EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — After struggling all game, Brett Favre connected with Laveranues Coles for a 15-yard touchdown pass with 1 minute left as the New York Jets escaped with a 28-24 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs today.

The heavily favored Jets overcame three interceptions by Favre and an upset-minded Chiefs team using its third-string quarterback.

Leon Washington returned Steve Weatherford's punt 37 yards — and even dragged the punter on his back for a few of those yards — to put the Jets (4-3) in terrific field position at the Chiefs 46.

After taking a sack, Favre connected with Chansi Stuckey for 18 yards, Dustin Keller for 5 and Washington for 5 more. After Washington had a 5-yard run, Favre floated a pass to Coles, who fought off Dimitri Patterson to make a one-handed catch in the front of the end zone.

Tyler Thigpen, making his second NFL start, got the Chiefs (1-6) downfield quickly for one final shot. But his pass on fourth-and-1 to Will Franklin was knocked away by Drew Coleman.

Favre finished 28-of-40 for 290 yards and two touchdowns and the three INTs. Washington caught a pass for a score and ran another in, and Thomas Jones also ran for a touchdown.

Thigpen was 25-of-37 for 280 yards and touchdowns to Tony Gonzalez and Mark Bradley in relief for the injured Brodie Croyle and Damon Huard, both out for the season with injuries.

The Chiefs, in former Jets coach Herm Edwards' return to the Meadowlands, appeared on their way to victory when rookie cornerback Brandon Flowers returned his second interception of the game 91 yards for a touchdown. That gave Kansas City a 24-21 lead with 7:48 left.

From the Chiefs 8, Favre threw a pass intended for Stuckey that Flowers picked off and returned down the left sideline untouched.

A stunned Favre walked off the field as the crowd booed loudly. A few minutes later, the veteran quarterback had everyone cheering again, hugging Coles and celebrating the go-ahead score.

New York took a 21-17 lead with 48 seconds left in the third quarter when Jones bulldozed in from 1 yard.

Earlier, the Jets got to work right away, going 73 yards on their opening drive for a 7-0 lead on Washington's 18-yard catch-and-run. Favre flicked the ball over a defender to Washington, who scampered 18 yards for the score.

New York blew a scoring chance on its next possession when Jay Feely was wide left on a 36-yard field goal.

Kansas City took advantage of another turnover by Favre, whose pass to Cotchery was intercepted by Flowers. Favre stayed on the ground for a few moments after taking a hit from behind by Tamba Hali, and was looked at by trainers, but came back in on the Jets' next series.

The Chiefs needed just four plays to capitalize. Gonzalez brought down a high pass from Thigpen in double coverage as he beat Dwight Lowery in front of him and Calvin Pace into the end zone to tie it.

Washington gave the Jets a 14-7 lead with 1:48 remaining in the half on a career-high 60-yard sprint. The Chiefs tied it with 4 seconds left in the half on an 11-yard catch by Mark Bradley, a play that was originally called incomplete but was overturned by a video review.

Connor Barth's 30-yard field goal capped a 12-play drive that opened the second half and gave Kansas City a 17-14 lead.