Jets 24, Saints 20
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Vaughn Sanders' 1-yard run with 1:17 left capped a 72-yard touchdown drive led by fellow rookie Chad Pennington as the New York Jets overcame four turnovers to beat New Orleans 24-20 in a preseason opener Saturday night.
The Jets converted seven of 10 third-down plays and moved the ball well all night as their three quarterbacks — Vinny Testaverde, Ray Lucas and Pennington — combined to complete 25 of 33 passes.
But New York fell behind 20-17 with 4:56 left on Chad Morton's 77-yard punt return before Pennington, who was 10-for-13 passing, led the decisive drive that also included Sanders' run of 17 yards to the Saints' 13.
Pat Barnes, making his first appearance of the game, then drove the Saints to the Jets' 28 with the help of a 40-yard pass to P.J. Franklin, but Scott Frost's end-zone interception with 10 seconds left sealed the outcome.
The Saints were hit with three possibly season-ending injuries. Starting tight end Cam Cleeland tore his left Achilles' tendon, starting free safety Rob Kelly broke his right leg and cornerback Steve Israel broke his left leg.
Testaverde, in his first game appearance since he ruptured an Achilles' tendon in the Jets' season-opener last Sept. 12, gave the Saints a touchdown late in the first quarter, underthrowing a short pass that was intercepted by Sammy Knight and returned 65 yards. The extra-point snap was fumbled by Toby Gowin.