Jets shock Patriots; Bears advance
New York Jets at New England
From the result of New England's 45-3 thumping over New York in December, no one expected the 6th seeded Jets to back up a week of trash talk and pull off an amazing upset. No one, but the Jets.
Nothing else mattered.
Mark Sanchez threw 3 touchdowns, Shonn Greene rushed for another as the Jets held off New England 28-21 to advance to the AFC Title game. The Jets will travel to Pittsburgh to face the Steelers in a match-up that determines a Super Bowl bid.
David Harris intercepted an early Tom Brady pass and returned it to the New England 12 yard line, but the Jets couldn't put up 7 and Nick Folk missed a chip shot field goal wide left. On the next Pats series, Alge Crumpler caught a 28 yard pass to set up a Shayne Graham field goal. New England led 3-0 after 1.
But it would take the Patriots offense time to get going. After a New England punt, the Jets had the ball at their own 46. On 3rd and 6 in Patriots territory, Mark Sanchez connected with Braylon Edwards on a deep crossing route for 37 yards. 2 plays later, Sanchez found LaDainlian Tomlinson out of the backfield for a 6 yard TD, giving the Jets a 7-3 lead.
Late in the half, New England was forced with a 4th and 4 at their own 38 and they decided to go for a fake punt. However, Patrick Chung bobbled the snap, giving the Jets time to get to Chung. New York stopped him, and got the ball at the Patriots 37.
On the next play, Tomlinson found a seam up the middle and took it for 16 yards. On 3rd and 4, Sanchez found Edwards on a quick slant for the first, but he kept on going, dragging 2 Patriots into the end zone with him. New York led 14-3 at the half.
New England's first second half drive ended when Benjarvis Green-Ellis was stopped on 3rd and 1 near midfield. It also took the whole third quarter before New England finally realized the importance of this game, and they started scoring.
Brady started their last 3rd quarter drive with a 37 yard strike to Rob Gronkowski, and 16 and 12 yard passes to Deion Branch. Soon the Patriots were at the 2 yard line, where Brady connected with Alge Crumpler on a crossing pattern for 6. Sammy Morris converted the 2 point conversion, and New England was only down 14-11 after 3 quarters.
However, New York's offense picked the same time to get going too. On 2nd and 6, Mark Sanchez found a wide-open Jerricho Cotchery on a crossing route, and Cotchery picked up 58 yards. On 3rd and 4 at the 7, Santonio Holmes received a lob pass and got both feet in, getting the Jets 6 and bringing back memories of Super Bowl 43.
The Patriots next drive started well, but they were forced with 4th and 13 at the Jets 34 and Bill Belichick decided to go for it. Deion Branch had a first down catch, but the throw went off his fingertips. However, New England would get a field goal with 1:57 left, giving them hope.
Shayne Graham's onside kick was a dribbler that bounced off a Jet to midfield, but Antonio Cromartie picked it up and ran to the Patriots 20. On second and 6 Shonn Greene found a hole to the right and exploded for a 16 yard TD run, giving the Jets a 28-14 lead with 1:41 left.
However, that was enough time for New England to complete an amazing comeback. They scored a touchdown with 24 seconds left, but the same type of kick from Graham was recovered by the Jets at the New England 43. As time expired, the Jets ran on to the field, celebrating like they had won the Super Bowl. Braylon Edwards even did a backflip!
New York faces Pittsburgh next Sunday at 6:30 PM ET, 3:30 PM PT.
Weekend football headlines
Aaron Rodgers lights up Falcons as Green Bay advances with 48-21 blowout. Green Bay plays Chicago in the NFC Title game.
Jay Cutler threw for 2 touchdowns and ran for 2 as Chicago held off Seattle 35-24.
A late Hail Mary to Antonio Brown set up the GW TD run by Rashard Mendanhall as the Steelers rallied to beat Baltimore 31-24.
From the result of New England's 45-3 thumping over New York in December, no one expected the 6th seeded Jets to back up a week of trash talk and pull off an amazing upset. No one, but the Jets.
Nothing else mattered.
Mark Sanchez threw 3 touchdowns, Shonn Greene rushed for another as the Jets held off New England 28-21 to advance to the AFC Title game. The Jets will travel to Pittsburgh to face the Steelers in a match-up that determines a Super Bowl bid.
David Harris intercepted an early Tom Brady pass and returned it to the New England 12 yard line, but the Jets couldn't put up 7 and Nick Folk missed a chip shot field goal wide left. On the next Pats series, Alge Crumpler caught a 28 yard pass to set up a Shayne Graham field goal. New England led 3-0 after 1.
But it would take the Patriots offense time to get going. After a New England punt, the Jets had the ball at their own 46. On 3rd and 6 in Patriots territory, Mark Sanchez connected with Braylon Edwards on a deep crossing route for 37 yards. 2 plays later, Sanchez found LaDainlian Tomlinson out of the backfield for a 6 yard TD, giving the Jets a 7-3 lead.
Late in the half, New England was forced with a 4th and 4 at their own 38 and they decided to go for a fake punt. However, Patrick Chung bobbled the snap, giving the Jets time to get to Chung. New York stopped him, and got the ball at the Patriots 37.
On the next play, Tomlinson found a seam up the middle and took it for 16 yards. On 3rd and 4, Sanchez found Edwards on a quick slant for the first, but he kept on going, dragging 2 Patriots into the end zone with him. New York led 14-3 at the half.
New England's first second half drive ended when Benjarvis Green-Ellis was stopped on 3rd and 1 near midfield. It also took the whole third quarter before New England finally realized the importance of this game, and they started scoring.
Brady started their last 3rd quarter drive with a 37 yard strike to Rob Gronkowski, and 16 and 12 yard passes to Deion Branch. Soon the Patriots were at the 2 yard line, where Brady connected with Alge Crumpler on a crossing pattern for 6. Sammy Morris converted the 2 point conversion, and New England was only down 14-11 after 3 quarters.
However, New York's offense picked the same time to get going too. On 2nd and 6, Mark Sanchez found a wide-open Jerricho Cotchery on a crossing route, and Cotchery picked up 58 yards. On 3rd and 4 at the 7, Santonio Holmes received a lob pass and got both feet in, getting the Jets 6 and bringing back memories of Super Bowl 43.
The Patriots next drive started well, but they were forced with 4th and 13 at the Jets 34 and Bill Belichick decided to go for it. Deion Branch had a first down catch, but the throw went off his fingertips. However, New England would get a field goal with 1:57 left, giving them hope.
Shayne Graham's onside kick was a dribbler that bounced off a Jet to midfield, but Antonio Cromartie picked it up and ran to the Patriots 20. On second and 6 Shonn Greene found a hole to the right and exploded for a 16 yard TD run, giving the Jets a 28-14 lead with 1:41 left.
However, that was enough time for New England to complete an amazing comeback. They scored a touchdown with 24 seconds left, but the same type of kick from Graham was recovered by the Jets at the New England 43. As time expired, the Jets ran on to the field, celebrating like they had won the Super Bowl. Braylon Edwards even did a backflip!
New York faces Pittsburgh next Sunday at 6:30 PM ET, 3:30 PM PT.
Weekend football headlines
Aaron Rodgers lights up Falcons as Green Bay advances with 48-21 blowout. Green Bay plays Chicago in the NFC Title game.
Jay Cutler threw for 2 touchdowns and ran for 2 as Chicago held off Seattle 35-24.
A late Hail Mary to Antonio Brown set up the GW TD run by Rashard Mendanhall as the Steelers rallied to beat Baltimore 31-24.
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