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Jets hold on to beat Dolphins in debut of Favre

Sep 7, 2008 - 10:37 PM By Chris Stock PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

MIAMI (Ticker) -- Brett Favre could only watch from the sideline as Chad Pennington nearly spoiled his much-anticipated debut with the New York Jets.

Cornerback Darrelle Revis intercepted Pennington's pass in the end zone with five seconds remaining as the Jets held on for a 20-14 season-opening victory over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.

New York also spoiled the coaching debut of Miami's Tony Sparano, who is facing a major rebuilding job with the Dolphins coming off a 1-15 season.

"I just hate losing," said Pennington, who led the Dolphins to the Jets' 18-yard line on their final possession. "I hate it as bad as you could imagine. It doesn't matter if it was against the Jets or the other 31 teams. A loss hurts bad."

Pennington, who spent the first eight seasons of his career with the Jets, was released when New York acquired Favre from the Green Bay Packers in the offseason. He then signed with the Dolphins and started against his former club in the season opener.

It may have been strange to see the 38-year-old Favre in a uniform other than the green and gold of Green Bay, where he spent the previous 16 years. But the three-time league MVP played well, if not spectacular, in his Jets debut, completing 15-of-22 passes for 194 yards and two touchdowns.

"It was shaky, but it's a good start," Favre said. "It's a win and you can never question a win."

Favre threw a 56-yard TD pass to Jerricho Cotchery in the first quarter and a 22-yard scoring strike to Chansi Stuckey in the second period.

On the first score, Favre fooled the Dolphins with a fake into the line, then hit a wide-open Cotchery in the secondary for an easy score.

"Anytime you're running the ball effectively like we were running, you're able to do some play action stuff, and we were able to take advantage of that," Cotchery said. "The offensive line did a great job of selling the run, and Brett made a great throw."

On the second TD, Favre's improvisational skills were on full display. Facing a 4th-and-12, he somehow avoided a sack and lofted a pass that hung in the air for a number of seconds. Stuckey made a leaping grab in the end zone for the touchdown and a 13-7 lead with 6:52 remaining in the first half.

"You don't know whether or not (Favre's) going to throw it, and we obviously, somewhere along the way there, lost leverage on the ball," Sparano said. "I think he got hit on the play, and the ball ended up in the air. Sometimes it's leading a good life."

The Jets went for it on fourth down because kicker Mike Nugent was unavailable after straining a thigh muscle on a missed 32-yard field goal in the third quarter. Nugent later returned in the third period.

New York running back Thomas Jones rushed for 101 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries, and Cotchery caught three passes for 80 yards.

"It's another step in the process of getting our chemistry," Cotchery said about playing with Favre. "I think we did that, and our communication on the sideline was great."

The Jets made it 20-7 on Jones' 6-yard touchdown run with 1:08 left in the third quarter.

While Pennington's lack of arm strength was criticized often, no one ever questioned his toughness, and it was on display again Sunday.

"It was a typical Dolphin-Jet game that came down to the final play like it always does," Pennington said. "One play away."

Pennington completed 26-of-43 passes for 251 yards. He threw for 163 yards in the fourth period, including an 11-yard pass to David Martin that pulled the Dolphins within 20-14 with 3:27 remaining.

The Dolphins forced a punt, and Pennington completed five passes on the ensuing drive before the Jets' defense finally stopped him.

"(Pennington) was very excited," said Dolphins offensive lineman Jake Long, the No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft. "He was jacked up to go, but we just couldn't get it done."