“It was an error by me,” Smith said. “The chances of the ball hitting you in the foot and popping up, it’s just one of those things. When it rains, it pours.”

Carolina had a chance late to make it a one-score game, but Dwayne Jarrett’s 28-yard touchdown catch was wiped off the scoreboard when he was called for offensive pass interference.

“It wasn’t good,” Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme said. “There’s no other way to put it. We didn’t run it well. We certainly didn’t throw it well.”

Kerry Rhodes, demoted in favor of Eric Smith, picked off Delhomme on the next play for his second interception of the game to all but seal the win. A tough week for Rhodes ended on a high note — he didn’t start for the first time in his NFL career but got a game ball for his performance.

“I got the message,” Rhodes said in a brief statement after the game. “The message was sent. Now, I am moving on and you’re going to see Kerry Rhodes.”

Delhomme was 14 of 34 for 130 yards and the four INTs, and the Jets also held Smith to one catch for 5 yards and DeAngelo Williams to 40 yards rushing on 16 carries.

“This was a great win,” Ryan said. “It feels good to say that. It’s been a while.”

NOTES: Panthers DT Tank Tyler left late in the first half with an injured right leg and didn’t return. Coach John Fox said Tyler got “rolled up, but there were no broken bones.” ... In his first start of the season, Eric Smith had eight tackles to lead the Jets.

NFL game stories Quick look at Week 3 games JETS 31, DOLPHINS 23: Edwards returns to makes key TD catch  |    Highlights COWBOYS 27, TEXANS 13: Dallas avoids rare 0-3 start  |    Romo excited FALCONS 27, SAINTS 24, OT: Champs miss short FG in OT  |    Saints explain loss TITANS 29, GIANTS 10: Johnson scores 2 TDs  |    Coughlin takes blame EAGLES 28, JAGUARS 3: Vick makes Reid's decision look great  |    QB thrilled COLTS 27, BRONCOS 13: Manning throws 3 TD passes VIKINGS 24, LIONS 10: Peterson's career-long 80-yard TD keys win PATRIOTS 38, BILLS 30: 14th straight win in series for New England SEAHAWKS 27, CHARGERS 20: Washington has two kickoff returns for TDs CHIEFS 31, 49ERS 10: K.C. 3-0 for first time since '03  |    Chiefs confident STEELERS 38, BUCCANEERS 13: Batch shines in first start in 3 years RAMS 30, REDSKINS 16: Only second win in last 29 games for St. Louis RAVENS 24, BROWNS 17: Flacco fires 3 TD passes BENGALS 20, PANTHERS 7: Clausen struggles in first NFL start CARDINALS 24, RAIDERS 23: Janikowski misses 32-yard FG on final play

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