Jets Hold On for Monday Night Win With Help From Another Late Brett Favre Interception

Final, Jets 29-20: Randy Moss dropped a garbage time touchdown in the end zone as the clock expired, but it wouldn't have made a difference and the Jets escape — barely — with a big-time Monday night win.

4th Quarter, 1:30, Jets 29-20: As predicted, we figured Favre would throw a game-winner one way or another, and it ended up being a game-winning interception for the Jets.

His last pass of the night was his worrst as it turned into a 26-yard interception return for a touchdown for Dwight Lowery.

4th Quarter, 1:48, Jets 22-20: Brett Favre will get his chance. The Vikings take over at their own 16. Also, keep in mind that kicker Ryan Longwell has a terrific leg.

4th Quarter, 1:56, Jets 22-20: On 2nd-and-11, the Jets … pass? The Jets elect to throw it on second down, can't convert on third and effectively give Favre and the Vikings a free timeout. Head-scratcher, for sure.

4th Quarter, 2:45, Jets 22-20: Mark Sanchez and Santonio Holmes hook up to give the Jets a big first down.

If the Jets hold on, you can bet that Brad Childdress will be second-guessed for that puzzling decision to change his mind and go for two earlier.

4th Quarter, 3:16, Jets 22-20: Alright, so it's definitely not over. Brett Favre continues his incredible second half by hitting Percy Harvin for an 11-yard touchdown pass.

It's the third touchdown pass of the half for Favre who has finally turned it on here in the fourth quarter. Again, though, he went straight to the right elbow following the pass.

4th Quarter, 3:24, Jets 22-13: Maybe it's not over. Brett Favre just found Greg Lewis for a 33-yard reception to get the Vikings deep into Jet territory. Potentially bad news for the Vikings, though, as Favre grabbed his right elbow immediately following the throw.

4th Quarter, 4:30, Jets 22-13: The Jets just scored a huge touchdown on a championship drive late in the fourth quarter.

Shonn Greene's 23-yard touchdown run could put this game away, but it's the fashion in which the Jets did it was what was so impressive.

Struggling all night on third down, the Jets picked up a couple of huge conversions, before giving the ball to their running back duo and putting it away.

LaDainian Tomlinson continued his incredible night with a 16-yard run that set up the Greene touchdown.

4th Quarter, 4:37, Jets 15-13: The Jets look like a different offense on this drive. They just picked up a huge third down conversioin and are in Vikings territory.

Most importantly, the clock continues to wind down.

4th Quarter, 7:06, Jets 15-13: The Vikings miss out on their first opportunity to take the lead and it comes even after they picked up a pivotal third-down conversion, but the drive stalled when Brett Favre and Percy Harvin couldn't hook up on the ensuing third down.

4th Quarter, 9:32, Jets 15-13: The Jets have been awful on third down tonight and it might end up costing them as they just punted away again.

You just know that Brett Favre will end up throwing a gut-wrenching pick or winning it with a miracle play. There is no in-between with him.

4th Quarter, 12:42, Jets 15-13: Say what you want about Brett Favre, but that touchdown pass was a thing of beauty. The Vikings victimize the Jets again on third-and-long. Incredible.

After a timeout following the 34-yard touchdown pass to Percy Harvin, the Vikings elected to go for two.

Favre evaded the initial pass rush, but ended up throwing an interception into the back of the end zone. Interesting decision to go for two, apparently the Vikings are banking on the Jets not finding the end zone the rest of the night. If the Jets do score a touchdown, they'll now be able to stretch their lead to two possessions with the PAT.

End 3rd Quarter, Jets 15-7: Somehow, the Vikings still have a chance to win this game. If they do pull it out, it would be a crushing blow to the Jets.

3rd Quarter, 0:45, Jets 15-7: After getting the gift of terrific field position, the Jets settle for yet another field goal, keeping the Vikings within one score.

3rd Quarter, 1:30, Jets 12-7: Talk about inexcusable. Moments after getting back into the game, the Vikings give up an 86-yard kick return down to the Minnesota 19.

3rd Quarter, 2:10, Jets 12-7: Brett Favre picks up his 500th career touchdown pass by finding Randy Moss of all people for a picturesque 37-yard touchdown pass.

Facing a third-and-17 from the 37-yard line, Favre threw it up for Moss who beat the coverage for the score.

Favre, in typical fashion, was there first one to greet him.

