QUARTERBACKS Chad Pennington (22-29, 258 yards, 2 TDs) showed why he inspires confidence throughout the franchise when he engi neered a clutch fourth-quarter touchdown drive.
RUNNING BACKS Curtis Martin (31-119, 2 TDs, 6-25 re ceiving) is hitting the holes decisively and running each play as if it is his last. Unsung Jerald Sowell (5-56, 1 TD) is a depend able safety-valve option.
WIDE RECEIVERS Santana Moss (4-97) made dynamic 48-yard catch against Quentin Jammer on the game-clinching drive. Justin McCareins (2-9) and Wayne Chrebet (0-0) were mostly decoys. Jonathan Carter (1-46) set up the opening scoring drive.
TIGHT ENDS TE Chris Baker caught a decisive 1-yard TD pass but dropped a 20-yard pass and couldn’t snag another catch able TD opportunity.
OFFENSIVE LINE The New York Block Exchange domi nated early, and with inexperienced Jon athan Goodwin in for Kevin Mawae (hand) at center, functioned efficiently for Pen nington with the game on the line. They did not allow a sack or do anything stupid.
DEFENSIVE LINE Only one sack in 35 pass attempts. De wayne Robertson (five tackles) and Shaun Ellis (one big deflected pass) split it early. John Abraham was virtually invisible.
LINEBACKERS Sam Cowart was on his way to an other stellar game (five tackles) when he went down late in the first half with a sprained left knee. Eric Barton (four tackles, one fumble recovery) adds swagger.
SECONDARY Jon McGraw knifed in front of TE Anto nio Gates for a midfield interception, but his roughing-the-passer penalty that left Drew Brees with a concussion cost a TD. Rookie Erik Coleman registered his second pick in two games and recovered a fumble off a blitz.
SPECIAL TEAMS Tim Dwight’s 87-yard TD kickoff return that changed the momentum didn’t make Mike Westhoff a happy camper yesterday. LaMont Jordan struggled on kick re turns until a 27-yarder at end.
KICKING GAME Toby Gowin averaged 42 yards on five punts and didn’t resemble Matt Bahr when Dwight left him flat-footed. Doug Brien booted 28- and 23-yard field goals.
COACHING Herm Edwards should have taken a shot at the end zone before the half in stead of sitting on the ball. But he’s an early Coach of the Year candidate along with Jack Del Rio (Jags) and Steve Mariucci (Lions).
