2008 New York Jets season


The 2008 New York Jets season was the franchise's 39th season in the National Football League, the 49th season overall, and the third and final under head coach Eric Mangini. The team succeeded in improving upon their 4–12 record from 2007, but did not make the playoffs for the second straight season.

Offseason

Signings

The Jets used a large amount of salary cap room to make several high-profile acquisitions in the offseason. On February 29 the team signed former Pittsburgh Steelers left guard, Alan Faneca, to a five-year, $40 million contract. The deal made Faneca the highest paid offensive lineman in the National Football League. The Jets then signed former Arizona Cardinals linebacker, Calvin Pace, to a six-year, $42 million deal. Pace had 6 ½ sacks in 2007, and was considered to fit well with the Jets' 3–4 defense. The Jets continued to attempt to improve the offensive line by signing Detroit Lions right tackle Damien Woody to a five-year $25.5 million contract.
Other notable free agent signings included fullback, Tony Richardson; cornerbacks, Andre Woolfolk and Ty Law; tight end, Bubba Franks; and running back, Jesse Chatman.
Perhaps the Jets most significant offseason acquisition was veteran and former Green Bay Packers quarterback, Brett Favre. Favre, the NFL's all-time leader in touchdown passes, completions, passing yards, interceptions, wins and consecutive starts by a quarterback, was picked up in a trade during training camp.

Departures

Staff

Final roster

Schedule

Matchups were determined at the end of the 2007 season based on the league's scheduling formula. Along with home and away games against each of their traditional rivals in the AFC East, the Jets played each of the teams from the AFC West and NFC West divisions, as per the NFL's annual rotation. They also played games against the Tennessee Titans and Cincinnati Bengals, who finished 2007 third in the two remaining AFC divisions. The NFL revealed its schedule for all 256 regular season games on April 15, 2008. One notable game in the schedule was the Jets' first game televised on the NFL Network, against the division rival New England Patriots. Game times from weeks 12 through 17 were subject to change in accordance with the NFL's flexible scheduling policy; two games were affected by this policy.

Preseason

Regular season

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Standings

Regular season results

Week 1: at Miami Dolphins

Game summary

The Jets started with quarterback Brett Favre against a Miami Dolphins team that was sporting new starting quarterback and former Jets starting quarterback Chad Pennington. Favre got the Jets on the scoreboard first in the first quarter with a play-action pass that found Jerricho Cotchery at the 10-yard line en route to a 56-yard touchdown. However, Mike Nugent sprained his thigh on the following kickoff, and when he attempted and missed a 32-yard field goal attempt, Nugent was brought out of the game. Miami then responded, with Chad Pennington marching the Dolphins down to the 6-yard line. From there, Pennington connected with Anthony Fasano for a 5-yard touchdown, tying the game. On the following drive for the Jets, coach Eric Mangini, faced with the possibility of missing a 40-yard field goal if he allowed an uncertain Mike Nugent to kick the ball, opted for Favre to continue on 4th down and 13 yards. Favre, under pressure, threw up a high ball and rookie Chansi Stuckey jumped up for the catch in the end zone, giving the Jets a 13–7 lead. Rather than put Nugent out to the field for a PAT, Mangini opted to go for two points, but the option failed.
In the 3rd quarter, Favre brought the Jets back to the red zone, moving them to the 6-yard line. From there, Favre handed off the ball to Thomas Jones, who ran in for the touchdown. Along with an extra point from Mike Nugent, the Jets now had a 20–7 lead. Due to miscommunication, Chad Pennington was forced to use two time-outs early in the 4th quarter. Late in the 4th quarter, Pennington moved Miami down the field, including connecting on a 14-yard pass from 4th-and-7 at midfield. Pennington completed an 11-yard touchdown pass to David Martin with 3:27 remaining, cutting the Jets' lead to 6 points. The Jets, who ran the clock down to the two-minute warning, went three-and-out on their drive, giving the ball back to Miami at their 34-yard line with 1:53 remaining. Pennington moved the team down the field, getting to the 18-yard line with 18 seconds on the clock. On 3rd-and-10 from the 18-yard line, Pennington attempted a throw to Ted Ginn Jr. in the back of the end zone, but it was intercepted by Darrelle Revis, sealing the six-point win for the Jets.
With the win, the Jets began their 2008 season at 1–0.
Brett Favre, in his Jets debut, completed 15 of 22 passes for 194 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Scoring summary

