09/23 — The Jets have gotten off on the right foot against the Dolphins. First Mike Nugent pinwheeled his kickoff to the back line. Then Ronnie Brown is stopped for a 2-yard gain on the 'Fins' first play. But on Play No. 2, Brown bounces it outside for a first down. Dan Dierdorf reveals on CBS that Miami coach Cam Cameron said at the production meeting on Saturday that "Tomorrow is going to be Ronnie Brown's day," meaning the third-year tailback would be getting a lot more action than his 11 carries per game in the Dolphins' two season-opening losses.

That indeed appears to be the game plan with Brown getting six carries on the visitors' first nine plays as they move to the Jets 38. But then out of the dime, Jonathan Vilma blitzes, Shaun Ellis throws off RT L.J. Shelton and Trent Green goes down for the sack to force a punt.

That ends the sack drought for the Jets, who hadn't gone two games into a season without a sack since 1976. Can the first takeaway of the season be far behind?

No. 10 is under center, and the crowd gives a standing ovation to Chad Pennington. But Chad throws two incompletions, the second altered when DT Vonnie Holiday came in clean and hit Pennington as he threw. Then a draw to Leon Washington for 3 yards brings out the first boo birds of the day ahead of a Ben Graham punt.

The Dolphins go three-and-out, with Green throwing wide of TE David Martin, rookie LB David Harris in coverage out of the dime. Then Brandon Fields hits a 27-yard punt off the side of his foot, under pressure from former Dolphin David Bowens, and Pennington now has fine field position at his 45 to start to rekindle the success he's had historically against the Fish.

A hard count draws Holliday. Then Washington, getting the early carries, makes it second-and-1. Then Thomas Jones comes on to convert third-and-1.

And then Pennington, taking perhaps the first seven-step drop by a Jets QB this season, against a four-man rush, sees Jerricho Cotchery wide open on the deep in-cut for 19 yards.

Next comes a mistake by Zach Thomas' replacement. Channing Crowder comes in on the blitz and makes helmet-to-helmet contact with Pennington as he releases the pass. Personal foul, blow to the head, says referee Bill Leavy, and the Jets are smelling paydirt on first down at the Miami 11. Three Jones poundings later, it's first-and-goal just outside the 1.

A false start by Adrien Clark spoils that position, but after another TJ run, Pennington empties the backfield, takes the shotgun snap from Nick Mangold and lofts a fade pass to Laveranues Coles. Despite tight coverage by CB Travis Daniels, Coles comes down with it for the score.

It's Coles' third TD pass this season, all from Pennington, and the 10th of his career vs. the Dolphins, the most against any NFL opponent. Most important, it gives the Jets their first lead of the season, ending a drought of almost 134 minutes without one.

Jets 7, Dolphins 0

Mike Nugent drives another kickoff to the back of the end zone for another touchback. That gives him the first two-touchback game of his Jets career. Or put another way, his three TBs in three games this season equals his total in his first 33 games.

The Dolphins close the quarter on a Green connection to Chris Chambers at the Miami 45.