Panic is setting isn’t quite setting into the New York Jets locker room, but it’s not far off. It was about 15 yards away - as in the winning TD toss to Laveranues Coles with a minute to play - on Sunday when New York went down to the wire against a hapless Chiefs team.

The Jets were able to overcome three Brett Favre interceptions and escape with a 28-24 home win.

With the win, New York improved to 4-3, but the moderate success has been more a product of the team’s schedule than its performance. The cushy schedule, which has included three wins over last-place teams Miami, Cincinnati and Kansas City, gives way to road contests against Buffalo, New England and Tennessee in the next four weeks.

New York’s fate is still in its own hands, but things must get better in a hurry to remain in the hunt for a playoff berth. Matchups at Buffalo (5-2) and New England (5-2) are critical in the AFC East, but they are two opponents that demand better efforts, both from the Favre-led offense and a porous defense.

These upcoming contests will serve as the ultimate judge and jury on The Brett Favre Experiment. So far, the results have been mixed. There have been highs and lows for Favre, none higher than a six-touchdown performance against Arizona in Week 4. But, remove that effort from his season stat line, and what’s left are nine touchdowns, 10 interceptions and zero games with 300 yards passing.

For better or worse, Favre is as explosive — and implosive — as any quarterback in the NFL. As of Sunday afternoon, he was tied for second in the NFL with 15 touchdown passes, but tied for the league lead (with recently demoted J.T. O’Sullivan) with 11 interceptions. Favre has thrown at least one pick in six straight games, including seven in his last three.

So, entering the most critical stretch of the Jets young season, the question remains. Will we see Dr. Jekyll or Mr. Hyde? The league’s all-time passing leader, or the league’s all-time interceptions leader? The answer to those questions will determine if the Jets are still playing come January.

In other Week 8 news …

WESTBROOK BACK IN ACTION
Philadelphia Eagles running back Brian Westbrook made a triumphant return from ankle and rib injuries that had sidelined him for the better part of three games. He rushed for a career-high 167 yards and two touchdowns, leading the Eagles to a 27-14 win over the Atlanta Falcons. As the Philadelphia Inquirer surmised, an energized Westbrook was ready to “uncoil” against the Falcons.

Fantasy Spin: Those who drafted Westbrook found themselves behind the eight ball, getting few contributions from a player who was supposed to carry their teams. He missed two games and parts of two others, but could make up for lost time with a big push towards the fantasy playoffs. The chances of that happening are pretty good after the way he came out of Philly’s Week 7 bye.

DALLAS USES BIG ‘D’ TO SNAP LOSING STREAK
The Dallas Cowboys got defensive in handing the visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers a 13-9 loss at Texas Stadium on Sunday. The two teams combined for just 434 total yards and 9-of-32 third down conversions, a defensive struggle that hadn’t been a signature of Cowboys victories. But, in the absence of quarterback Tony Romo, Tim Cowlishaw of the Dallas Morning News says winning ugly is acceptable at Texas Stadium.

Fantasy Spin: Winning ugly may be acceptable in the NFL, but it doesn’t do fantasy owners much good. As Brad Johnson steers the Cowboys’ ship, offensive fireworks are an extreme unlikelihood. Wide receivers Terrell Owens, Roy Williams and Patrick Crayton all get downgraded until Romo returns, while tight end Jason Witten looks to recover from a rib injury suffered against Tampa.

BIG BEN’S BAD DAY
Five sacks, four interceptions. Those were the vital statistics for Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in a 21-14 loss to the New York Giants. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette says the offense slowed in the absence of suspended wideout Santonio Holmes, but the Giants’ harrassing defense also had something to do with it. Roethlisberger finished the day with a 38.5 passer rating, having completed 13-of-29 passes for 189 yards.

Fantasy Spin: The supporting cast, including a porous offensive line, has contributed greatly to Roethlisberger’s down season. Big Ben has passed for 200 yards in just two of the Steelers’ seven games, and he has taken the third-most sacks (23) in the NFL. Every week is a test of his toughness and ability to make the most of a bad situation, making every passing yard he gains a struggle.

