Remembering the top New York Jets victory against the other 31 NFL teams
The New York Jets accomplished one feat in 2023: they finally beat their 31st other NFL team when they defeated the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 6. As star-crossed as this franchise is, there have been many memorable victories in their 74-year history. Let’s recount the Jets’ best win against the 31 other franchises.
Buffalo Bills: 2002 Week 1 (37-31, OT)
You can just as easily insert the 2023 epic Week 1 win against Buffalo in overtime, with Xavier Gipson’s 65-yard walk-off punt return touchdown securing the victory. However, since the game came at the cost of Aaron Rodgers and therefore the Jets’ entire season, it seems unfair to call it the Jets’ best victory ever over the Bills.
Therefore, we go back to a different Week 1 walk-off win — on Chad Morton’s kickoff return touchdown in 2002. Astoundingly, it was Morton’s second return touchdown of the day. As a bonus, the Jets backed into the playoffs that season at 9-7, making the win critical.
The Jets also trailed 10-0 in the game, making it a comeback, to boot.
Miami Dolphins: 2000 (40-37, OT)
How can the Monday Night Miracle not be included here? It’s only one of the best comebacks in NFL history. However, Wesley Walker’s four-touchdown game in 1986, which ended 51-45 in overtime, is a close second.
New England Patriots: 2010 AFC Divisional (28-21)
Playoff games always take precedence over regular-season showdowns. The Jets’ last playoff victory, 13 seasons ago and counting, was a true New York beatdown over The Hoodie and the bully Patriots. No one ever went into Foxborough to beat Brady, but Rex Ryan, Mark Sanchez, and the upstart Jets did just that. It was the same Jets team that had been blown out by New England 45-3 earlier in the season.
Bart Scott’s “Can’t wait!” and Braylon Edwards’ backflips are sweet memories for Jets fans.
Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts: 1968-69 Super Bowl (16-7)
The lone Lombardi. Joe Namath. What more is there to say?
Tennessee Titans/Houston Oilers: 2008 (34-13)
The Kerry Collins-led Titans were astoundingly 10-0, while the Brett Favre-backed Jets were 7-3. The Jets went into Tennessee and thumped the Titans, 34-13, to make them 8-3 and place them in a tie with the Patriots for first place in the AFC East. It was all downhill from there for the Jets, as they lost four of their last five and fell short of the playoffs. But for one glorious moment, the Jets had beaten the best team in football and appeared to be legitimate Super Bowl contenders.
Jacksonville Jaguars: 1998 AFC Divisional (34-24)
The 1998 Jets were a really good team. Mark Brunell’s three touchdown passes could not keep up with Keyshawn Johnson’s two scores (one reception, one rush), Curtis Martin’s two one-yard scores, and John Hall’s two field goals. The Jets went to the AFC Championship Game.
Houston Texans: 2010 (30-27)
The 7-2 Jets were facing the 4-5 Texans. The game seemed to be going well for the Jets early in the fourth quarter, as they had a comfortable 23-7 lead. However, two touchdowns and two field goals later, Houston had pulled ahead 27-23. Neil Rackers’ 22-yard boot with 59 seconds remaining appeared to be the dagger. However, Mark Sanchez took the ball at his own 28 with 49 seconds left and marched 72 yards in five plays for the game-winning score. The kill shots were a 42-yard pass down the right sideline to Braylon Edwards, followed by a six-yard gorgeous lob to Santonio Holmes in the back-left corner of the end zone. The Jets escaped at home, 30-27.
The 2023 beatdown of C.J. Stroud, 30-6, was under consideration, but a comeback like that must take the cake.
Pittsburgh Steelers: 2010 (22-17)
The Jets are 7-20 lifetime against Pittsburgh, so there aren’t that many games to choose from. This one was a big one, though, as the 9-4 Jets went to Pittsburgh to face the 9-4 Steelers in a game with many playoff implications. Santonio Holmes returned to Pittsburgh for the first time since his trade to the Jets; Holmes won Super Bowl MVP for the Steelers in 2008.
Brad Smith started the game with a 97-yard kick return touchdown. Mark Sanchez’s lone touchdown of the day was a seven-yard run. With the score 20-17 Jets in the fourth quarter, the Jets’ defense tackled running back Mewelde Moore for a safety, making it 22-17.
