played a game for the franchise...
kick), 12:53. - NYJ – HoustonCedric HoustonCedric Leonard Houston is a former American football running back of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the sixth round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played college football at Tennessee.-Early years:...
6 run (NugentMike NugentMike Nugent is an American football placekicker for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
kick), 6:20.
2nd Quarter
- NYJ – FG Nugent 25, 11:32.
- NYJ – ColesLaveranues ColesLaveranues Leon Coles is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the third round of the 2000 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida State University....
21 pass from PenningtonChad PenningtonJames Chadwick "Chad" Pennington is an American football quarterback who played in the National Football League for ten years. He is currently a football analyst with FOX Sports though he plans to return to playing after recovering from an injury...
(Nugent kick), 6:12. - NYJ – FG Nugent 52, 2:48.
- NYJ – FG Nugent 45, :02.
3rd Quarter
- NYJ – FG Nugent 20, 7:41.
4th Quarter
- MIN – MooreMewelde MooreMewelde Jaem Cadere Moore is an American football running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. He was originally drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL Draft...
35 pass from JacksonTarvaris JacksonTarvaris DeAndre Jackson is an American football quarterback who is currently a member of the Seattle Seahawks. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
(pass failed), 6:15.
Week 16: at Miami Dolphins
Game Summary
With the rest of Week 16's games being played on Christmas EveChristmas Eve
Christmas Eve refers to the evening or entire day preceding Christmas Day, a widely celebrated festival commemorating the birth of Jesus of Nazareth that takes place on December 25...
, the Jets, due to losses by Jacksonville and Cincinnati, controlled their own playoff destiny with two victories.
The game was played in a driving rainstorm as both teams struggled to move the ball early. With 49 seconds remaining in the first quarter, Mike Nugent
Mike Nugent
Mike Nugent is an American football placekicker for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
was ready to attempt a 34-yard field goal, but holder Ben Graham could not handle the snap in the slippery conditions, and the Jets were denied. It was the second straight week Graham had flubbed a snap, but this one could be blamed on the wet conditions. The two teams would trade punts for the rest of the half.
In the third quarter, Dolphins coach Nick Saban
Nick Saban
Nicholas Lou "Nick" Saban is the head coach of the University of Alabama's Crimson Tide football team. Saban has previously served as head coach of the National Football League's Miami Dolphins and three other NCAA universities: LSU, Michigan State and Toledo...
inserted backup quarterback Cleo Lemon
Cleo Lemon
Cleo "Cleonardo" Lemon, Jr. is a Canadian football quarterback in the Canadian Football League who is currently a free agent. He most recently played for the Toronto Argonauts. He was signed by the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2002...
into the game, replacing an ineffective Joey Harrington
Joey Harrington
John Joseph "Joey" Harrington, Jr. is a former American football quarterback. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions third overall in the 2002 NFL Draft, where he played for most of his professional career. He ranks third all-time in Detroit history in pass completions, with 986...
. Finally, the Jets went on a drive with 6:15 left in the third quarter, with Chad Pennington
Chad Pennington
James Chadwick "Chad" Pennington is an American football quarterback who played in the National Football League for ten years. He is currently a football analyst with FOX Sports though he plans to return to playing after recovering from an injury...
scrambling for 15 yards and moving into the Dolphins' red zone when Yeremiah Bell
Yeremiah Bell
Yeremiah Neavius Bell is an American football safety for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Dolphins in the sixth round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
was flagged for pass interference. Nugent knocked in a 22-yard field goal for the first points of the game. But Lemon rallied Miami, completing two long passes to Randy McMichael
Randy McMichael
-Miami Dolphins:McMichael was selected in the fourth round in the 2002 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins. The pick used by Dolphins to select him was originally acquired from the New Orleans Saints in the deal that sent running back Ricky Williams to the Miami Dolphins.McMichael made his NFL debut...
and Ronnie Brown
Ronnie Brown
Ronnie G. Brown, Jr. is an American football running back for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League . After graduating from Cartersville High School in Georgia, Brown attended Auburn University to play college football for the Auburn Tigers...
picking up a long run before Lemon tossed a 7-yard touchdown pass to McMichael, and the Dolphins led 7–3 with 13:26 left in the game.
Pennington showed poise in leading the Jets back to take the lead, completing key passes to Brad Smith and Leon Washington
Leon Washington
Leon Washington is an American football running back for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida State. He is married to Charity Washington with whom he has a son...
before finding Cotchery on a 31-yard completion to the Miami 1-yard line, but the Jets challenged, saying that Cotchery was brought down after he broke the plane of the end zone, and the referee agreed, giving the Jets a 10–7 lead with 8:04 remaining in the game. Miami was then forced to punt, but caught a break when Donnie Jones
Donnie Jones
Donald Scott Jones, Jr. is an American football punter for the St. Louis Rams of the National Football League. He played collegiately at Louisiana State University.-High school career:...
