The New York Jets won their second game against the New England Patriots this season, 28-21, to advance to the AFC Championship game. The Jets had beaten the Patriots 28-14 previously in week 2 and then lost in a humiliating 45-3 drubbing in December. But they won the most important one and are now one step away from the Super Bowl.
The Jets beat Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts and Tom Brady and the Patriots in back-to-back weeks, a first since 2001. The Patriots join the Atlanta Falcons in watching the rest of the season on TV, both having been No. 1 seeds.
The Patriots came closest to make this competitive game in the third quarter when Alge Crumpler caught a Tom Brady touchdown pass. A successful two-point conversion brought the score to 14-11 in favor of the Jets. But then Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez had a critical touchdown pass to Santonio Holmes, giving the Jets a 21-11 lead. Holmes' catch showed amazing body control (video).
Shayne Graham connected on a 35-yard field goal to make it a seven-point game at the two-minute mark. However, the Jets' Antonio Cromartie recovered the onside kick and returned it to the Pats' 20-yard line. Shonn Greene eventually ran the ball in on a 16-yard rush. The Patriots added another touchdown with 30 seconds left, but it was too little too late.
The Jets face the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field next Sunday at 6:30 p.m. ET.