The Steelers drove down to the Jets’ 10 with time winding down, but Ben Roethlisberger’s back-to-back incomplete passes allowed the Jets to squeak out a victory. That was Pittsburgh’s last loss of the regular season, as they finished 12-4 and rolled to the Super Bowl, where they lost to the Aaron Rodgers-led Packers.
Baltimore Ravens: 2016 (24-16)
The Ravens lead the all-time series 10-2, so there were only two games to choose from.
Although the other was in overtime, this 2016 game involved a 10-point comeback. The Jets trailed 10-0 at the 4:27 mark of the first quarter after Lachlan Edwards fumbled a punt in the end zone.
On their next drive, Geno Smith threw a 69-yard touchdown to Quincy Enunwa to pull within 10-7. The Ravens added a field goal for a 13-7 lead. On the Jets’ next drive, Geno Smith tore his ACL on a sack, and Ryan Fitzpatrick entered the game when the Jets regained possession. He led the Jets on a seven-play, 85-yard drive, culminating in a 13-yard touchdown pass to Matt Forte. The Ravens added a field goal at the end of the half to go back in front, 16-14.
In the second half, Joe Flacco threw an interception to Buster Skrine, who returned it to the Ravens’ three. The Jets couldn’t cash in and had to settle for a field goal, making it 17-16. Flacco threw another interception on the next drive. Forte fumbled at the Baltimore six and the Ravens recovered, but Timmy Jernigan fumbled after the recovery, and Brandon Marshall recovered to give the Jets a new possession. Three plays later, Forte scored a one-yard touchdown to put the Jets in front 24-16.
The Jets later had a field goal blocked, but the Ravens turned it over on downs, and the Jets won to improve to 2-5.
Cleveland Browns: 2022 (31-30)
All Jets fans remember this one.
This one is so recent that it’s easy to remember. After Nick Chubb ran the ball into the end zone for a 12-yard touchdown, Cleveland took a 30-17 lead with 1:55 remaining in the game. The Browns then had a 99.7% win probability, per ESPN. However, Cade York missed the extra point, leaving the Jets’ deficit at 13.
On second-and-one on the Jets’ next drive, Joe Flacco found Corey Davis wide open for a 66-yard touchdown on a blown coverage by the Browns. That brought the Jets within 30-24 with 1:22 remaining.
Braden Mann attempted an onside kick to the left side. Will Parks had the first crack at it, but the ball went through his hands. Eventually, Justin Hardee came out of the pack with the football, and the Jets got it at their own 47.
Flacco hit Michael Carter on second down for a 14-yard gain and then found Garrett Wilson on second down for 11 yards. The Jets then faced third-and-10 from Cleveland’s 15. Flacco took the shotgun snap and fired a bullet to Garrett Wilson on the post route for a touchdown with 22 seconds remaining. Because of York’s earlier missed extra point, Greg Zuerlein’s extra point put the Jets ahead, 31-30.
On Cleveland’s desperation drive, Jacoby Brissett ran the ball to the Browns’ 46. On the next play, though, Brissett did not see Ashtyn Davis roaming the middle of the field, and Davis picked him off to seal the deal.
Cincinnati Bengals: 1982 AFC Wild Card (44-17)
The Jets were 6-3 in the strike-shortened season, and the Bengals were 7-2. The underdog Jets went into Riverfront Stadium and punished Cincinnati. Freeman McNeil rushed for 211 yards in the win, and Richard Todd added 269 passing yards. Ken Anderson threw for 354 yards and 2 touchdowns, but his three interceptions crippled the Bengals. The Jets moved on.
Kansas City Chiefs: 1986 AFC Wild Card (35-15)
The 1986 Jets started the season 10-1 before losing their last five games. Still, they drubbed the Chiefs, 35-15, at home in the Wild Card round. Pat Ryan threw three touchdowns while playing for a benched Ken O’Brien, and Freeman McNeil rushed for 135 yards.
