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.