Sep 29 in Jet History: Pennington Takes Over for Vinny
Sept 29, 2015 5:37:06 GMT -5
thebigragu and Bing© in Buffalo Chairman like this
Post by Lithfan on Sept 29, 2015 5:37:06 GMT -5
September 29, 2002
The 2002 season ended well for the Jets. A Division Title, playoff appearance and the franchise’s last home playoff victory, a 41-0 defeat of the Colts before falling in Oakland in the Divisional round. It is easy to forget just how bad things looked early in the season.
The Jets were 1-2 when they headed into Jacksonville for a week 4 game against Mark Brunell and the Jaguars. The Jags were well rested, coming off of the bye week with a 1-1 record, while the Jets were in the midst of their worst 3-game stretch since the team was known as the Titans in 1962. The 28-3 loss in Jacksonville marked the 3rd straight blowout loss for the Jets, having lost to Divisional Rivals New England and Miami by 44-7 and 30-3 scores in weeks 2 & 3 respectively.
They were outscored 102-13 in that 3-game stretch. Remarkably, that 89-point margin over three games is not the worst in franchise history. That happened back in 1962 when the NY Titans lost consecutive games to the Broncos, Pats & Oilers by a combined score of 131-41 in October on the way to a 5-9 season.
VInny Testaverde was the Jets starting QB to begin the 2002 season. He played well in an opening weekend OT win in Buffalo, but struggled in weeks 2 & 3. He only threw 4 passes (missing on all 4) in the Jacksonville game before injuring his shoulder. Chad Pennington came off the bench to replace Testaverde.
He did lead the Jets only scoring drive in the 2nd quarter, connecting with Wayne Chrebet and Laveranues Coles to set up a John Hall 46-yard field goal. By that time the Jets had fallen behind 14-0 after two Stacey Mack rushing TDs. Mack would add a 3rd TD in the 3rd quarter, but Fred Taylor was the star of the game. Taylor finished with 142 yards rushing and 1 TD, plus he caught 3 passes for another 95 yards.
As for Pennington, he got better as the game wore on, leading the Jets into Jacksonville territory on 4 straight 2nd half possessions, but each time they came up empty. Twice they turned the ball over on downs, and fumbles by WR Kevin Swayne and RB Lamont Jordan thwarted the other two chances. Jordan’s fumble came at the Jax 1 yard line as the Jets could not get any closer than 28-3 in the 4th quarter. Pennington finished with a 21-34-281-0-1 line.
Testaverde’s injury was not serious, but Chad Pennington would be named the starter for the Jets Week 5 game against the Chiefs. The Jets lost to KC 29-25 to fall to 1-4 before they got their season turned around. Pennington was brilliant in the 2nd half as the Jets won 7 of their last 9 and overcame the poor start to finish 9-7, which was good enough for a Division Title and home playoff game.
The 2002 season ended well for the Jets. A Division Title, playoff appearance and the franchise’s last home playoff victory, a 41-0 defeat of the Colts before falling in Oakland in the Divisional round. It is easy to forget just how bad things looked early in the season.
The Jets were 1-2 when they headed into Jacksonville for a week 4 game against Mark Brunell and the Jaguars. The Jags were well rested, coming off of the bye week with a 1-1 record, while the Jets were in the midst of their worst 3-game stretch since the team was known as the Titans in 1962. The 28-3 loss in Jacksonville marked the 3rd straight blowout loss for the Jets, having lost to Divisional Rivals New England and Miami by 44-7 and 30-3 scores in weeks 2 & 3 respectively.
They were outscored 102-13 in that 3-game stretch. Remarkably, that 89-point margin over three games is not the worst in franchise history. That happened back in 1962 when the NY Titans lost consecutive games to the Broncos, Pats & Oilers by a combined score of 131-41 in October on the way to a 5-9 season.
VInny Testaverde was the Jets starting QB to begin the 2002 season. He played well in an opening weekend OT win in Buffalo, but struggled in weeks 2 & 3. He only threw 4 passes (missing on all 4) in the Jacksonville game before injuring his shoulder. Chad Pennington came off the bench to replace Testaverde.
He did lead the Jets only scoring drive in the 2nd quarter, connecting with Wayne Chrebet and Laveranues Coles to set up a John Hall 46-yard field goal. By that time the Jets had fallen behind 14-0 after two Stacey Mack rushing TDs. Mack would add a 3rd TD in the 3rd quarter, but Fred Taylor was the star of the game. Taylor finished with 142 yards rushing and 1 TD, plus he caught 3 passes for another 95 yards.
As for Pennington, he got better as the game wore on, leading the Jets into Jacksonville territory on 4 straight 2nd half possessions, but each time they came up empty. Twice they turned the ball over on downs, and fumbles by WR Kevin Swayne and RB Lamont Jordan thwarted the other two chances. Jordan’s fumble came at the Jax 1 yard line as the Jets could not get any closer than 28-3 in the 4th quarter. Pennington finished with a 21-34-281-0-1 line.
Testaverde’s injury was not serious, but Chad Pennington would be named the starter for the Jets Week 5 game against the Chiefs. The Jets lost to KC 29-25 to fall to 1-4 before they got their season turned around. Pennington was brilliant in the 2nd half as the Jets won 7 of their last 9 and overcame the poor start to finish 9-7, which was good enough for a Division Title and home playoff game.
