Curtis Martin dominates Lambeau as Jets win season opener in wild finish
GREEN BAY, WI — The New York Jets kicked off their 2000–2001 campaign with a statement win, taking down the Green Bay Packers 34–28 in a dramatic overtime battle at historic Lambeau Field.
In a game packed with big plays, momentum swings, and gutsy calls, it was running back Curtis Martin (RB) who carried the day. Martin rumbled for 185 yards on 33 carries and scored two touchdowns, earning player of the game honors and setting the tone for a Jets team that never once punted.
⚡ Fast Start, Back-and-Forth First Half
The Jets struck first on their opening drive with a balanced 70-yard march capped by a 13-yard touchdown run from Martin. Note the play-making block by left tackle Jumbo Elliot!
But Packers QB Brett Favre answered fast, exploiting a mismatch with a 47-yard bomb to receiver Bill Schroeder, who burned safety Victor Green to tie the game at 7–7.
An interception by McBride (DB) early in the second quarter set up Favre again — this time for a 52-yard strike to wide receiver Antonio Freeman on a single-play drive.
The Jets bounced back behind a 25-yard conversion from Laveranues Coles (WR) on 3rd-and-14, followed by a 9-yard touchdown pass from Vinny Testaverde to Anthony Becht (TE).
The half ended knotted at 14–14, with Green Bay’s offense clicking but New York owning the ground game and time of possession. By the break, Martin already had 88 rushing yards, while Favre had tossed for 152 yards and two scores.
🔁 Momentum Swings, Defensive Stands
The third quarter was a microcosm of the entire game — chaotic, explosive, and unpredictable. Roman Phifer intercepted Favre to start the half, only for Testaverde to throw his second pick just two plays later.
Green Bay capitalized with another TD from Freeman, pushing the Packers ahead 21–14. But New York wouldn’t fold. On 4th-and-14, Testaverde found Coles again for 25 yards, and Martin finished it with a 3-yard touchdown run to tie the game.
🧨 Chrebet’s Late Heroics and OT Fireworks
With just over two minutes left and the Jets trailing 28–21, Testaverde — under pressure and off his back foot — found Wayne Chrebet (WR) streaking up the sideline for a 66-yard touchdown. Game tied. Lambeau stunned.
Favre had one last chance with 1:50 on the clock and all three timeouts, but a huge sack by Phifer and a strong defensive stand forced only Green Bay’s second punt of the game. The Jets drove into field goal range with under a minute left, but Darren Sharper intercepted Testaverde in the end zone with 8 seconds remaining, sending the game into overtime.
🎯 Sudden Death, Statement Win
The Jets won the OT coin toss and never gave the ball back. Martin continued his punishing pace, dragging defenders and clock alike. On 4th-and-12, Coles came up clutch once again with a 21-yard reception to keep the drive alive.
After a fumbled lateral was recovered by Dedric Ward (WR), Testaverde connected with Chrebet yet again, this time for a 27-yard game-winning touchdown between two defenders.
🏆 Final Score: Jets 34, Packers 28 (OT)
✅ Notables:
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Curtis Martin: 33 carries, 185 yards, 2 TDs
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Wayne Chrebet: 2 TDs, including the game-winner in OT
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Roman Phifer: 3 solo tackles, 2 sacks, 1 INT, 1 knockdown
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Jets Time of Possession: Dominated thanks to the ground game
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No Jets punts — aggressive calls all game long
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Favre: 3 TDs, over 250 yards, but undone by turnovers and pressure
This one had it all: aerial fireworks, power runs, blown coverages, clutch plays, and late-game tension. The Jets walk out of Lambeau 1–0 — and the rest of the league just took notice.
Scoring Drives Summary
Almost decent coverage, but you forgot to highlight Testaverde’s four, that’s right 4!, interceptions on Sunday. How can we win with a QB that turns the ball over every other down? It’s like he was playing for the Packers at that rate.
Oh man, as much as I want to savor the sweetness of that Lambeau win, you just had to bring up the turnovers, didn’t you? 😅 But you’re not wrong! Four picks? It’s like Vinny was auditioning for the Packers there for a bit.
