The New York Jets and head coach Rex Ryan did a lot of trash talking throughout the week. Quarterback Mark Sanchez made sure he backed up his coach and teammates Sunday by tossing for three touchdowns and helping the Jets advance to it's second-straight AFC Championship game with a 28-21 victory over rival the New England Patriots at Gillete Stadium in Foxboro, MA.
The Jets will play at the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Championship next Sunday (6:30 p.m. on CBS). Last season, New York lost to the Indianapolis Colts, 30-17, in the AFC title game. In the NFC, the Chicago Bears will host divisional rival the Green Bay Packers (3 p.m. on FOX).
Sanchez out dueled All-Pro quarterback Tom Brady by tossing for 194 yards on 16-of-25 passing. Sanchez' last of three TDs went to wide receiver Santonio Holmes, who helped the Jets take a 21-11 advantage with 13 minutes remaining in the game. Jets running back Shonn Greene put the game away with 1:46 remaining, scoring on a 16-yard TD run that gave New York a 28-14 advantage.
New England scored with 24 second to go but did not recover the onside kick. The Jets then ran out the clock.
Holmes catch capped a five-play, 75-yard drive that was highlighted by a 58-yard Jerricho Cotchery reception that carried the ball to the Patriots' 13-yard line. Cotchery finished with five catches for 96 yards.
Greene finished the game with a team-best 76-rushing yards on 17 carries. Former All-Pro running back LaDainian Tomlinson ran for 43 yards and caught a touchdown pass.
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