Week 2: vs. New England Patriots

Game summary

Coming off their divisional road win over the Dolphins, the Jets played their Week 2 home opener against their AFC East foe, the New England Patriots. The Jets had the first opportunity to score in the first quarter, but a 31-yard field goal attempt by new kicker Jay Feely was wide right. New York then trailed as Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski got a 21-yard field goal. In the second quarter, the Jets continued to trail as Gostkowski kicked a 37-yard field goal. Brett Favre got the Jets down to the 3-yard line, but after three running plays resulting in 0 net yardage, the Jets settled for a 21-yard field goal to get on the board.
In the third quarter, New England capitalized on an interception by Brandon Meriweather off a Brett Favre pass. The Patriots increased its lead 6 plays later as RB Sammy Morris got a 1-yard TD run and Gostkowski nailed a 28-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, the Jets tried to rally as QB Brett Favre completed a 2-yard TD pass to WR Chansi Stuckey. However, the Patriots pulled away with Gostkowski's 27-yard field goal.
With the loss, New York fell to 1–1.

Scoring summary

Week 3: at San Diego Chargers

Game summary

Hoping to rebound from their divisional home loss to the Patriots, the Jets flew to Qualcomm Stadium for a Week 3 MNF duel with the San Diego Chargers. In the first quarter, New York took flight as CB David Barrett returned an interception 25 yards for a touchdown. The Chargers responded with kicker Nate Kaeding getting a 36-yard field goal, along with QB Philip Rivers completing a 1-yard TD pass to FB Mike Tolbert. In the second quarter, San Diego increased its lead with CB Antonio Cromartie returning an interception 52 yards for a touchdown. The Jets answered with QB Brett Favre completing a 3-yard TD pass to WR Laveranues Coles. The turning point in the game occurred on the following kickoff, an on-side kick, which traveled only 15 yards before the Chargers picked up the ball. They then added a touchdown, with Rivers completing a 27-yard TD pass to WR Chris Chambers. Following another interception, the Chargers scored again with a 6-yard TD pass to TE Antonio Gates.
In the third quarter, San Diego increased its lead with RB LaDainian Tomlinson getting a 2-yard TD run. New York then managed to move the ball down to the San Diego 9-yard line, but turned the ball over on downs. In the fourth quarter, New York tried to rally as Favre completed a 4-yard TD pass to WR Chansi Stuckey, along with kicker Jay Feely getting a 32-yard field goal, yet the Chargers answered with Tomlinson's 2-yard TD run. Afterwards, the Jets tried to make yet another comeback attempt as Jerricho Cotchery ran a return ball 54 yards. Favre completed a 13-yard TD pass to TE Dustin Keller to put them within 2 touchdowns from tying, yet San Diego sealed the win with Kaeding's 49-yard field goal with 2:08 left in the game.
With the loss, New York fell to 1–2.

Scoring summary

Week 4: vs. Arizona Cardinals

Game summary

Hoping to rebound from a tough Monday Night Football road loss to the Chargers, the Jets went home, donned their New York Titans throwbacks, and played a Week 4 interconference duel with the Arizona Cardinals. After a scoreless first quarter, New York would begin their explosive second quarter. It began with QB Brett Favre completing a 12-yard TD pass to WR Laveranues Coles. It continued with CB Darrelle Revis returning an interception 32 yards for a touchdown. Afterwards, New York kept its domination going with Favre completing a 34-yard TD pass to Coles, kicker Jay Feely getting a 20-yard field goal, Favre and Coles hooking up with each other for a third time on a 2-yard TD pass, and Feely kicking a 30-yard field goal.
In the third quarter, the Cardinals started to rally as RB Edgerrin James got a 4-yard and a 2-yard TD run, while RB Tim Hightower got a 1-yard TD run. In the fourth quarter, the Jets answered with Favre completing a 17-yard TD pass to WR Jerricho Cotchery. Arizona replied with QB Kurt Warner completing an 8-yard TD pass to WR Anquan Boldin, yet New York continued its victory march as Favre completed a 40-yard TD pass to Cotchery. The Cardinals tried to come back as Warner completing a 14-yard TD pass to WR Jerheme Urban, yet the Jets were able to close out the game as Favre threw his career-best sixth touchdown pass to rookie TE Dustin Keller from 24 yards out. In the final minute, Anquan Boldin suffered fractured paranasal sinuses as a result of a helmet-to-helmet collision. After witnessing the injury, Kurt Warner considered retirement, but remained to lead the Cardinals to Super Bowl XLIII.
With the amazing win, New York went into the bye week at 2–2.
The Jets' 34-second quarter points became a franchise record for the most points in any given quarter. The defense was also impressive with 5 sacks and 7 turnovers. Also, heading into the game, Favre was listed as questionable, due to an injury from Monday Night Football. He improved to 6–1 in career games where he's listed as questionable.