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Week 1 Game Recap: New York Jets 20, Miami Dolphins 14
What you need to know
| New York Jets |
The New York Jets kicked off their season in the Miami heat, as they took on their division rival Dolphins. Armed with their new quarterback, Brett Favre, the Jets managed to get out to an early lead and hang on late for a 20-14 victory.
The new look Jets offense got out of the gate early as Brett Favre connected with Jerricho Cotchery for a 56 yard touchdown pass early in the first quarter. It was Favre's first TD pass as a Jet and set the tone for the rest of the contest, as New York did a terrific job of mixing up the run and passing plays. Jets running back Thomas Jones cracked the 100 yard barrier as he rushed 22 times for 101 yards and a score, his first of the season.
It was the young secondary of New York who had to make the plays as Miami took to the air for 43 plays in total. The Jets were able to counter the aerial assault with consistent pressure and great secondary play, most notably Darrelle Revis' fourth quarter interception that stalled a Miami drive and gave the Jets their first win of the 2008 season.
| Miami Dolphins |
The Miami Dolphins opened up the Tony Sparano era and struggled to find a consistent offensive rhythm. Former Jet signal caller Chad Pennington lined up under center for the Dolphins and had every opportunity to make a play as they were forced to boast a run pass ratio of four to one. This did not bode well as Pennington completed only 26 of 43 passes in a 20-14 defeat at the hands of his old team.
The ground tandem of Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown did not get off to a good start as they were only able to amass 47 yards by land on 16 combined attempts. There seemed to be no running room for either workhorse as the Dolphins faced constant passing situations and failed to open up holes on the interior line.
The Dolphins defense had a rough day as they allowed 297 total yards of offense and two big play passing touchdowns. Cotchery's 56 yard score was paired with a nifty scramble and heave by Favre that got behind the Dolphins secondary and found Chansi Stuckey for an important 22 yard score.
What you ought to know
| QB Brett Favre, Pass: 15 - 22 - 194 - 2 TD / 0 INT, Rush: 3 - 2 - 0 |
Favre made his New York debut in style as he completed 68 percent of his passes for 197 yards and two scores. He hit Jerricho Cotchery in stride for his first touchdown pass of the day early in the first quarter, then proceeded to show some of his creativity as he scrambled out of the pocket and heaved up a prayer which Chansi Stuckey was able to haul in for Favre's' second score of the game.
| RB Thomas Jones, Rush: 22 - 101 - 1, Rec: 3 - 2 - 0 (3 targets) |
Jones got off to a great start as he carried 22 times for 101 yards and added two catches. He moved well behind the Jets offensive line and hit the hole with authority and decisiveness. He was also able to punch in his first touchdown of the season as he took a third quarter handoff six yards to pay dirt, which ultimately iced the game.
| RB Leon Washington, Rush: 6 - 9 - 0, Rec: 2 - 17 - 0 (2 targets) |
Washington contributed 26 total yards of offense as he was able to bring two receptions.
| WR Jerricho Cotchery, Rec: 3 - 80 - 1 (6 targets) |
Cotchery was the most targeted Jets' player on the day as he brought in three of six targets for 80 yards and a score. His first touchdown of 2008 came on a 56 yard strike from Favre and required Cotchery to fend off a tackler as he made his way to the end zone. He looked on the same page as Favre and is running with power after the catch.
| WR Chansi Stuckey, Rec: 2 - 37 - 1 (3 targets) |
Stuckey hauled in two of his three targets for 37 yards and a touchdown. The second quarter touchdown came on a play where Brett Favre eluded a sack and quickly stepped up and threw the ball up for grabs. It found Stuckey who was camped on the goal line and was able to pull it in for the 22 yard score.
| WR Laveranues Coles, Rec: 1 - 5 - 0 (5 targets) |
Coles was targeted five times in total, however was only able to come away with one reception for five yards.
| TE Chris Baker, Rec: 2 - 34 - 0 (2 targets) |
Baker saw only two targets on the day bringing both of them in for 34 total yards.
| TE Bubba Franks, Rec: 2 - 19 - 0 (2 targets) |
Franks saw only two targets, catching both of them for 19 yards.
| PK Mike Nugent 0 - 1 FG, 2 - 2 XP, 2 points |
Nugent missed an early field goal and added two extra points. The missed field goal caused some concern as the Jets decided to go for two points after scoring their second touchdown of the game.