Los Angeles/San Diego Chargers: 2009 AFC Divisional (17-14)
The 2004 Wild Card round was a similar sort of game, but the Divisional win in 2009 takes precedence because it was a round later. The 13-3 Chargers were coming off a bye as the second seed in the AFC, while the Jets backed into the playoffs at 9-7 and beat the Bengals 24-14 in the Wild Card round. Nate Kaeding went 0-for-3 on field goals in the game, including misses from 36 and 40 yards. The dagger for the Jets was Shonn Greene’s 53-yard touchdown run in which he ran over several defenders, giving the Jets a 17-7 lead.
Greene finished with 128 yards on the ground. Mark Sanchez threw for just 100 yards with 1 touchdown and 1 interception. Darrelle Revis and Jim Leonhard posted interceptions for the Jets (Revis’ came off the backside of Vincent Jackson).
Los Angeles/Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders: 1968-69 AFL Championship (27-23)
Before the 1970 AFL-NFL merger, most teams considered their league’s championship to be the true championship. Therefore, the Jets’ 27-23 win over the Raiders was critically important for them. Joe Namath threw the game-winning touchdown pass to Don Maynard with 7:24 remaining. Daryle Lamonica threw for 401 yards for Oakland, but he couldn’t beat Namath’s three touchdowns. Matt Snell and Emerson Boozer combined for 122 rushing yards.
Denver Broncos: 1978 (31-28)
The Jets trailed 28-7 at one point in the second quarter but rallied to score three touchdowns and a field goal. The game-winner was a 75-yard pass from Matt Robinson to Wesley Walker. Scott Dierking and Kevin Long combined for 174 rushing yards and two scores. Derrick Gaffney caught the Jets’ other touchdown. The Jets also recorded three interceptions in the game.
Philadelphia Eagles: 2023 (20-14)
Since the Jets won their first-ever game against the Eagles in Week 6 of the 2023 season, that’s obviously the game here. The Jets had previously lost 12 consecutive meetings with Philadelphia.
The Jets trailed 14-3 at one point, but three field goals led them back to within 14-12. A missed chip shot from Jake Elliott helped keep the game within a field goal. On third down with the Jets needing a play, Tony Adams picked off Jalen Hurts and returned it to the Philadelphia 8-yard line. The Eagles let Breece Hall score on the next play, and the Jets converted the two-point conversion to make it 20-14. Hurts could not bring the Eagles back on their next drive, and the Jets improved to 3-3 heading into their bye week.
New York Giants: 1988 (27-21)
The Jets’ 23-20 comeback victory against the Giants in overtime in 2015 was a tempting choice, but nothing beats knocking the Giants out of the playoffs in 1988. A touchdown pass from Ken O’Brien to Al Toon with 37 seconds left gave the Jets the come-from-behind victory. Ken Rose posted three sacks for the Jets, and O’Brien threw two touchdowns.
Washington Commanders: 2015 (34-20)
The Commanders won eight of the first nine games in this series, but the Jets have won the last four. In 2015, the surprisingly 3-1 Jets faced off with the 2-3 Commanders at home. The Jets fell behind 7-0 but tied the game on an 11-play, 83-yard drive, culminating in a one-yard touchdown run by Chris Ivory. The teams traded four field goals, but an 18-yard touchdown scamper by Ryan Fitzpatrick put the Jets ahead 20-13. A 35-yard touchdown strike to Brandon Marshall made it 27-13, and a 2-yard score to Eric Decker made it 34-13. The Jets rolled to a 34-20 win.
Fitzpatrick finished with 253 passing yards and two touchdowns against one interception, while Kirk Cousins averaged just 4.6 yards per attempt with two interceptions. Ivory rushed for 146 yards and added three catches for 50 yards, and Marshall had seven catches for 111 yards.
Dallas Cowboys: 2011 Week 1 (27-24)
In Week 1 of the 2011 season, fresh off their second consecutive AFC Championship defeat, the Jets faced the Cowboys at home on 9/11. The Jets fell behind 24-10 with 14:50 to go in the game. On their next drive, the Jets marched 84 yards in seven plays, culminating in a 26-yard touchdown pass from Mark Sanchez to Plaxico Burress. Dallas drove 78 yards on their next possession only to fumble the ball to the Jets, but the Jets fumbled it right back.
