Jets Stun Patriots at Home in AFC East Playoff 28-21 Victory

Mark Sanchez had one of the best performances by a Jets quarterback in team history.

Sanchez managed the game exceedingly well; he did not have any interceptions, and his decision making contributed to the Jets defeating the Patriots to appear in their second AFC championship game.

This victory was part of Sanchez maturity at the quarterback position. Coach Rex Ryan was well aware that if his Jets team had any chance of defeating the Patriots, it would also depend on how well and efficient the Jets defense performed.

Coach Rex Ryan prepared his team for this very moment, as the Jets would defeat the Patriots this time around. If Coach Rex Ryan can lead his Jets to defeat the Steelers in the Divisional playoffs, then indeed, he will have bragging rites pertaining to appearing in Super Bowl XLV. ""Maybe everybody else never believed, but we believed," Ryan said. "We're moving on. Same old Jets, back to the AFC championship. The only difference is this time we plan on winning."

New York Jets led the Patriots 14-3 before halftime, and the criticism about how well Mark Sanchez would perform against the Patriots is now a passing memory, especially if he leads the Jets to a Super Bowl victory in 2011.

Mark Sanchez is in familiar territory pertaining to his success rate as a New York Jets quarterback, since the last time the Jets won a Super Bowl was 1969. Sanchez completed 16 of 25 passes for a total of 194 yards. The recipients of Sanchez 3 touchdowns were LaDainian Tomlinson, Braylon Edwards, and Santonio Holmes.

Tom Brady played a very efficient postseason game, as his 29 for 45 passes for 299 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception, but in Coach Belichick estimation, it was not enough to win the game. Give credit to the Jets defense for keeping Brady contained for the first quarter, but Brady almost led his Patriots to another comeback win in the final quarter of the game.

Now, the young Sanchez and Coach Rex Ryan have a chance to silence the critics, and this may be the year that LaDainian Tomlinson finally gets his long over due Super Bowl ring.

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