Jets-Pats: Different QBs, Same Result as Gang Green Falls 19-10

On Sunday afternoon, the New York Jets faced off against a familiar foe in the New England Patriots. However, this affair was different from encounters in the past, as both teams had different quarterbacks.

For the Jets, Brett Favre made his home debut, while the Pats began life without Tom Brady and passed the torch temporarily to Matt Cassel.

Cassel had not started a game since high school, but he played as if those days were not far behind, going 16-of-23 with 165 yards but no TDs. Favre would finish going 18-for-26 for 181 yards with a TD and an interception.
 
The Jets and Favre managed to move the ball effectively in their first drive, going 67 yards, only to have it end with newly signed Jay Feely doing his best Mike Nugent impression by missing the 31-yard field goal.

New England would respond by taking the ball to the Jets three-yard line, but they were stopped twice and opted to go for the easy FG. The Pats would add a second FG in the second quarter, making the score 6-0 with 13 minutes left.

The Jets would finally get on the board on the following drive. Favre would connect with Laveranues Coles on a 56-yard catch, and Thomas Jones would bring the ball to the Pats' three. No one could penetrate the Pats' defensive line, and the Jets had to settle for the field goal, which surprisingly went in this time around.

The teams would go to the interval with the score 6-3. The Jets would begin the second half by forcing the Pats to go three-and-out after two sacks on Cassel, who was untouchable in the first half. On the following drive, Favre would throw his first interception as a Jet.

To make matters worse, Gang Green failed to stay clear of flags, which seemed to be thrown every play, making any progression nearly impossible and forcing the Jets to punt. The Pats would add to their lead on their next drive with a Sammy Morris TD, making the score 13-3. Kicker Stephen Gostkowski would add another FG giving the Pats a 16-3 lead heading into the fourth.

Favre would finally give the Jets faithful something to cheer about after connecting with a wide open Chansi Stuckey for a two-yard TD, making the score 16-10. However, the Jets' penalty woes continued, this time on defense, and the Pats would kick yet another FG making the score 19-10.

They would not look back as the Jets final drive would be short lived and after going three-and-out, the Pats would run out the clock. The Pats are now 2-0 while the Jets fall to 1-1.

In what was a much-awaited match with the potential of a upset, the result was all too familiar for Gang Green, as today’s loss marked the eighth straight at the hands of New England. There was one positive for Gang Green, as they welcomed back fireman Ed, who missed all of last season with an injury.

If today was any indication of how a Brady-less Pats team would perform, then the Jets better think twice if they have any chance of contenting for the AFC East crown.

Next week the team travels to San Diego for Monday Night Football to face an 0-2 Charger team. Favre, who has been known for his Monday night magic in the past, better bring his "A" game if he wants to keep up with a high-powered Charger offense.