2004 New York Jets season The 2004 New York Jets season saw the team try to improve on its 6 – 10 2003 record . The Jets started the season by winning their first five games , which was a franchise record . They ultimately finished 10 – 6 , and clinched the fifth seed in the playoffs , reaching the postseason for the third time in four seasons . They upset the AFC West champion San Diego Chargers in the Wild Card round , winning in overtime 20 – 17 , but would lose in the Divisional round to the Pittsburgh Steelers , also by a score 20 – 17 in overtime . Offseason . NFL Draft . The Jets were granted the 12th pick in the first round of the NFL Draft by virtue of their 6 – 10 record in 2003 . They used this pick to take linebacker Jonathan Vilma from the University of Miami . They were also granted the maximum four compensatory draft picks as a result of losing premium free agents before the 2003 season . Regular season game summaries . Week 1 : vs . Cincinnati Bengals . The major story heading into this game was the professional debut of Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer . However , the Jets ' offense , led by running back Curtis Martin , spearheaded the Jets ' victory . After an early fumble led to a Bengals touchdown , the Jets took the lead late in the first quarter and never trailed . Martin ran for 196 yards and a touchdown , as well as a touchdown reception , and was an opening day record for Jets running backs . Quarterback Chad Pennington , making his first opening day start in his career , threw for 224 yards and two touchdowns and was an efficient 20 - for - 27 passing . Week 2 : at San Diego Chargers . The Jets got out to a 20 - point lead before holding off a second - half comeback by San Diego . Two Curtis Martin touchdowns helped stake New York to a 17 – 0 lead , which grew to 27 – 7 after a field goal and a touchdown pass from Chad Pennington to Jerald Sowell . The Chargers finally responded late in the third quarter with a four - yard touchdown run from LaDainian Tomlinson , followed by a 33 - yard touchdown pass from quarterback Drew Brees to Reche Caldwell . A one - yard touchdown pass from Pennington to Chris Baker in the fourth quarter put the game out of reach for San Diego . Martin ' s 119 yards made him the Jets ' all - time rushing leader , passing Freeman McNeil ' s mark of 8 , 074 yards . Week 4 : at Miami Dolphins . The Dolphins were looking for their first win while the Jets were looking to stay undefeated . Midway through the first quarter , Santana Moss returned a punt 24 yards to set up a 1 yard touchdown run by Curtis Martin . The Dolphins responded with 2 field goals . Leading 10 – 6 late in the 2nd quarter , Jets quarterback Chad Pennington was picked off by Arturo Freeman to set up a third Olindo Mare field goal and a 10 – 9 deficit . On Miami ' s opening drive of the second half , quarterback Jay Fielder was intercepted by Donnie Abraham who returned in 66 yards for a touchdown putting the Jets ahead 17 – 9 . That ' s all the cushion the Jets would need as the Jets went on the force 3 more turnovers and hold on to beat the Dolphins keeping them undefeated at 3 – 0 Week 5 : vs . Buffalo Bills . The Jets looked to go 5 – 0 , while the Bills looked for their first win of the year . The Jets started off strong with a 61 yard drive to the Bills 11 , however Doug Brien ' s 29 yard field goal attempt on 4th down was wide left . Both teams traded punts before the Jets went on a 79 yard drive which took 4 : 12 off the clock and ended on a Chris Baker 1 yard touchdown reception from Pennington . Both teams traded punts once again before the Jets advanced to the Bills 19 and Doug Brien nailed a 37 yard field goal seconds before halftime . With 6 : 56 left in the 3rd Pennington hit Wayne Chrebet on a 27 yard catch which set up a 36 yard field goal by Brien . After a Bills punt Pennington led the Jets down the field before he was intercepted by Jeff Posey . The Bills then advanced 53 yards before Bledsoe hit Mark Campbell on a 16 yard Touchdown . After a Jets punt , Bledsoe led the Bills on a 63 yard drive capped off on a 46 yard Lee Evans touchdown giving them the 14 – 13 lead with 6 : 58 left in the game . However the Jets wouldn ' t go down and went on a 60 yard drive which ended on a game winning Doug Brien 38 yard field goal with 59 seconds left in the game . The Bills were able to get to their own 48 yard line before Bledsoe threw a game sealing interception to Terrell Buckley with 2 seconds remaining in the game . Playoffs . Wild Card Round : at San Diego Chargers . The Jets came into the game having lost 2 straight while San Diego was on a roll . The Jets started out the game well driving down the field on their opening drive only to see kicker Doug Brien miss a 33 yard field goal wide right . In the second quarter , Chargers quarterback Drew Brees found receiver Keenan McCardell for a 26 yard touchdown pass to give San Diego a 7 – 0 . The Jets responded as Jets quarterback Chad Pennington found Anthony Becht for a 13 yard touchdown pass to tie the game . New York kept the momentum into the 3rd quarter as Santana Moss pulled in a perfect 46 yard touchdown pass from Pennington to give the Jets a 14 – 7 lead . The teams traded field goals . Then San Diego got the ball back with under 5 : 00 to play . The Chargers drove down to the Jets 3 yard line but faced a 4th and goal at the 3 . Bree ' s desperation pass was knocked down for an apparent Jets victory . But a roughing the passer penalty on linebacker Eric Barton gave the Chargers a second chance . The quickly took advantage of the opportunity as Brees found Antonio Gates for a 1 yard touchdown pass to send the game into overtime . 10 minutes into the extra period the Chargers were in position to win the game off the foot of rookie kicker Nate Kaeding . But his 40 yard field goal sailed wide right as the Jets took advantage of their second chance driving down to the San Diego 8 . Doug Brien connected on a 28 yard field goal to give the Jets the win and in the process advancing them to the next round to face the Steelers . Pennington ' s numbers were very impressive as he was 23 of 33 for 279 and 2 TDs . Brees was 31 of 42 for 319 yards , 2 TDs and 1 interception . Divisional Round : at Pittsburgh Steelers . The Pittsburgh Steelers were looking to make it 15 straight games as they hosted the New York Jets in the AFC Divisional Round . Pittsburgh started out well as Jeff Reed hit a 45 yard field goal then Jerome Bettis plowed into the endzone from 3 yards out to give Pittsburgh a 10 – 0 lead . But New York stormed back . Following a field goal by kicker Doug Brien , Santana Moss took a punt return 75 yards for a touchdown to tie the game . Then late in the third quarter Reggie Tongue intercepted Ben Roethlisberger and returned it 86 yards for a touchdown to give the Jets a 17 – 10 lead . Pittsburgh responded midway through the fourth quarter as Hines Ward scored on a shovel pass to tie the game . Chad Pennington and the Jets offense was shut down for most of the game however drove down the field on the ensuing drive only to see it come to a disappointing halt as Doug Brien ' s 47 field goal attempt hit the crossbar and falling just short . But on the very next play , Roethlisberger was picked off by David Barrett . Doug Brien was given a chance to win the game on the last play of regulation but missed the 42 yard kick wide right sending the game into overtime . In overtime , Roethlisberger led the Steelers 73 yards on 13 plays . Jeff Reed then connected on a 33 yard field goal to give the Steelers an improbable win and handing the Jets a heartbreaking defeat .