Jets-Dolphins: Pennington Puts Final Nail In Gang Green's Coffin, Fins Win 24-17

On Sunday the once playoff bound Jets were finally grounded after being put of their misery at the hands of the Miami Dolphins 24-17. Doing most of the burying was former Jet Chad Pennington who returned to the Meadowlands for the first time since being cut by the team in early August.

In a move that said win now with the acquisition of Brett Favre the team became the NFL's version of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde as almost every week brought some kind of surprise. Following their latest debacle on the west coast against the Seahawks the Jets needed a win and a loss by the Patriots or the Ravens to qualify for the second season. 

By the time kickoff rolled around the Patriots had already won their game nullifying any hopes of capturing the AFC East for the Jets while putting all the pressure on them simeltanisuly. The Jets would receive the ball first after the Dolphins opted to kick with the coin toss win.

However neither team would get anything done in the quarter with the exception of four Miami penalties that prohibited them to enter FG range. The Jets "guess who?" defense would actually get to Pennington in the early going of the second quarter forcing him to fumble the ball which was pounced on by Jason Trusnik at their own 49. 

Favre would hook up with Washington and Cotchery before finding Coles for a 13-yard score. The Jets would fail on the two point conversion that left many scratching their heads on why the play was called to begin with. The teams would exchange punts before Miami found their way onto the scoreboard.

It would take Pennington five plays to put his team up after finding Ted Ginn for a 27-yard TD. Thanks to the failed two point attempt Miami led 7-6. 15 seconds later Miami would score again this time off a Favre interception directly into the hands of DE Phillip Merling. It would be his second of three on the day.

The Jets would settle for a FG from Jay Feely from 28-yards out to make it 14-9 in favor of the Dolphins going into the half.

The Dolphins would attempt to punt the ball away but instead it went through Brandon Fields who recovered his team's 28. The Jets would need three plays to regain the lead when Washington rushed for 10 yards and the Jets converted on another two-point attempt making the score 17-14.

Much like the Jets season, the game would be a roller coaster ride as word spread throughout the stadium that Baltimore was running away with the lone wild card spot. Whether they gave up from the news we will never know but the two-point conversion would be the last time they got on the board for 2008.

Meanwhile Pennington would waste no time finding the end-zone, this time connecting with TE Anthony Fasano for a 20 yard TD just minutes after connecting with Ginn for 44 yards. It would put the team up 21-17. 64 yards on just two plays sums up the incapability of Gang Green's defensive unit.

The Jets would punt on their next two possessions The Fins would add a 48-yard FG to make the score 24-17 and Favre would throw his third interception of the day ending the Jets up and down season.

As the final whistle blew many fans remained in their seats most of them in orange jerseys to watch their team celebrate their first AFC East crown since 2000 snapping a seven year drought of playoff football in the process. They become the second team in NFL history to make 10-game improvements.They face the Ravens next week in Miami

For the Jets they go into the off-season wondering what went wrong after having a solid grasp on the division lead. Will Mangini return? Is this Favre's last game? Who gets the axe for this disappointing season?

The Good:the Jets kind of showed up but in the end it didn't matter so this award goes to the weather. A late December game felt like a mid September clash thank you mother nature

The Bad:Mangini's two-point play calling was pretty sketchy

The Ugly:Favre's three INT's, the wide open TD's allowed by the defense, the special teams, I'll stop here.

Game Ball:After spending eight years with the team he would beat Chad Pennington came in and got the job done. Finishing 22 of 30 with 200 yards and two TDs.