On their next drive, the Cowboys went three-and-out. Matt McBriar’s punt was blocked by Joe McKnight, and Isaiah Trufant returned it for a touchdown, tying the game. The teams traded punts, and Tony Romo took over at the Cowboys’ 41. On the first play, he inexplicably forced a ball to Dez Bryant with Darrelle Revis playing underneath coverage, and Revis picked it off and returned it to the Dallas 34. Four plays later, Nick Folk hit a 50-yarder to give the Jets the lead.
On Dallas’ last possession, they attempted a lateral play and fumbled, and the Jets recovered to end the game.
Atlanta Falcons: 1998 (28-3)
The Jets are 5-9 lifetime against the Falcons, and this 1998 win was the most lopsided favorable score, especially against the eventual Super Bowl losers. The 3-3 Jets faced the 4-2 Falcons at the Meadowlands. The Falcons managed only a Morten Andersen 53-yard field goal, while the Jets scored four touchdowns: a 2-yard Curtis Martin run, a Jerome Henderson 53-yard fumble return, a 12-yard Keyshawn Johnson catch, and a 22-yard Keith Byars catch. Vinny Testaverde threw for 206 yards and two scores, while Curtis Martin carried the ball 25 times for 101 yards and a score.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 2000 (21-17)
The Jets won 10 of the first 11 meetings with the Buccaneers but have lost the last two. This 11-point comeback in the Keyshawn Johnson revenge game was their best victory. The Jets trailed 17-6 at the two-minute warning in the fourth quarter. They pulled to within 17-14 on a six-yard Curtis Martin touchdown and two-point conversion. The Jets then stripped Mike Alstott of the football and recovered to set up at the Tampa 24. Two plays later, Curtis Martin threw an option pass to Wayne Chrebet for the go-ahead touchdown. John Abraham sealed the game with a strip-sack of Shaun King.
New Orleans Saints: 1983 (31-28)
On Monday Night Football, the Jets rallied from a 14-point deficit by scoring 17 unanswered points in the fourth quarter. Kirk Springs capped off the rally with a 76-yard punt return touchdown. The Jets improved to 5-7, while the Saints fell to 6-6. Lance Mehl had a 34-yard interception return for a touchdown in the game. Though the Saints rushed for over 200 yards, the Jets prevailed.
Carolina Panthers: 1998 (48-21)
The 7-4 Jets faced the 2-9 Panthers at home. Curtis Martin rushed for 110 yards and two touchdowns, part of the Jets’ 201 rushing yards on the day. Vinny Testaverde threw for 255 yards and two scores, both to Wayne Chrebet (7-107-2), for a 147.9 passer rating. The Jets outgained the Panthers in yardage 456-216.
Green Bay Packers: 2002 (42-17)
The 8-7 Jets needed a win and help to get into the playoffs against the 12-3 Packers, who were looking to secure home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. During the game, the Jets got notice that the Patriots had beaten the Dolphins in overtime, which meant they would win the division with a victory over Green Bay.
The Jets drove 10 plays and 84 yards for a touchdown on their first drive and never looked back. It was 14-10 Jets at the half, but the Jets scored the next three touchdowns, pulling away 35-10. The game ended in a 42-17 manhandling.
Chad Pennington threw four touchdown passes in the game: two to Wayne Chrebet (3-37-2), one to Santana Moss, and one to Richie Anderson. Curtis Martin and LaMont Jordan added rushing scores. Brett Favre had just 172 passing yards and 5.2 yards per attempt.
Minnesota Vikings: 1982 (42-14)
The most lopsided victory the Jets ever recorded over the Vikings was a 42-14 roasting in the 1982 season. The Jets pulled ahead 21-0 in the second quarter and never led by less than 14 from that point on. Bobby Jackson had an 80-yard blocked field goal return for a touchdown. Richard Todd threw for 236 yards and a score, and Pat Ryan added a passing touchdown. Freeman McNeil ran for 82 yards and two scores. The Jets improved to 6-2.
Chicago Bears: 2022 (31-10)
The Jets are 4-9 lifetime against the Bears, so there aren’t too many choices. Mike White’s first game as a starter in 2022 seems as good as any. The 6-4 Jets were reeling, coming off an embarrassing 10-3 loss to the Patriots and having benched Zach Wilson. They actually trailed 10-7 at one point in this game but then owned the next four scores, three touchdowns and a field goal.
