Outclassed, outcoached and outperformed - that's how one can describe the performance displayed by the New York Jets in their 2005 season opener. The Gang Green came out absolutely unprepared and at times looked totally hopeless, as the Chiefs routed them, 27-7.
RB Curtis Martin, last year's rushing champion, was limited to only 57 yards on 20 carries. The Chiefs, on the other hand, gained a total of 198 yards on the ground, totally dominating the game at the line of scrimmage. The rout started on the first Kansas City possession when it took just three plays, all rushing, to move the ball 75 yards down the field and put the Jets into a 7-0 hole. The Jets' ensuing drive got stalled at midfield, as QB Chad Pennington was sacked and fumbled the ball for a 8-yard loss. P Ben Graham pinned the Chiefs inside their 10-yard line, which did not turn out to be an obstacle for the high-powered Kansas City offense. The Chiefs marched 95 yards to extend their lead to 14-0.
The Jets got a much needed break on the kickoff, as rookie CB Justin Miller returned the ball for 50 yards and into the Chiefs' territory. The Gang Green nicely moved the ball inside the red zone and it sure looked like the Jets were going to come out of this drive with at least 3 points. Chad Pennington, however, fumbled again, only this time the Chiefs recovered. In the second quarter the Chiefs extended their lead to 17-0, as they converted a field goal. The Jets again easily moved the ball inside Kansas City's part of the field, but it just wasn't Pennington's day. His pass was intercepted and returned deep inside the Jets' territory.
As the second half began, the Gang Green moved the ball inside the Chiefs' 10-yard line, as Pennington completed passes to WR Laveranues Coles, WR Wayne Chrebet and TE Chris Baker. Once again, however, the Jets shot themselves in the foot when OT Jason Fabini committed a false start penalty and the drive got stalled on the 9-yard line. Rookie PK Mike Nugent failed to convert his first NFL field goal attempt and the score remained 17-0. Later in the 3rd quarter Pennington lost yet another fumble, while Kansas City responded with another field goal, making the score an embarrassing 20-0.
On the very first play of the 4th quarter RB Larry Johnson rumbled into the end zone, as the score became 27-0. The Jets put up yet another long drive, driving the ball all the way to the Chiefs' 2-yard line, only to turn it over on downs this time. Later in the quarter Pennington was replaced by QB Jay Fielder and the latter managed to help the Jets avoid their first shutout in almost 10 years, as he connected with TE Chris Baker for a 23-yard touchdown.
QB Chad Pennington finished the game 21 of 34 for 264 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT. He had a total of 6 fumbles, losing two of them. TE Chris Baker, the solo bright spot on the Jets' offense, had a career game, as he caught 7 passes for 124 yards, 1 TD. WR Laveranues Coles made 6 receptions for 66 yards and also dropped three sure touchdown passes. CB Ty Law celebrated his first game as a Jet with an interception, the only turnover generated by the Jets' defense. Rookie SS Kerry Rhodes led the team with 10 tackles (9 solo). LB Jonathan Vilma, last year's defensive rookie of the year, recorded 8 tackles (7 solo). DE John Abraham, who held out entire training camp, recorded the only Jets' sack of the afternoon. He also made 2 tackles. Australian punter Ben Graham averages 44.3 yards on 3 punts. Rookie CB Justin Miller averaged 30.3 yards on 6 kickoff returns.
Next Sunday the Jets will take on their division rivals, the Miami Dolphins, at Giants Stadium. The kickoff time is at 4:15 PM ET.