Jets...20 Dolphins...14
MIAMI -- Brett Favre hardly looked like the retiring type, raising his arms to signal a touchdown, then leaping and skipping to the bench, where he vaulted into the arms of two teammates.
Six months after Favre decided to call it a career before changing his mind, he made a successful debut with his new team as Broadway Brett, throwing for two scores to help the New York Jets defeat the Miami Dolphins, 20-14.
Favre’s new beginning had a happy ending thanks to two late stands by the Jets’ defense. Dwight Lowery batted away a fourth-down pass in the end zone with nine minutes left, and Darrelle Revis intercepted a Chad Pennington pass -- again in the end zone -- with five seconds left.
Favre finished 15 for 22 for 194 yards and his 161st victory, extending his NFL record for starting quarterbacks.
For the Dolphins, the loss marked a disappointing start to the Bill Parcells era, and it was painfully reminiscent of last year’s 1-15 team.
Despite Parcells’ turning over more than half the roster and hiring Tony Sparano as coach, Miami gave up too many big plays and sputtered on offense until it made a frantic late rally.
The Dolphins converted on fourth and seven during a 53-yard drive that ended with Pennington’s 11-yard touchdown pass to David Martin, making it 20-14 with 3:27 left.
Quoteworthy: “I just hate losing. I hate it as bad as you can imagine” -- Chad Pennington, Dolphins quarterback
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