For much of this bitter rivalry game at Gillette Stadium, the Patriots seemed intent on handing the Jets a win and a trip to the AFC championship game next week.
It wasn’t until the first play of the fourth quarter, though, that the Jets and second-year quarterback Mark Sanchez finally took it, helping New York to a shocking 28-21 victory in the AFC playoffs and backing up a week's worth of trash talk.
The Jets had the Patriots on the ropes, 14-3, in front of a deflated crowd late in the third quarter, when Tom Brady pushed the team down the field with an eight-play drive capped by a two-point conversion that cut the lead to a field goal.
But Sanchez -- so often seen as the Jets' weak link -- completed a pass to a wide open Jerricho Cotchery, who hit the sideline and took the pass 58 yards down to the New England 13-yard line. That set up a perfect touchdown strike from Sanchez to Santonio Holmes, who made a diving catch in the corner of the end zone to give the Jets a 21-11 lead.
Just like that, whatever momentum the Patriots had gained from their touchdown drive disappeared, and it was Sanchez -- who finished with 194 yards and three touchdowns on 16-for-25 passing -- who out-Brady-ed Tom Brady.
For the Patriots, the game was marked by the kinds of mistakes the Patriots simply haven’t made all year. Brady entered the game having thrown 355 consecutive passes without an interception, but on his fifth pass attempt he overshot running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis in the flat after a fake reverse and was picked off by linebacker David Harris.
Later in the quarter, after Brady drove the Patriots down to the Jets’ 7-yard line, he zipped a pass to the hands of tight end Alge Crumpler, but Crumpler dropped the sure touchdown. On the next play, Brady was sacked, one of five Jets sacks on the night. Sacks had been rare in these parts -- opponents got to Brady only 25 times during the regular season.
The game unraveled further for the Patriots in the second quarter, highlighted by a failed gamble taken by coach Bill Belichick on a fake punt with 1:14 to play in the half. New England, trailing 7-3, had the ball on a fourth-and-4 at the 44-yard line, and Belichick called for a direct snap to Patrick Chung. But Chung dropped the ball and was smothered by Jets. Sanchez then drove the Jets 37 yards in 33 seconds to put them up, 14-3.
To top it off, as the Patriots were driving for a late scoring attempt just before halftime, offensive tackle Logan Mankins was whistled for a personal foul after he took a cheap shot on cornerback Marquice Cole. The Patriots, who were called for just one penalty in the last meeting of the two teams, were penalized six times on the night.
The Jets, of course, had their hands in forcing Patriots’ mistakes and made precious few of their own.
Their defensive backfield did an outstanding job locking up Patriots receivers, and very often the sacks sustained by the Patriots were coverage sacks and Brady could only find tight ends for short gains. In the first half, only one Patriots wide receiver (Wes Welker) had a catch and Brady only targeted his wide receivers four times. The Jets also took advantage of one of the Patriots’ biggest weaknesses, third-down defense, converting six of 13 third-down opportunities.
Because of that, Sanchez and the Jets will play for a shot at the Super Bowl for the second consecutive year. New York will take on the Steelers next Sunday at Pittsburgh's Heinz Field (6:30 p.m. ET, CBS). The Jets won there in Week 15, 22-17.
Washington Redskins cornerback DeAngelo Hall (23) of the NFC was named the most valuable player of the 2011 NFL Pro Bowl Sunday, Jan. 30, 2011 in Honolulu.
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and coach of the AFC.
Washington Redskins cornerback DeAngelo Hall (23) runs after an interception.
NFC running back Adrian Peterson, of the Minnesota Vikings, prepares for a handoff from New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9).
San Diego Chargers and AFC quarterback Philip Rivers (17) drops back to pass.
Tennessee Titans and AFC running back Chris Johnson (28) is tackled by New Orleans Saints and NFC strong safety Roman Harper (41).
NFC quarterback Matt Ryan, of the Atlanta Falcons, looks to pass as running back Michael Turner (33), also of the Falcons, comes out of the backfield, and guard Jahri Evans (73), of the New Orleans Saints, blocks.
Oakland Raiders tight end Zach Miller (80) of the AFC helps clear the way for Tennessee Titans kick returner Marc Mariani (83) of the AFC.
St. Louis Rams running back Steven Jackson (39) of the NFC runs through Kansas City Chiefs strong safety Eric Berry (29) of the AFC to score a touch down.
AFC running back Jamaal Charles (25), of the Kansas City Chiefs, runs the ball in for a touchdown.
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Brent Grimes (20) of the NFC, right, celebrates with Arizona Cardinals strong safety Adrian Wilson (24) of the NFC after Grimes made an interception.
Washington Redskins cornerback DeAngelo Hall (23) runs after an interception.
NFC cornerback DeAngelo Hall, of the Washington Redskins, celebrates an interception, as cornerback Brent Grimes (20), of the Atlanta Falcons, smiles in the background.
New England Patriots cornerback Devin McCourty (32) of the AFC breaks up a pass intended for Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) of the NFC.
NFC free safety Antrel Rolle, of the New York Giants, and linebacker Jon Beason (52), of the Carolina Panthers celebrate.
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick (7) of the NFC rolls out to pass while playing against the AFC.
