FOXBORO, Mass., Dec. 22 (UPI) -- Chad Pennington passed for 285 yards and three touchdowns Sunday night, clearly outplaying Super Bowl MVP Tom Brady as the Jets kept their playoff hopes alive with a 30-17 victory over the New England Patriots.
Coming off a disappointing loss to Chicago and needing a win to remain alive in the playoff race, the Jets (8-7) played a complete game with Pennington leading the way.
Pennington completed his first 11 passes and finished 23 of 33. He threw touchdown passes of 33 yards to Laveranues Coles and 11 yards to Santana Moss in the first quarter before finding last week's goat, Wayne Chrebet, from 15 yards in the fourth quarter to give the Jets a 27-17 lead.
Chrebet lost a fumble in the final minute of the loss to Chicago.
With the win, the Jets further muddled the AFC East race. New York, which closes the season at home against Green Bay, tied New England (8-7) for second place in the divison, one game behind Miami.
New England lost control of its playoff destiny with its second straight defeat. The Patriots could have won the division with wins over the Jets and at home next week against the Dolphins.
If the Patriots win next week and the Jets upset the Green Bay Packers, New York would win the division.
Brady struggled the entire night and was the target of boos from the crowd. He had less than 100 yards passing until padding his stats in the final 2:31 of the contest. He finished 19 of 37 for 133 yards with one touchdown and an interception.
The Jets and Patriots join San Diego, Denver and Cleveland heading into the final weekend of the season with an 8-7 record.
