Jets Send Favre One Game Closer to Retirement

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Chad Pennington and the Jets disassembled the Green Bay Packers' defense and stoked their hopes of an improbable playoff run.

Pennington, who snapped out of a streak of shaky performances in a victory over Houston last week, put together three touchdown drives of 70 yards or more in the second quarter and the Jets cruised to a 38–10 victory at Lambeau Field yesterday.

The Jets (7–5) built a 31–0 halftime lead as snow flurries floated to the ground and boos rained down from the grandstands. Gang Green used frequent wide-receiver motion and occasional no-huddle offense to confuse a Green Bay defense that is prone to miscommunication and susceptible to big plays.

Pennington, who was 25-of-35 for 263 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions, connected with eight receivers. Cedric Houston carried 22 times for a career-high 105 yards and two TDs.

The Packers (4–8) barely managed to avoid being shut out at home for the third time this season. Packers coach Mike McCarthy called for a field goal with his team down 31–0 in the third quarter. Dave Rayner hit a 34-yarder, a move that elicited the Midwestern version of a Bronx cheer from Packers fans.

Brett Favre's season-long struggles with accuracy continued, as the threetime MVP was 24-of-47 for 214 yards with one touchdown and two picks.

Pennington was intercepted by Patrick Dendy late in the third quarter, and Favre threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Donald Driver to cut the Jets' lead to 31–10. Green Bay then recovered an onside kick after a successful replay review by McCarthy, but their slim chance at a comeback was dashed when the offense went three-and-out. The Jets put together another long scoring drive, and Leon Washington ran 20 yards for a touchdown to put New York ahead 38–10 early in the fourth quarter.

The Jets began the game with a field goal, and then got the ball back when Bryan Thomas sacked Favre and forced a fumble that was recovered by Dewayne Robertson near midfield.

Pennington marched the Jets into Packers territory, then hit Jerricho Cotchery for a touchdown on third-and-9 at the Packers 12 as safety Nick Collins appeared to lose his footing in coverage.

The Packers went three-and-out on their next possession, and Pennington put together an eight-play, 83-yard drive that ended with a 3-yard touchdown run by Houston to put New York ahead 17–0 early in the second quarter.

After Green Bay missed a field goal, Pennington then led the Jets on a 70-yard drive, and Houston ran in from the Green Bay 1 for his second touchdown.

Favre was picked off by Andre Dyson with 5 minutes remaining in the half, and the Jets put together another long scoring drive. Pennington marched the Jets 77 yards, finishing the drive with a lob pass to Chris Baker on third-and-goal to make it 31–0 at halftime.