All of a sudden, the Vikings are back in it. All while effectively deciding countless fantasy football games across the country.

3rd Quarter, 6:11, Jets 12-0: One thing that will likely get lost in the shuffle of this one is how good the Vikings defense has been tonight.

When your offense consists of players like Brett Favre, Adrian Peterson and now Randy Moss, you figure holding the opposition to 12 points will do the job.

The Viking defense hasn't gotten that big takeaway yet, but they're not breaking and they're not giving up the big play. And up to this point, they've been great on third down, as they just forced another punt.

3rd Quarter, 12:44, Jets 12-0: If any team has ever won a game with three first downs and five punts, they're on a very short list. It's beginning to look more and more like the Vikings will not join that list.

They simply cannot do anything offensively as evidenced by yet another Chris Kluwe punt.

The Jets have limited to the Vikings to 58 yards of total offense and you get the sneaking suspicion that they'll be lucky to get to 75.

3rd Quarter, 12:44, Jets 12-0: Maybe with a defense like the Jets have it won't matter, but New York's inablitity to put the ball in the end zone tonight may be some cause for concern going forward.

Regardless, Nick Folk kicks his fourth field goal of the night and the Jets have what might be the largest 12-point lead in the history of the NFL.

3rd Quarter, 12:44, Jets 9-0:The Vikings defense gets off the field right away, but Brett Favre strikes again. His second fumble gives the Jets the ball at midfield.

3rd Quarter, 15:00, Jets 9-0:The Jets will get the ball to start the second half.

Halftime, Jets 9-0: So much for all of that Brett Favre to Randy  Moss talk.

Favre found Moss once for 7 yards in the first half. Their struggles to get on the same page has been a back story to what the Jets have been able to do defensively.

They're pressuing Favre relentlessly. The Ol' Gunslinger has been knocked down five times already, sacked twice. The Vikings, as a result, have 51 yards of total offense.

The Jets offense, on the other hand, looks good, but not great. They have over 200 yards of offense, but only a nine-point lead to show for it. As bad as Minnesota has looked on offense, they're certainly capable of snapping out of it. The Jets may rue not putting the ball in the endzone before too long if the Vikes can get anything remotely resembling offense together. Field goals only get you so far.

2nd Quarter, 0:17, Jets 9-0: Mark Sanchez just missed two open receivers for touchdowns, likely because of the weather. The Jets add another field goal, and lead 9-0.

2nd Quarter, 0:34, Jets 6-0: With the rain pouring down, Mark Sanchez just found LaDainian Tomlinson for a first down, all the way down to the 3 of the Vikings. LT continues to impress.

2nd Quarter, 1:03, Jets 6-0: The rain is coming down furiously again the Meadowlands just moments before halftime begins.

2nd Quarter, 3:59, Jets 6-0: One play after finding Randy Moss for the first time, Brett Favre ties the NFL record for most career fumbles, one that Bart Scott hops on to give the Jets possession.

2nd Quarter, 4:30, Jets 6-0: Brett Favre and Randy Moss' first connection will go down as a quiet 7-yard completion.

2nd Quarter, 5:21, Jets 6-0: Nick Folk has been more of an offensive presence than Randy Moss and Brett Favre combined.

Folk just connected on a 53-yard field goal giving the Jets a 6-0 lead.

The Jets aren't doing anything fantastic offensively, but they're certainly not making mistakes and they're controlling the field position battle.

Tomlinson continues to impress and Mark Sanchez has yet to make a glaring mistake, both large reasons the Jets are winnings. That, and their defense.

2nd Quarter, 7:00, Jets 3-0: Jared Allen chasing Braylon Edwards in coverage? It's turning into that kind of night for the Vikings.

2nd Quarter, 7:59, Jets 3-0: Antonio Cromartie is doing a tremendous job on Randy Moss, but the more pressing issue for the Vikings continues to be the play of Brett Favre.

Favre just missed badly on a third down play in which he didn't really have much pressure on him at all. It's one thing when you're missing passes with a pass rush in your face, it's another when you've some time. Of course, "some time" against the Jets is pretty subjective.

Four possessions. Four punts.

2nd Quarter, 10:55, Jets 3-0: Brett Favre is getting a crash course — literally — in what it would be like to play against his own defense.

