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Jets shoot down Favre’s milestone night

Brett Favre was at his dazzling best after a miserable start Monday, but there would be no classic comeback for the Minnesota Vikings’ record-breaking quarterback this time.

Jets 29 Vikings 20

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Brett Favre was at his dazzling best after a miserable start Monday, but there would be no classic comeback for the Minnesota Vikings’ record-breaking quarterback this time.

Hit hard early and often by Rex Ryan’s physical defence, Favre nearly led the Vikings back with a milestone night, but Dwight Lowery returned an interception 26 yards for a touchdown with 1:30 left as the New York Jets beat the Vikings 29-20 in a game that was delayed 45 minutes at the start by lightning.

Lacking fireworks early, Nick Folk kicked five field goals for the Jets (4-1), two after fumbles by Favre, and now the 41-year-old quarterback is left wondering if an even bigger punishment is in store from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.

Favre finished 14-for-34 for 264 yards for the Vikings (1-3) hours after he apologized to teammates for the distraction caused by an NFL investigation into allegations that he sent racy messages and lewd photos to a Jets game hostess in 2008.

He became the first NFL player to throw 500 touchdown passes and pass for 70,000 yards, but the two early fumbles against his former team helped put the Vikings in a 12-0 hole.

Favre threw three touchdowns, including two to Percy Harvin — the second bringing the Vikings within two points with 3:09 left in the game. Favre and the Vikings offence had the ball with 1:43 remaining and poised for a winning drive — until Favre’s last big mistake.

He connected with new teammate Randy Moss from 37 yards out late in the third quarter to cut the Jets’ lead to 12-7. Favre zipped down the field and jumped into Moss’ arms in the end zone to celebrate the score.

Less than five minutes later, Favre hit Harvin for a 34-yard touchdown that made it 15-13 with 12:47 left. But Favre’s tying two-point conversion try was intercepted by Antonio Cromartie in the end zone.

Shonn Greene’s 23-yard touchdown run with 4:30 left gave the Jets a 22-13 lead that appeared to seal the victory, but Favre still had plenty of time to try for a comeback victory.