Jets Finally Hang On in Fourth Quarter for a 17-12 Victory : AFC: Fumble recovery in the end zone helps New York come from behind for victory over the Oilers.

The fourth quarter has spelled nothing but disaster for the New York Jets this season.

Entering Sunday’s game against the Houston Oilers, the Jets had lost three games after leading in the fourth quarter.

But the Jets, on the strength of a fumble recovery in the end zone for a touchdown, finally hung on for a victory--a 17-12 win over the Oilers that ended a three-game losing streak.

The Jets (3-5) trailed, 12-7, when reserve defensive end Darrell Davis sacked Oiler quarterback Warren Moon for a six-yard loss then fell Moon’s fumble with 13:34 left for the Jets’ first fourth-quarter touchdown of the season.

Jet quarterback Ken O’Brien connected with Al Toon on a 28-yard pass play to help set up a 32-yard field goal by Pat Leahy with 44 seconds left.

“It’s taken a while but we’re all finally beginning to understand what it takes,” said Toon, who also hooked up with O’Brien on a 42-yard touchdown pass play. “We’re all beginning to realize that it will work and we’re gaining confidence each time out.”

The Oilers (4-4) used their run-and-shoot offense to outgain the Jets, 425-229. The Oilers had 28 first downs to 13 for the Jets and drove to the Jets’ 27-yard line in the final seconds.

Houston’s final drive ended with an incomplete pass into the end zone by Moon.

“It wasn’t the way you planned, but we’re not going to give it back,” Jet Coach Bruce Coslet said. “I felt like I had to run to the bathroom. I wasn’t sure I could stay and watch it. I didn’t realize it was over.”

Moon completed 30 of 43 passes for 381 yards, including a nine-yard touchdown pass to Haywood Jeffires that gave Houston its only lead in the third quarter.

“It seemed like they wanted it more than we did,” Moon said. “We let down a little even though we executed well. We made too many boo-boos.”

O’Brien completed 11 of 23 passes for 142 yards.

“I think we are getting better with each game,” O’Brien said. “We have really come a long way from the game against San Diego (a 39-3 loss on Oct. 14).”

The Oilers won four of their previous five games, but the Jets took advantage of a fumble at the New York one and sacked Moon five times for 39 yards in losses. Moon hadn’t been sacked in the last two games.

The Oilers controlled the ball for 20:57 of the first half but trailed, 7-6, at halftime after O’Brien’s touchdown pass to Toon 3:17 into the second quarter.

Houston took a 12-7 lead when Moon completed a 92-yard drive with a nine-yard touchdown pass to Jeffires with 10:39 left in the third quarter.

Jeffires caught the ball at the goal line with cornerback John Booty hanging onto his waist.

Teddy Garcia kicked field goals of 42 and 49 yards for the Oilers in the first half, but missed two field goals and an extra point.

Moon, the AFC’s No. 2 passer, completed his first four passes and had 213 yards at the half, but the Jets had the lead.

Garcia, signed after Tony Zendejas broke his left leg, missed a 40-yard field goal in the first quarter.

A fumble on a pitch play from Moon to Lorenzo White at the Jets’ one stopped another drive.