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The old man did it again.

Sorry, dad, but he's 39 and playing like he's 29.

Brett Favre continues to silence his critics -- ahem, Green Bay -- in leading the New York Jets to sole possession of the AFC East for the first time in seven seasons.

And he did it in the harshest conditions, as the 24-6 first-half lead he built at New England last Thursday evaporated into the brisk Foxborough air when the Patriots came storming back to tie it with 10 minutes remaining in regulation.

Think the Packers' front office was watching this one with bated breath?

It was vintage Favre all the way, orchestrating a masterful 14-play, 67-yard drive that consumed 7:06 of the fourth-quarter clock and was capped by a 1-yard plunge from the rejuvenated Thomas Jones.

But New England is accustomed to miracles, as we all know, and Matt Cassel provided fans with yet another when he connected with Randy Moss for the game-tying touchdown with one tick left on the clock. Perfect throw, even better catch, let's go to overtime.

Favre's season and presumably his career ended last season in the NFC Championship with an OT interception against the eventual Super Bowl champion New York Giants.

Not this time.

His encore to the previous drive was even more impressive, twice converting on third down -- including a third-and-15 from his own 15 on the opening series -- in marching the Jets 64 yards on another 14 plays for the game-winning field goal and a 34-31 win.

It was only New York's second win in its last 13 games against their bitter rivals. Yet it was the future Hall of Famer's 42nd win when trailing or tied in the fourth quarter.

"I was nervous as heck" heading into overtime, Favre said. "I said, `Why can't we make this easy?' But it's what I'm capable of doing.

"This one ranks right up there near the top" of all his wins.

So, where is this week's win at undefeated Tennessee going to sit?

Pundits may claim the Jets have had a soft schedule, with victories over Miami, Cincinnati, Kansas City, Buffalo and a 44-point demolition of St. Louis, or that they beat a Tom Brady-less New England squad.

Brady doesn't play defense, though.

And winning in New England is never easy.

Just ask Peyton Manning.

But at 7-3, the Jets are tied for the second best record in the AFC with Pittsburgh behind only 10-0 Tennessee, which is surrendering a mere 13.1 points a game, tops in the league.

The Titans, however, also have had the pleasure of playing Cincinnati, Houston and Kansas City and still have games against winless Detroit, Cleveland and the Texans again, making it plausible that they could run the table and go 16-0.

First they have to get through Favre and Co., winners of four straight and six of seven.

Jones is running with a purpose, leading the AFC with 854 yards and he has nine touchdowns to go along with that. Favre owns the top completion percentage (69.8) and his 18 TDs ranks third behind only Phillip Rivers and Jay Cutler.

His league-high 12 interceptions, on the other hand, may pose a problem against the NFL's sixth-ranked defense, featuring defensive lineman Albert Haynesworth, who has seven sacks.

The Jets, dogs by 5 1/2 points, have an answer for revived QB Kerry Collins, filling in for the injured Vince Young, and the thunder and lightening running tandem of LenDale White and Chris Johnson, who have 11 and five rushing touchdowns, respectively.

Last week Tennessee aired it out in a comeback win at Jacksonville, the first time this season they've showcased Collins' aging skills. It will be interesting to see which route they choose against New York's fourth-ranked rushing defense, which is third with 34 sacks.

The New York media inevitably this week questioned Favre's desire to play beyond this season. And in typical fashion, he shifted the focus as easily as he can change the course of a game with a single throw.

"No one has as much fun as me," he said. "There's nothing like throwing a touchdown pass. There's nothing like going into Foxborough and beating them when no one gave us a chance. There's nothing like going to play the undefeated team in football right now. All eyes will be on us."

Even more so when they sink the Titanic. JETS, 24-23.

Thursday

Cincinnati (plus 10 1/2) at Pittsburgh

Heart says Cincy. Logic says Pitt. STEELERS, 28-27.

Sunday

Philadelphia (plus 1) at Baltimore

Two ties in a row? Nah.

RAVENS, 14-12.

Houston (plus 3) at Cleveland

Romeo hangs onto his job for another week. BROWNS, 35-21.

San Francisco (plus 10) at Dallas

TO tears apart his first team.

COWBOYS, 38-21.

Tampa Bay (minus 8 1/2) at Detroit

Best chance to prevent 0-16 from becoming a reality. LIONS, 18-15.

Minnesota (plus 2 1/2) at Jacksonville

Vikings' second-ranked rushing D seems vulnerable. JAGUARS, 17-14.

Buffalo (minus 3 1/2) at Kansas City

Combined 10-game losing streak. Somebody has to win.

CHIEFS, 24-21.

New England (plus 1 1/2) at Miami

Miami in Week 3 ended New England's run of 21 straight regular-season wins. The Pats squish the fish's mark at four. PATRIOTS, 31-24.

Chicago (minus 9) at St. Louis

Bears' defense looked pitiful last week. The entire Rams team has all season. BEARS, 37-10.

Oakland (plus 9 1/2) at Denver

Whoever's running for Denver this week is primed for a big game. BRONCOS, 33-10.

Carolina (plus 1) at Atlanta

Panthers run over the Falcons. PANTHERS, 28-17.

N.Y. Giants (minus 3 1/2) at Arizona

Cardinals inch closer to first division crown since 1975.

CARDINALS, 24-20.

Washington (minus 3 1/2) at Seattle

No need for Hasselbeck to apologize this week. SEAHAWKS, 27-24.

Indianapolis (plus 2 1/2) at San Diego

San Diego traditionally flusters Manning. CHARGERS, 31-28.

Monday

Green Bay (plus 2 1/2) at New Orleans

New Orleans in playoff peril with loss. SAINTS, 33-30.

LAST WEEK: 8-7 (spread); 10-5 (straight up)

SEASON: 74-78-5 (spread); 90-69 (straight up)

Comments and criticisms may be sent to Clarion sports reporter Matthew Carroll at matthew.carroll@peninsulaclarion.com.