| NYJ Rush Defense |
The Jets rush defense was stout all day long. Only facing under 20 rushing attempts, New York held the Miami duo in check allowing only 49 total yards by land.
| NYJ Pass Defense |
The Jets pass defense was very solid on the day pressuring Chad Pennington constantly and forcing a game ending interception as time ran down. Darrelle Revis picked up where he left off last year as he shut down anything he covered and recorded his first interception of the season. The interior line was able to bring pressure on Pennington, hurrying him most of the day and coming away with four total sacks.
| QB Chad Pennington, Pass: 26 - 43 - 251 - 2 TD / 1 INT |
Pennington opened the season against his old team, the New York Jets, and was yards away from leading his Dolphins to a fourth quarter comeback when his final pass was intercepted in the end zone. This was not the story book beginning that Pennington would have wanted but he did play well and moved the ball effectively through the air. He finished completing 26 of his 43 passes for 251 yards and two touchdowns, both of them going to his two tight ends. He managed an efficient game and ultimately had to lead the way as the Dolphins running game could not get on track.
| RB Ricky Williams, Rush: 10 - 24 - 0, Rec: 4 - 15 - 0 (6 targets) |
Williams returned to starter status in this game, playing the first two series and part of the third before letting way to Ronnie Brown. Neither back showed much of anything as they combined for only 16 rushing attempts. Williams got ten carries, however was only able to gain 24 yards, as he consistently got past the defensive line but was brought down by oncoming linebackers. He added four catches for 15 yards out of the backfield as well.
| RB Ronnie Brown, Rush: 6 - 23 - 0, Rec: 3 - 28 - 0 (3 targets) |
Brown returned from a season ending knee injury in 2007 and looked very agile, and quick. He did not start but rushed six times for 23 yards and added three receptions for 28 yards.
| RB Patrick Cobbs, Rec: 1 - 9 - 0 (3 targets) |
Cobbs saw no action on the ground; however he was targeted three times, hauling in one ball for nine yards.
| WR Greg Camarillo, Rec: 3 - 37 - 0 (6 targets) |
A relative newcomer to the offense, Camarillo saw six targets on the day bringing in three of them for 37 total yards. He was open mostly on sideline routes as well as on underneath routes and Pennington consistently looked to him if there was coverage downfield.
| WR Ted Ginn, Rush: 1 - 2 - 0, Rec: 2 - 17 - 0 (7 targets) |
Ginn was the most targeted seven times by quarterback Chad Pennington, however was only able to bring in two receptions for 17 yards. He was just never on the same page as Pennington and second year corner Darrelle Revis played press coverage most of the game, not allowing Ginn to get separation. On the last play of the game, it was Pennington who looked to Ginn for the winning score however, Revis made a beautiful one handed interception to seal the deal.
| TE Anthony Fasano, Rec: 8 - 84 - 1 (9 targets) |
Fasano saw a team high nine targets as he posted career best numbers. He grabbed eight balls for 84 yards and scores the first Dolphins touchdown of the game. Fasano, a Notre Dame graduate who was traded from Dallas, benefitted from the tight secondary coverage as he was consistently open underneath and on sideline patterns. Both his 8 catches and 84 yards were career highs for the young tight end.
| TE David Martin, Rec: 4 - 53 - 1 (6 targets) |
The tight end duo of David Martin and Anthony Fasano were the bright spots for the Dolphins passing game as Martin was able to grab four of his six targets for 53 yards and a score. Miami showed many two tight end sets and Martin was able to find space throughout the contest. His touchdown grab came in the fourth quarter as Pennington hit him in stride for an 11 yard score.
| PK Dan Carpenter 0 - 0 FG, 2 - 2 XP, 2 points |
Carpenter converted both of his PAT attempts.
| MIA Rush Defense |
The rush defense of Miami allowed over 100 yards on the ground as Thomas Jones had a day, also posting a score. This unit was on the field for large amounts of time as New York set their pace on offense, not giving Miami any plays off. The front four could not bottle up Jones or Leon Washington and was overmatched most of the day.
| MIA Pass Defense |
The Miami pass defense was porous at times and allowed two scores on the day. They intercepted no Favre passes and left many Jet receivers wide open. The Dolphins interior pass rush was successful moving Favre out of the pocket and applying pressure, however their corners could just not make any big plays.
