Article:Pats are Still the Pats as They Top the Jets 19-10

No quarterback making their first start against Brett Favre had ever won against him before this afternoon, on a hot and humid day in East Rutherford, NJ. The Jets came in riding high off beating the Dolphins last week, looking to take advantage of life after Brady.

But it was not to be. After a Jay Feely missed field goal in the first quarter, the Patriots march down the field on a 12 play, 76 yard drive, that ended with a Stephen Gostkowski 21 yard field goal putting the Pats up 3-0. In the second, Gostkowski added a second field goal from 37 yards out to put New England up 6-0. The ensuing Jets drive takes 11 plays over 5:48 before Jay Feely adds a 21 yard field goal, set up by a 54 yard completion to Laveranues Coles, closing the half at 6-3 in favor of New England.

New England breaks some space open in the game, set up by a Brandon Meriweather interception of a Brett Favre pass intended for Bubba Franks, setting the Pats up from the Jets 31 yard line. 6 plays and a Sammy Morris 1 yard touchdown later put the Patriots up by 10, 13-3. Another Gostkowski field goal put the score 16-3.

The Jets finally broke through for a TD, driving into the 4th quarter and ending a drive with a Chansi Stuckey 2 yard TD pass from Favre that cut the lead to 16-10. However, on the ensuing drive, the defense was unable to give the offense one more chance, with Lamont Jordan rushing for key yards, and Stephen Gostkowsky capped the 11 play drive with a 27 yard field goal to put the game out of reach at 19-10.

For the game, Brett Favre was 18-26, 181 yards, 1 TD and the one costly interception. Thomas Jones led the rushing attack, rushing 17 times for 70 yards. Coles led the receivers with 3 catches for 72 yards.

In his first NFL start, Matt Cassel was 16-23 for 165 yards. Lamont Jordan led the rushing with 11 carries for 62 yards. The pesky Wes Welker led the Pats receiving troup with 7 catches for 72 yards.

Next up for the Jets, a Monday night matchup with the San Diego Chargers. It doens't get easy for them in the first quarter of the season.