The New York Jets ended the Tennessee Titans' undefeated start
to the season on Monday with a crushing 34-13 victory.
Tennessee, the NFL's last unbeaten team, had won 10 successive
games before the loss. The Jets (8-3) claimed their fifth
consecutive win.
"It was one of those days we didn't play particularly well and you
don't play like we played and win a ballgame," Titans coach Jeff
Fisher told reporters. " The challenge is to put this one behind
us."
New York quarterback Brett Favre threw for two touchdowns and Leon
Washington rushed for two more in the one-sided victory that
enabled the Jets to keep the AFC East lead.
The Jets defense also was outstanding, holding the Titans to two
field goals and a touchdown.
"I have to give our team a lot of credit," Favre told reporters.
"To come down here and play the best team in football and play the
way we did."
Favre broke an NFL record with the touchdowns, marking the 14th
season he has completed at least 20 TD passes. Favre and former
Miami quarterback Dan Marino shared the previous record of
13.
Favre threw 10 yards to Thomas Jones for the game's opening
touchdown and then connected with Laveranues Coles with a two-yard
toss in the third quarter to give the Jets a 20-3 lead.
Run plays
"A lot of the pass plays today were run plays," said the
quick-throwing Favre who completed 25 of 32 tosses for 224 yards,
connecting with seven different receivers.
"We are trying to make teams play us honest, and I think we are
doing a better job of that," Favre said of the mixture of
plays.
"It's not about throwing the ball down the field 50 yards... It's
take what they give you. We have the guys, like I had in Green Bay
last year, who can run after the catch."
Washington broke the game wide open with a 61-yard touchdown gallop
in the fourth quarter to push the Jets' lead to 27-6. He also
scored on a four-yard run later in the fourth.
His first touchdown was the longest run from scrimmage in six years
by a Jets player.
"It's kind of my role on this team, to provide that big play we
needed," Washington told reporters. "Whether I get the ball one
time or whether I get the ball a hundred times in the game, I'm
going to try to score."
Tennessee's only points came on two Rob Bironas field goals and a
six-yard pass from Kerry Collins to Ahmard Hall in the fourth
quarter after the Jets trailed 27-6.
Other results:
Baltimore 36-7 Philadelphia
Houston 16-6 Cleveland
Dallas 35-22 San Francisco
Tampa Bay 38-20 Detroit
New England 48-28 Miami
Minnesota 30-12 Jacksonville
Buffalo 54-31 Kansas City
Chicago 27-3 St. Louis