Favre has been knocked down and hurried all night by a very active Jets defense. They're making life miserable for Favre and his numbers are suffering. He's 1 of 4 for 19 yards and Vikings have punted in each of their first three possessions.

It's usually Favre who's benefitting from a defense with a knack for getting to the quarterback.

At least Favre has something to take his mind off of a tumultuous week off the field.

2nd Quarter, 12:33, Jets 3-0: Santonio Holmes only has one catch for 11 yards, but it hasn't been due to a lack of effort on Mark Sanchez's part.

Sanchez has targeted Holmes a couple of times and he's already giving them added and needed receiving depth. 

End 1st, Jets 3-0.: After a quarter, this one is playing out just the way the Jets want it to.

They've done a great job of shutting down the Viking offense, especially Brett Favre.

Favre is only 1 of 3 through one quarter.

LaDainian Tomlinson is playing tremendously, though, for the Jets picking up 55 yards already.

1st Quarter, 3:20, Jets 3-0.: The Jets defense looks good which should come as a surprise to no one. Brett Favre just attempted a deep pass into double-coverage, which should also surprise no one.

The Vikings just punted again, their third of the night already.

Favre targeted Moss for the first time, one on each sideline, and has nothing to show for it. In fact, he forced the second one, a third-down attempt that was nearly picked off.

1st Quarter, 4:07, Jets 3-0.: Brett Favre finds Percy Harvin for a 19-yard gain on a screen pass despite Randy Moss whiffing on a block.

1st Quarter, 4:55, Jets 3-0.: LaDainian Tomlinson continues to be a tremndous pick-up for the Jets and is the biggest reason the Jets have the early lead.

LT just picked up 30 yards on a seven-play drive the culminated with a Nick Folk 25-yard field goal.

1st Quarter, 8:00 0-0.: So far, the addition of Randy Moss isn't doing much for the Vikings. Then again, there's not much he can do about all of the penalties.

The Vikes were whistled for three penalties on their opening drive, and their second drive was a simple three-and-out.

Adrian Peterson does have 26 yards on five rushes, though.

1st Quarter, 9:36 0-0.: The two teams exchange punts on their first two possessions, but somehow, the Patriots may have stolen some of this game's thunder.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Pats have re-acquired wide receiver Deion Branch from the Seahawks for a fourth-round pick.

We'll pass along more info as we get it.

1st Quarter, 14:30 0-0.: Brett Favre's like a kid out there — after the game's opening drive, though, the entire VIkings team looks like kids out there.

On the first play from scrimmage, the Vikings ran a double-reverse that ended up in the hands off Randy Moss.

Moss then found Brett Favre with a pass as the 41-year-old ran down the sidleines. It was negated by a penalty, but still, pretty interesting nonetheless.

Go figure — Randy Moss throws to Brett Favre before Favre goes to Moss. Bizarre.

9:13 p.m.: Yes, Hank Williams Jr, we are ready for some football.

Finally, roughly 45 minutes after the originally scheduled kickoff time of 8:30 p.m. ET, this game gets underway.

We'll get to see Brett Favre and Randy Moss early as the Vikings will receive.

9:02 p.m.: The players sure look ready to go judging by a little pregame skirmish on the field. Not surprising to see that following the delay and even less surprising to see Bart Scott in the middle of things.

8:57 p.m.: Various reports are saying that the game will indeed kick off at 9:15 as the weather clears up.

By the way, Cris Carter just mentioned Bernard Berrian on ESPN's MNF coverage. Makes you wonder how many fantasy football owners dropped Berrian when they caught drift of the Moss trade.

Then again, you have to wonder how many owners even had Berrian in the first place.

8:40 p.m.: Football should come at some point Monday night. When that is, that's becoming anyone's guess.

ESPN just announced that kickoff will now be at 9:15 p.m. instead of the previous re-scheduled time of 8:50, which of course, was pushed back from 8:30.

Mother Nature may be about to pull the impossible. If the rain keeps up, there's the obvious chance that it may end up disrupting the passing game. Isn't that what we're all waiting to see?

Bummer.

8:25 p.m.: The rain is coming down hard again. Unsure whether or not another delay is on the way.

Also, for those keeping score at home, the first Wrangler commercial featuring Brett Favre went down at 8:22 p.m. Unsure why those are still running, but they are.

8:05 p.m.: Sketchy weather is going to postpone the start of the game until 8:50 p.m. Talk about building suspense.