' kick bounced off the elbow of Jets linebacker Brad Kassell
Brad Kassell
Robert Bradley Kassell is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent in 2002...
, and long snapper John Denney
John Denney
John S. Denney is an American football long snapper for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was signed by the Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2005...
recovered at the Jets' 42-yard line. Lemon led Miami downfield, completing key passes to Derek Hagan
Derek Hagan
Derek Steven Hagan, Jr. is an American football wide receiver who is currently a wide receiver for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. Hagan most recently played for the Oakland Raiders of National Football League. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the third round of the 2006...
and Sammy Morris
Sammy Morris
Samuel "Sammy" Morris III is an American football running back who is a free agent in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the fifth round of the 2000 NFL Draft...
before Mare tied the game with a 25-yard field goal.
With 2:09 to play, the Jets' biggest play of the season took place. Pennington flipped a short screen pass to Washington, who found a hole and scampered 64 yards down to the Miami 16-yard line. After three runs by Kevan Barlow, Nugent kicked a 30-yard field goal with 10 seconds to play, and the Jets had their biggest win of the year.
Scoring Summary
3rd Quarter- NYJ – FG NugentMike NugentMike Nugent is an American football placekicker for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
22, 2:25.
4th Quarter
- MIA – McMichaelRandy McMichael-Miami Dolphins:McMichael was selected in the fourth round in the 2002 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins. The pick used by Dolphins to select him was originally acquired from the New Orleans Saints in the deal that sent running back Ricky Williams to the Miami Dolphins.McMichael made his NFL debut...
7 pass from LemonCleo LemonCleo "Cleonardo" Lemon, Jr. is a Canadian football quarterback in the Canadian Football League who is currently a free agent. He most recently played for the Toronto Argonauts. He was signed by the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2002...
(MareOlindo MareOlindo Franco Mare is an American football placekicker for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League. He was originally signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 1996...
kick), 13:26. - NYJ – CotcheryJerricho CotcheryCotchery was selected by the New York Jets in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL draft.-New York Jets:In 2004, Cotchery caught 6 passes for 60 yards in 12 games as the team's 5th receiver...
32 pass from PenningtonChad PenningtonJames Chadwick "Chad" Pennington is an American football quarterback who played in the National Football League for ten years. He is currently a football analyst with FOX Sports though he plans to return to playing after recovering from an injury...
(Nugent kick), 8:04. - MIA – FG Mare 25, 2:09.
- NYJ – FG Nugent 30, :10.
Week 17: vs. Oakland Raiders
Game Summary
For the Jets, it was simple: a win would qualify them for the playoffs, only a year after a disastrous 4–12 season. After the teams traded punts, Aaron Brooks completed a pass to Johnnie MorantJohnnie Morant
Johnnie Morant, Jr. is a Canadian football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the fifth round of the 2004 NFL Draft...
for a first down, but David Barrett forced a fumble and Hank Poteat
Hank Poteat
Henry Major "Hank" Poteat, II is an American football cornerback who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round of the 2000 NFL Draft. He played college football at Pittsburgh.Poteat has also played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New England Patriots and...
recovered. Brad Smith had a key run on the next drive, and Chad Pennington
Chad Pennington
James Chadwick "Chad" Pennington is an American football quarterback who played in the National Football League for ten years. He is currently a football analyst with FOX Sports though he plans to return to playing after recovering from an injury...
then tossed a 1-yard touchdown pass to Chris Baker
Chris Baker (football player)
Chris Baker is a former American football tight end. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the third round of the 2002 NFL Draft. He played college football at Michigan State.-New York Jets:...
. Oakland later went on a drive to the Jets' 10-yard line, but on third down, Kerry Rhodes
Kerry Rhodes
Kerry Rhodes is an American football safety for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the fourth round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
sacked Brooks, forcing Oakland to settle for a Sebastian Janikowski
Sebastian Janikowski
Sebastian Janikowski is a left-footed Polish placekicker who plays for the National Football League's Oakland Raiders. He is nicknamed The Polish Cannon because he is considered to have one of the strongest kicking legs in the league, and leads the NFL in kickoffs for touchbacks. He lives in...
field goal. Pennington led the Jets on a key score during a "two-minute drill," bringing the Jets into position for a Mike Nugent
Mike Nugent
Mike Nugent is an American football placekicker for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
35-yard field goal and a 10–3 halftime lead.
Pennington would find Laveranues Coles
Laveranues Coles
Laveranues Leon Coles is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the third round of the 2000 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida State University....