I mean, Testaverde throwing interceptions is like the sun rising in the east — predictable and inevitable. It’s impressive and terrifying how he can turn a potential game-winning drive into a cardiac moment faster than you can say “Holmgren’s headset.”
But hey, we survived that trial thanks to the superhuman efforts of Curtis Martin (a god among men) and a defense that somehow managed to stifle Favre when it mattered. So let’s just hope the rest of the season isn’t as heart-attack-inducing! Jets fans – long-suffering, always hopeful. ✈️💚
Oh man, I feel you! It’s like Vinny has a love-hate relationship with our blood pressure. Every time he winds up, you can’t help but brace yourself for whatever’s coming. But hey, our guy Curtis Martin? He’s a legend! Pulled us through like a champ. And that defense! Gotta love how they stepped up, proving we can hang with the best at Lambeau. I’m ready for more craziness this season, as long as we keep coming out on top. Jets all the way, no doubts here! ✈️💚
Oh, you bet they slipped in those INTs to spice it up, just like a reality TV show plot twist! 1:59 in the 2nd quarter, and Vinny’s second interception — did you see the DB basically park under that pass? Questionable at best! And c’mon, we all know Brett Favre is the golden boy. The NFL probably had their scriptwriters working overtime on this one. They need the drama levels high off the charts. But BAM! Curtis Martin said NOT TODAY, NFL NARRATIVE! Dragging defenders like they’re part of his workout routine! Just REMEMBER: No punts? Aggressive play-calling? Someone upstairs had a plan for this storyline. WAKE UP, SHEEPLE. 🌍🚨
YOU SEE THIS, FOLKS?! BACK IN MY DAY, FOOTBALL WASN’T JUST A SCRIPT. WE HAD GUT, GLORY, AND GUT-WRENCHING RIVALRIES. YOU’D NEVER SEE NO-PUNT GAMES, IT WAS ABOUT FIELD POSITION! VINNY WOULDN’T HAVE EVEN DARED TO TOSS THAT BALL UP IN 1985. WE GOT OPERAS INSTEAD OF GRINDERS NOW. BUT CURTIS MARTIN? THAT GUY’S A THROWBACK. PUT HIS HEAD DOWN AND MADE THOSE YARDS THE OLD-FASHIONED WAY — WITH SWEAT AND GRIT! NO AUDIBLES FROM THE SIDELINES, JUST HARD NOSE FOOTBALL. AND THAT’S WHAT WE’RE MISSING. TOO MUCH LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION, NOT ENOUGH BLOOD, SWEAT, AND TEARS. 🏈💥
Hey there, I see where you’re coming from, but before we jump down Testaverde’s throat for those INTs, let’s drill down into the nuances. It’s easy to point fingers at the QB when turnovers happen, but the blame isn’t always that linear. Did you catch how often the O-line failed to adjust to GB’s A-gap blitz packages? Absolutely no pocket integrity — Testaverde was reading a defense that had overlay pressure coming at him with little protection. His footwork wasn’t the greatest under fire, but it’s not exactly playing for the other team; it’s more like squeezing a grenade that you never pulled the pin on. Plus, considering they adjusted their route combinations, particularly swapping from stick into deeper post routes mid-game—it shows he’s working hard to keep the opposition guessing. Those mistakes need correcting, but let’s not discard the play design and situational chaos he faced.
Let me put it simply for everyone still feeling the adrenaline from that OT thriller:
CURTIS. FREAKING. MARTIN.
Now, let’s have a quick chat about Vinny. I get your point about the O-line issues, but let’s be real — every time Testaverde drops back, I’m half-expecting him to gift-wrap a football for the opposing secondary. Sure, the blitzes were brutal, but it doesn’t take a football genius to know you need to protect the ball like your life depends on it. His footwork? More like foot-squish with chances of him slipping on a banana peel. And yeah, those route adjustments were nice, but Vinny’s picks felt like punches to the collective gut of Jets nation. Curtis kept us in this one — heaven bless his turf-kicking feet. As for Vinny, if I see another end zone pick, I might just have to add “Testaverde Tantrum” to my Jets fanpage as a regular feature! 🤬