MNF: Jets Top Patriots

E A S T  R U T H E R F O R D, N.J., Sept. 12 -- Skeptics kept telling the New YorkJets they needed a No. 1 receiver to replace Keyshawn Johnson.

They had one all along in Wayne Chrebet, who caught twotouchdown passes from Vinny Testaverde in the final 6:25 Mondaynight as the Jets beat the New England Patriots 20-19.

Give Him the Damn Ball

“Just give me a chance,” Chrebet told Testaverde before thewinning 28-yard TD pass with 1:55 left — a fitting turn ofJohnson’s phrase: “Just throw me the damn ball.”

“This is a huge win for us and sets us up for the wholeseason,” Chrebet said.

John Abraham and Shaun Ellis, selected with first-round picksthe Jets got for Johnson and as compensation for allowing BillBelichick to leave to coach the Patriots, combined on two sacksthat ended New England’s last shot.

Tuna Helpers Square Off

This game was billed in New York and New England as the “TunaHelper Bowl,” — Belichick and Jets coach Al Groh, both in theirfirst years, spent much of their apprenticeship under Bill “Tuna”Parcells.

Belichick was Parcells’ designated successor but asked out afterspending one day last January as Jets coach. For most of the game,Belichick’s knowledge of New York’s offense seemed to stifle theJets (2-0).

But he had some residual admiration at the end.

“Vinny made some great throws, Wayne made a couple of greatcatches,” said Belichick, who could have been on the oppositesideline.

“I give them credit. At the end they came up with more playsthan we did.”

Pats Take Early Lead

New England built up a 12-7 lead on four field goals by AdamVinatieri and extended it to 19-7 on Drew Bledsoe’s 4-yard TD passto Eric Bjornson with just under 10 minutes left.

That seemed to energize the Jets, who drove 85 yards in 10 playsto score on Testaverde’s 2-yard TD pass to Chrebet. Fullback RichieAnderson had five catches for 78 yards on that drive.