, Leon Washington
Leon Washington
Leon Washington is an American football running back for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida State. He is married to Charity Washington with whom he has a son...
, and Baker on long gains on the first drive of the second half before Nugent kicked a 22-yard field goal. The ensuing kickoff was returned 92 yards by Chris Carr to the Jets' 1-yard line, but the play was negated by a holding penalty on Jarrett Cooper. The Jets stopped Brooks on a 4th-and-inches on the drive, and effectively iced the game and a playoff spot when Leon Washington
Leon Washington
Leon Washington is an American football running back for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida State. He is married to Charity Washington with whom he has a son...
scored on a 15-yard touchdown run around end. On the next Oakland drive, Eric Barton
Eric Barton
Eric Barton is a former American football linebacker who played for twelve seasons in the National Football League. He played college football at Maryland before he was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the fifth round of the 1999 NFL Draft...
sacked Brooks, forcing a fumble, and Bobby Hamilton
Bobby Hamilton (football player)
Bobby Hamilton is an American football defensive end who is currently a free agent. He was originally signed by the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 1994...
recovered. Nugent's 35-yard field goal capped the scoring. When the Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
lost at home to the San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
, the Jets secured the top wild-card berth and a date in New England in the wild-card round of the playoffs.
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter- NYJ – BakerChris Baker (football player)Chris Baker is a former American football tight end. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the third round of the 2002 NFL Draft. He played college football at Michigan State.-New York Jets:...
1 pass from PenningtonChad PenningtonJames Chadwick "Chad" Pennington is an American football quarterback who played in the National Football League for ten years. He is currently a football analyst with FOX Sports though he plans to return to playing after recovering from an injury...
(NugentMike NugentMike Nugent is an American football placekicker for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
kick), 4:54.
2nd Quarter
- OAK – FG JanikowskiSebastian JanikowskiSebastian Janikowski is a left-footed Polish placekicker who plays for the National Football League's Oakland Raiders. He is nicknamed The Polish Cannon because he is considered to have one of the strongest kicking legs in the league, and leads the NFL in kickoffs for touchbacks. He lives in...
35, 10:36. - NYJ – FG Nugent 35, :03.
3rd Quarter
- NYJ – FG Nugent 22, 7:45.
4th Quarter
- NYJ – WashingtonLeon WashingtonLeon Washington is an American football running back for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida State. He is married to Charity Washington with whom he has a son...
15 run (Nugent kick), 13:37. - NYJ – FG Nugent 35, 11:43.
Postseason Schedule
| Round | Date | Opponent | Result | Game site | NFL Recap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wild Card | January 7, 2007 | New England Patriots New England Patriots The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National... |
L 37–16 | Gillette Stadium Gillette Stadium Gillette Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium located in Foxborough, Massachusetts, 21 miles southwest of downtown Boston and from downtown Providence, Rhode Island. It serves as the home stadium and administrative offices for the New England Patriots football team and the New England Revolution... |
Recap |
Wild-Card Round: at New England Patriots
Game Summary
The Jets and Patriots had split their two games of the 2006 season, with the Jets winning the second matchup. Whereas the Jets won that game primarily by blitzing quarterback Tom BradyTom Brady
Thomas Edward Patrick "Tom" Brady, Jr. is an American football quarterback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . After playing college football at Michigan, Brady was drafted by the Patriots in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft.He has played in four Super Bowls,...
, this time Brady opened the game with a no-huddle offense, quickly scoring a touchdown on their opening drive. The Jets eventually went ahead, 10–7, on a 77-yard scamper on a short pass from Pennington to Jerricho Cotchery
Jerricho Cotchery
Cotchery was selected by the New York Jets in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL draft.-New York Jets:In 2004, Cotchery caught 6 passes for 60 yards in 12 games as the team's 5th receiver...
, but the Patriots responded with a field goal, and then a nearly seven-minute drive to close the first half with a touchdown, putting them ahead, 17–10.
In the second half, the Jets and Patriots each exchanged field goals, keeping the differential at seven. Arguably the biggest play of the game came when Jets quarterback Chad Pennington
Chad Pennington
James Chadwick "Chad" Pennington is an American football quarterback who played in the National Football League for ten years. He is currently a football analyst with FOX Sports though he plans to return to playing after recovering from an injury...
attempted a screen pass to Jerricho Cotchery
Jerricho Cotchery
Cotchery was selected by the New York Jets in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL draft.-New York Jets:In 2004, Cotchery caught 6 passes for 60 yards in 12 games as the team's 5th receiver...