SAINTS WIN LONDON SHOOTOUT
In what New Orleans Times-Picayune columnist Jeff Duncan called a must-win, the Saints came through with a 37-32 shootout victory over the San Diego Chargers at Wembley Stadium in London. In the face of mid-week distractions and a potentially devastating 3-5 season record, Drew Brees passed for 339 yards and three scores to help New Orleans even its record at 4-4.

Fantasy Spin: Distractions this week came in the form of positive drug tests by three Saints players, including running back Deuce McAllister. McAllister played and rushed for 55 yards and a touchdown, but the Times-Picayune is reporting that a four-game suspension is likely in the near future. Meanwhile, Brees is slowly getting his full arsenal of weapons back as Marques Colston and Jeremy Shockey work their way back to full strength.

MORE CARNAGE FROM DRUG POLICY REPORTS
Speaking of could-be suspensions, the news has spread to Minneapolis, where Vikings defensive tackles Kevin and Pat Williams have reportedly tested positive for a diuretic water pill, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune is reporting. Minnesota had a bye in Week 8, but returns in Week 9 to face a potent Houston Texans air attack in Week 9.

Fantasy Spin: One of the most disappointing defenses in fantasy, the Vikings would take a major hit if Kevin and Pat Williams are suspended. The unit’s bread and butter was stuffing the run, but was exposed time and time again through the air. Without two key pieces to its D-line, Minnesota will become vulnerable to the run as well, which would make for a miserable four-game stretch.

THREE KEY BACKS INACTIVE FOR WEEK 8
St. Louis Rams star Steven Jackson was the biggest name on a list of three running backs who missed Week 8 games with injuries. Jackson was a late scratch with a thigh injury, while Oakland’s Darren McFadden (toe) and New England’s Sammy Morris (knee) also couldn’t go. Backup Antonio Pittman was solid in Jackson’s place, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported, but the Rams missed his multi-dimensional services in a 23-16 loss to New England.

Fantasy Spin: McFadden was perhaps the biggest surprise here, though the rookie had struggled with a case of turf toe for much of the season. In his previous three games, McFadden was limited to just 26 touches while Justin Fargas and Michael Bush carried the load. Jackson and Morris were both inactive the week following breakout performances.

PALMER DENIES BEING OUT FOR SEASON
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer has denied a report by ESPN’s Chris Mortensen that he will miss the rest of the season with inflammation in his throwing elbow, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports. Coach Marvin Lewis told the Enquirer that Palmer would not likely play on Nov. 2 and said that Palmer could return on Nov. 16 against the Eagles.

Fantasy Spin: While Mortensen’s report is being refuted, it’s still unwise to rely on Palmer returning for any portion of 2008. His elbow is a serious problem, and there could be very little incentive to push it and return too quickly with the Bengals sporting the NFL’s worst record at 0-8. Odds are still better than average that backup Ryan Fitzpatrick finishes the year under center.

NEW COACH SINGLETARY MAKES STATEMENT
San Francisco 49ers coach Mike Singletary is making national headlines on Monday after two big game decisions and a fiery postgame press conference. He sent tight end Vernon Davis to the locker room early in Sunday’s 34-13 loss to Seattle and benched quarterback J.T. O’Sullivan, while falling to the futile Seahawks in his first game as a head coach.

Fantasy Spin: Fantasy owners couldn’t agree more with smacking around the talented, but troubled
Davis. Whether for selfishness or flat-out poor play, Davis needed a wake-up call. Meanwhile, O’Sullivan, the NFL’s turnover leader, was rightfully benched in favor of backup Shaun Hill in the second quarter. That move should last into Week 10, when the 49ers travel to Arizona for a Monday Night Football tilt.

Around the blogosphere …
Josh Alper wonders on NFL Fan House, did Favre call the Chiefs, too?

Sports By Brooks says that Favre is the most media-adored figure in the NFL.

Newsday’s Jim Baumbach comments on and links to Deanna Favre’s blog post defending her husband from allegations he provided information to the Detroit Lions.

Deadspin predicts Mike Singletary will kill someone before the year is over.