With nationally televised game, it makes you wonder…

7:50 p.m.: The weather has injected itself as yet another storyline. The skies have opened up in the New Meadowlands dumping sheets of rain on the field.

The Weather.com forecast is saying there should be storms throughout the night with a severe thunderstorm watch in effect until 10 p.m.

7:00 p.m.: All eyes trained on the Vikings offense to start the evening will be squared in on Brett Favre, Randy Moss and Adrian Peterson. There's someone else you should be on the lookout for as well, though.

If the Vikings have any sort of offensive rhythm tonight or going forward for that matter, expect tight end Visanthe Shiancoe to be a big-time beneficiary.

Favre has notoriously loved throwing to his tight ends (Mark Chmura, Bubba Franks and Donald Lee can all attest), but the addition of Moss makes Shiancoe that much more dangerous. Much like the Patriots' young tight end duo of Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez benefitted with Moss around, so will Shiancoe.

Moss will demand safety help all game, every game, likely leaving the middle of the field open for Shiancoe. Expect a big night out of him tonight.

6:30 p.m.: One big question we're looking to be answered Monday night is "What kind of impact will Randy Moss have in the Minnesota offense?"

Fans in New England are no strangers to Moss' impact on a football game. Then again, neither are Vikings fans.

But this is obviously a much different Vikings team than when Moss last played in the Twin Cities.

If the Vikings can utilize Adrian Peterson more and more, something they puzzlingly neglect way too frequently, they may be able to get even more out of Moss. Defenses will now have to choose on who to key in on — Peterson or Moss.

If they choose Peterson — which they likely will — the Vikings will have plenty of favorable matchups with Moss, something he thrives on. Mix in Brett Favre's still-present deep-ball ability, and you have a recipe for some big plays.

6:00 p.m.: ESPN's Michelle Tafoya just reported on SportsCenter that Brett Favre broke down in tears as he addressed the team Monday morning.

Favre apologized to his teammates on Monday morning for causing a distraction this week.

You really have to wonder how much more of a burden the story put on the Vikings, though. They're 1-3. They just traded for controversial wide receiver Randy Moss. Favre is having a rough year and is returning to New York for the first time as a Viking. What I'm trying to say is, the Vikings had a lot on their plate to begin with. What's one more distraction?

5:40 p.m.: ESPN's Adam Schefter is reporting that linebacker Calvin Pace and wide receiver Santonio Holmes will return to the starting lineup Monday night, in addition to Darrelle Revis.

Holmes, whose return would be pretty big news any other week, is back from a four-game suspension to make his New York debut. With the recent success of Mark Sanchez, the Jets passing game just adds another level with the addition of a wide receiver like Holmes. And, keeping with tying seemingly everything back to Brett Favre, there were racy pictures of Holmes that found their way to the Internet as well. So there's that, too.

Pace's return should just solidify an already top-tier defense in New York. If he's at 100 percent he could play a large role in helping the Jets slow down All-Pro running back Adrian Peterson.

4:45 p.m.: The Brett Favre scandal is getting its fair share of headlines as is the acquisition of Randy Moss and his seemingly never-ending feud with Darrelle Revis. It's almost enough to make you forget the importance of Monday night's tilt.

The Jets and Vikings are two teams going in seemingly different directions in their respective divisions.

We all know about the Jets. They've rebounded nicely following an ugly Week 1 defeat at the ends of the Ravens and sit atop the AFC East with a 3-1 record holding the preliminary tiebreaker as they've beaten the Patriots this season.

The Vikings, however, are 1-2 and in danger of falling even further behind in the NFC North after the Bears won again on Sunday pushing their record to 4-1. With the Packers looming at 3-2, Minnesota will need this game tonight to stay within shouting distance of the early NFC playoff picture.

It is early in the season, but it also gets late early. Not only are there tons of juicy headlines going into this one, there's also an awul lot at stake.

1:45 p.m.: It's always a big story when two teams take the field on Monday night, but this one may be as big as they come.

Brett Favre is in the middle of an embarrassing scandal, Randy Moss is making his return to Minnesota and the Jets, who are a big storyline every week regardless of their opponent, will be taking their Super Bowl quest in front of a national audience. This one's going to be good.

NESN.com will have every angle of this one covered, leading up to kickoff, which will be a little after 8:30 p.m. on the East Coast. Check back throughout the day for updates and come back for the game, as it's sure to be a big one.