. The pass was tipped and the ball fell to the ground, but because Pennington had made the pass slightly behind him, it was considered a lateral, and thus a fumbled ball. New England defensive tackle Vince Wilfork
Vince Wilfork
-2004–06 seasons:The Patriots drafted Wilfork with the 21st overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft. In his rookie 2004 season with the Patriots, he compiled two sacks, 42 tackles, and three deflected passes...
picked up the ball and ran it 35 yards to the Jets' 15-yard line, ending any momentum the Jets had. The Patriots were able to convert on the turnover, and made it a ten-point game going into the fourth quarter.
In the fourth, the Jets again pulled to within seven points, but the Patriots again marched down the field, eating more than six minutes off the clock. The drive culminated in a seven-yard touchdown pass to running back Kevin Faulk
Kevin Faulk
Kevin Troy Faulk is an American football running back for the New England Patriots of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Patriots in the second round of the 1999 NFL Draft. He played college football at LSU.As of 2010, Faulk is the longest-tenured current member of the Patriots,...
. The final nail in the coffin for the Jets was an interception by Asante Samuel
Asante Samuel
Asante T. Samuel is an American football cornerback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League . He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the fourth round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
, which was returned for a touchdown with less than five minutes to play. After the game, Patriots coach Bill Belichick
Bill Belichick
William Stephen "Bill" Belichick is an American football head coach for the New England Patriots of the National Football League. After spending his first 15 seasons in the league as an assistant coach, Belichick got his first head coaching job with the Cleveland Browns in 1991...
and Jets coach Eric Mangini
Eric Mangini
Eric Mangini is the former head coach of the Cleveland Browns and New York Jets of the National Football League and current NFL analyst for ESPN.-College:...
, who were not on good terms during this season, embraced in the middle of the field.
Scoring summary
1st Quarter- NE – DillonCorey DillonCorey James Dillon is a former American football running back. He played his ten-season career for the Cincinnati Bengals and the New England Patriots, wearing jersey number 28 for both teams. Dillon played college football the University of Washington where he wore the number 4.-High school...
11 run (GostkowskiStephen GostkowskiStephen Carroll Gostkowski is a placekicker for the New England Patriots of the National Football League...
kick), 11:53. Patriots 7–0. Drive: 10 plays, 65 yards, 3:07. - NYJ – FG NugentMike NugentMike Nugent is an American football placekicker for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
28, 2:36. Patriots 7–3. Drive: 4 plays, 5 yards, 1:30.
2nd Quarter
- NYJ – CotcheryJerricho CotcheryCotchery was selected by the New York Jets in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL draft.-New York Jets:In 2004, Cotchery caught 6 passes for 60 yards in 12 games as the team's 5th receiver...
77 pass from PenningtonChad PenningtonJames Chadwick "Chad" Pennington is an American football quarterback who played in the National Football League for ten years. He is currently a football analyst with FOX Sports though he plans to return to playing after recovering from an injury...
(Nugent kick), 14:45. Jets 10–7. Drive: 3 plays, 80 yards, :17. - NE – FG Gostkowski 20, 10:57. Tied 10–10. Drive: 10 plays, 56 yards, 3:48.
- NE – GrahamDaniel GrahamDaniel Lawrence Grahamhttp://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/G/GrahDa00.htm is an American football tight end for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the first round of the 2002 NFL Draft...
1 pass from BradyTom BradyThomas Edward Patrick "Tom" Brady, Jr. is an American football quarterback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . After playing college football at Michigan, Brady was drafted by the Patriots in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft.He has played in four Super Bowls,...
(Gostkowski kick), :11. Patriots 17–10. Drive: 15 plays, 80 yards, 6:54.
3rd Quarter
- NYJ – FG Nugent 21, 8:19. Patriots 17–13. Drive: 13 plays, 73 yards, 6:41.
- NE – FG Gostowski 40, 4:22. Patriots 20–13. Drive: 8 plays, 52 yards, 3:57.
- NE – FG Gostowski 28, :04. Patriots 23–13. Drive: 4 plays, 5 yards, 1:39.
4th Quarter
- NYJ – FG Nugent 37, 11:39. Patriots 23–16. Drive: 8 plays, 61 yards, 3:25.
- NE – FaulkKevin FaulkKevin Troy Faulk is an American football running back for the New England Patriots of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Patriots in the second round of the 1999 NFL Draft. He played college football at LSU.As of 2010, Faulk is the longest-tenured current member of the Patriots,...
7 pass from Brady (Gostkowski kick), 5:16. Patriots 30–16. Drive: 13 plays, 63 yards, 6:23. - NE – SamuelAsante SamuelAsante T. Samuel is an American football cornerback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League . He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the fourth round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
36 interception return (Gostkowski kick), 4:54. Patriots 37–16.