Feely's field goal in OT gives Jets win over Pats

11/14/2008

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - The New York Jets stand alone atop the tight AFC East standings, barely.

Jay Feely kicked a 34-yard field goal on the first series of overtime after New England tied the game on Matt Cassel's pass to Randy Moss with one second left in regulation, and the Jets survived a Tom Brady-like comeback with a 34-31 victory last night.

The win broke a tie for the division lead between the teams and gave the Jets (7-3) sole possession of first place for the first time since Nov. 19, 2001, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. The Patriots (6-4) have won the AFC East the last five seasons and six of the last seven.

The Jets, who led 24-6 in the first half, extended their winning streak to four with their sixth victory in seven games and are 1 1/2 games ahead of Buffalo and Miami in the division.

The loss wasted a brilliant performance by Cassel, whose first pro start after Brady's season-ending knee injury in the opener came in a 19-10 win over the Jets. Cassel completed 30 of 51 passes for 400 yards, all career highs, and three touchdowns. He ran eight times for 62 yards.

Brett Favre made his 263rd consecutive regular-season start, an NFL record, and went 26-of-33 for 258 yards and directed the only drive of overtime, covering 64 yards on 14 plays in 7:50.

AKRON - A.J. Principe kicked a 40-yard field goal, his second in overtime, to give Buffalo a 43-40 victory over Akron in a game that went into a fourth overtime and lasted more than four hours.

James Sparks rushed 37 times for 151 yards and three touchdowns for the Bulls (6-4, 4-2 Mid-American Conference), who captured sole possession of first place in the MAC East division with the win. Drew Willy was 27-of-39 for 252 yards and a touchdown, and also scored on a one-yard run.

It was the final game for Akron (5-5, 3-3) in the Rubber Bowl, where the Zips have played since 1940.