Jets End Six Game Skid on Game Ending Field Goal in Overtime 19-16 Win over Pittsburgh
BY DAN MILLER

Jets all-around running sensation Leon Washington set up the Mike Nugent winning field goal in overtime to beat Pittsburgh in Jets locker room with wide receiver Justin McCareins, (2 catches for 22 yards) and rookie tight end Joe Kowalewski, (1 catch for 5 yards), a standout at Syracuse. Dan Miller/DMD Images

The Jets opened the NFLseason with a 1-8 record including 6 losses in a row coming into this game against the top rated Pittsburgh Steelers. Excitement grew early with many fans coming to Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey to witness a halftime tribute to Curtis Martin who was forced to retire due to a leg injury. Martin, arguably the greatest Jet to ever put on the green and white uniform, was introduced by Bill Parcells, his former Jets coach

This was Kellen Clemens' third game start and his first win as the Jets starting quarterback The Jets scored on their first series on a flea-flicker play in which Jets quarterback handed the ball off to Thomas Jones who tossed the ball back to Clemens just before hitting the line. Clemens fired a bomb to Laverneuse Coles who got behind the receivers and rumbled to the one-foot line setting up a first and goal for the gang green. Coles was injured on the play and saw limited action in the game. The Jets scored on a touchdown pass from Clemens to Chris Baker to take the early lead. A 25 yard Mike Nugent field goal with 1:34 remaining in the first quarter put the Jets up 10-0 against a Steelers team that came into the game leading the National Football Conference (NFC) in offense. The Jets defense shined slamming Steeler Quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger for 44 lost yards on seven sacks. They also added an interception on a Kerry Rhodes pick.

Pittsburgh held the Jets scoreless in the second half in spite of a good running game by Jets running back, Thomas Jones who was credited with his first hundred-yard game in his first season with the Jets.

The Jets won the toss in overtime and decided to take the kickoff. The Jets could not move the ball and had to give it up to Pittsburgh. But surprisingly the Jets held the Steelers and forced them to punt. Pittsburgh, who was very successful in regulation time keeping its kicks away from Jet punt and kick off returner Leon Washington, was not so lucky in overtime. Washington took the punt and returned the ball 33 yards to help put the Jets in field goal range. Clemens moved the ball even closer setting up the game winning a 33-yard field goal. Nugent hit on his third and final field goal in the game to give the Jets a well earned yet surprising win over higher rated Pittsburgh. Jets Coach Eric Mangini appeared happy, as a big smile was visible on his face when he faced the media in the post game press conference.

The Jets now 2-8 carry their one-game winning streak to Texas for a Thanksgiving Day game when they visit the 9-1 Dallas Cowboys on Thursday, November 22.