White threw for 315 yards and three touchdowns in this game, including two to Garrett Wilson (5-95-2). Zonovan Knight rushed 14 times for 69 yards. C.J. Mosley added an interception in the end zone against Trevor Siemian.
Detroit Lions: 2010 (23-20, OT)
Sam Darnold’s first game in the NFL, a 48-17 drubbing of the Lions, was also under consideration here. However, the Jets’ improbable comeback against the inferior Lions in 2010 beats it out. The Jets were 5-2, the Lions 2-5. The Jets fell behind 20-10 at the 11:51 mark of the fourth quarter, and the score remained that way at 4:36. Mark Sanchez led the Jets on a six-play, 61-yard touchdown drive, finishing it himself with a 1-yard score, to pull within 20-17 with 2:46 remaining.
Detroit got a good kick return to their own 34, but they went three-and-out on the drive. The Jets got the ball back at their own 22 with 1:40 remaining. They drove 47 yards in nine plays, aided by a Lions roughing the passer penalty on what would have been a one-yard loss. Nick Folk hit the 36-yard field goal, and the game headed to overtime.
The Jets won the toss in overtime and went to work. Brad Smith gave them starting field position at their own 32. After an incomplete pass to Santonio Holmes, Sanchez hit Holmes on a slant on the next play. Holmes broke it for a 52-yard gain, setting the Jets up at the Lions’ 16 in prime field goal range. On third down, Folk hit the game-winning 30-yard field goal, and the Jets escaped Detroit with a win.
Seattle Seahawks: 1998 (32-31)
The Jets lost the first seven matchups against Seattle but won eight of the next 14.
This game is forever known for a terrible referee call that went the Jets’ way (for once). The 8-4 Jets were facing the 6-6 Seahawks at home. The Jets trailed by 14 at one point but rallied back.
Trailing 31-25 with 20 seconds remaining, the Jets faced a 4th and goal from the two-yard line. Vinny Testaverde kept it himself, and the referees ruled that he had scored. However, replay showed that his knee was clearly down short of the goal line — only the NFL didn’t have instant replay at the time. The Jets came away with the 32-31 victory.
December 6, 1998: The Jets beat the Seahawks 32-31 after Vinny Testaverde scores the game-winning touchdown on fourth and goal with 20 seconds left even though he is clearly short of the goal line. The NFL did not have instant replay at the time. pic.twitter.com/ALxwe8u9xJ
— Bad Sports Refs (@BadSportsRefs) December 6, 2019
Testaverde threw for 418 yards on 63 pass attempts in the game. Curtis Martin averaged just 2.2 yards per carry but scored a touchdown. Keyshawn Johnson pulled down nine balls for 114 yards and a score, and Wayne Chrebet added seven for 74.
San Francisco 49ers: 2004 (22-14)
The Jets are 3-11 all-time against the 49ers, so there aren’t many options to choose from.
The 2004 49ers were putrid, finishing 2-14 and earning the No. 1 overall pick in the 2005 draft. On that day, the Jets were 4-0 and the 49ers 1-4. However, San Francisco had a 14-0 lead at the 7:23 mark of the second quarter.
The Jets would post the next four scores, though, with a field goal and three touchdowns. Curtis Martin carried the load with 25 rushes for 111 yards and 2 touchdowns. Jonathan Vilma nabbed an interception, and Jason Glenn had a fumble recovery. The Jets escaped with a win.
Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams: 2008 (47-3)
The 2008 Rams were 2-14, and the Jets capitalized on their awfulness pretty well. It was a rare drubbing that the Jets put on another team. Brett Favre attempted only 19 passes. Thomas Jones rushed for 149 yards and three touchdowns, and the Jets totaled 206 yards on the ground. Dustin Keller caught six balls for 107 yards and a score. The Jets improved to 6-3 on the season.
Arizona/Phoenix/St. Louis Cardinals: 2008 (56-35)
The Kurt Warner-led Cardinals would make it all the way to the Super Bowl in 2008, but the Jets stopped them in their tracks for one week. Brett Favre threw a whopping six touchdowns, including three to Laveranues Coles. While Warner threw for 472 yards and two scores, he also threw three interceptions, and most of his yardage was in garbage time. The Jets recovered four Arizona fumbles, as well.
A scary hit by Eric Smith on Anquan Boldin had the teams come together in prayer.
