In their biggest challenge to date, the Jets escaped disaster with a 16-14 win over the visiting Buffalo Bills on Sunday in East Rutherford to reach 4-0 for only the second time in the 45-year history of the franchise.
Doug Brien's 38-yard field goal with 58 seconds remaining was the difference, as Chad Pennington went 31-of-42 for 304 yards passing on the afternoon, but nothing bigger than going 7-of-8 for 51 yards on what would be the game's decisive drive. Pennington's fourth quarter interception allowed Buffalo to get back in the game and showedhe is human after all.
"I told them, 'We dodged a bullet,'" head coach Herman Edwards said. "We were minus on the day in turnovers (two to Buffalo's one) but still ended up winning the football game. That's a credit to the players."
Curtis Martin had his string of three straight 100-yard rushing games broken, gaining 77 yards on 22 carries. Incidentally, in a weekend Q&A session with the Post, Martin said that if Edwards wasn't a football coach, he'd be "A fight promoter, or motivational speaker." Also of note for the ladies out there: you might be able to spot the Jets' smoothest character at Mr. Chow's, Nobu, Justin's or at a (matinee?) of Elton John and Tim Rice's Aida.
Edwards and company will host the 1-4 San Francisco 49ers Sunday at 1 (TV: Fox 5, RADIO: 1050 ESPN). The Jets are expected to be without the services of starting offensive linemen Pete Kendall (right toe contusion) and Brandon Moore (left hamstring). Because a date with the Niners this year seems like another bye week, the countdown to the visit to New England is already being anticipated.
