09/23 — The Jets open the third quarter with a little bit of what they ended the second with: a drive to a score. Three different RBs — Leon Washington, Thomas Jones and Brad Smith (on a reverse) — got carries. Jason Taylor was caught offside twice. And Mike Nugent punched through a 21-yard field goal to finish the possession that took almost one-half of the third period.

Jets 24, Dolphins 13

The Green & White D is a bend-but-don't-break affair today. The Dolphins move steadily to the Jets 37, but then they stop. Darrelle Revis is there in coverage on an incompletion from Trent Green to Chris Chambers. Then Andre Dyson, still working his way back from his summer injury, defended a short slant to Chambers.

Then came that takeaway. The Jets harassed Green in the pocket and covered his receivers downfield. The QB got away but flung a ball without setting his feet — and Kerry Rhodes was there. The safety who offered $100 to any defender who could pry out the first turnover of the week, in two straight practices, saved his money on this day with the interception to keep the Jets 11 points ahead.

The next sign that this was going to be the Jets' day came on third-and-17 from the Jets 19. Chad Pennington rolled to his left and, throwing across his body and with a Dolphin in pursuit, hit Laveranues Coles in stride.

The completion went for 23 yards and marked the longest third-down conversion by the Jets since — I'm not making this up — Wayne Chrebet, whose halftime ceremonies just concluded, converted a third-and-18 with a 20-yard reception from Brooks Bollinger against San Diego in 2005, shortly before he suffered the final concussion that ended his career.

This drive could be the Jets' statement possession of this game. They pick up two more third-down conversions on Pennington passes. Jones rocks Dolphin safety Renaldo Hill on a 6-yard burst to end the quarter. And then in the fourth quarter ...