12/30 — The Jets get the opening kickoff, a short hopper that David Bowens looks for a second as if he will break before being tackled at the Jets 38. Then we have to check the Jets' starting lineup very closely.

Kellen Clemens returns to the starting lineup at QB, as suspected, two games after hurting his rib on the second play of Game 14 at New England. And Clemens is taking snaps from Nick Mangold as usual, although Mangold missed the last two practices due to personal reasons and was listed as questionable for the game.

Will Montgomery gets the start at LG but is expected to rotate with Robert Turner during the game. Anthony Clement starts as usual at RT but is also expected to split some time with Clint Oldenburg. And Wallace Wright gets the start as the slot WR.

The Jets drive to the Chiefs 35, with Clemens throwing himself into his return — he throws a block as Leon Washington doubles back on a right-side run to gain 12 yards going left, then keeps on second down for a 7-yard gain.

But KC seems to be vacating the pocket a little too quickly, such as on fourth-and-5 from the KC-35, when he scrambles to the right, doesn't run but runs out of room and has to throw the ball away, ending the Green & White's opening series.

The rain has started earlier than expected in the Meadowlands, streaking the pressbox windows and falling on the fans who are sprinkled around the stands.

The Jets defense rises up on its first series, pitching a three-and-out. On top of that, the Chiefs, who have had such problems with health at their RB position this season, get some more bad news as rookie Kolby Smith struggles to get up after being stopped for no gain by David Harris and Eric Smith on third-and-2.

After Thomas Jones runs for a first down on two carries, OC Brian Schottenheimer decides to load it up and see what happens. Clemens play-actions left, then rolls right and tries to hit Jerricho Cotchery deep down the middle. Cotchery is covered by a LB, Derrick Johnson, and can't get away from him. The throw appears to be catchable but Cotchery can't reel it in at the KC 23. The throw goes about 55 yards from line of scrimmage to J-Co's hands.

Ben Graham comes on for the first time in two games and gets off a decent welcome-back punt, a 56-yarder that Eddie Drummond slips on as he fields it before taking it back 8 yards to the KC 21. A 48-yard net ... not bad.

Rookie Jackie Battle, one career carry, is the Chiefs' tailback as Kolby Smith is carted off the field. His second career carry and first of the day goes for 2 yards.

Brodie Croyle faces a vicious nickel rush on third down. He gets away from Shaun Ellis, who beats John Welbourn and grabs Croyle's jersey, but Bowens continues his energetic sub-defense play by tracking Croyle down for a 6-yard sack. Way to go, D-Bo!

The Jets start up their third drive from their 46 and immediately Thomas Jones burst off his right side for 15 yards. Then things bog down, and Clemens looks confused in trying to escape third-down pressure before being sacked by DE Jared Allen.

Graham's next punt is another dandy, thanks to his coverage team. It's a drop punt, end over end bouncing inside the KC 5. Drew Coleman bats the ball out just as it's about to break the goal line plane, with Wallace Wright downing it at the 2. Appropriately enough, there's 2:22 left in the quarter as the Chiefs start out in the shadow of their West end zone goal posts. And yes, there is a shadow, from the lights that have been turned on early to brighten the increasingly rain-soaked field.

Harris makes a good open-field tackle on second down, then venerable TE Tony Gonzalez drops a throw a little behind him on third down. For the Jets defense, who came into the weekend with the lowest three-and-out percentage in the NFL, they've pitched three three-and-outs to open this game.

With Oldenburg in for Clement at RT, Jones tries the right side on second-and-3 and is stopped for no gaine, which is how the opening period comes to a close.