Jets, Bears advance to conference championships

Published 2:17 am Monday, January 17, 2011

Jets 28, Patriots 21

At Foxborough, Mass., the New York Jets (13-5) had a 14-3 lead over their fierce rival at halftime and made it stand up, getting a leaping touchdown catch from Santonio Holmes after New England rallied.

Holmes is best-known for a brilliant grab that won the 2009 Super Bowl for the Steelers, and now he’s one win away from getting a shot at another title with his new team.

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Brady and the Patriots (14-3) lost their third straight postseason game, this defeat coming to the team they beat 45-3 during the regular season.

“We gave up too many points and we didn’t score enough,” New England coach Bill Belichick said in one of his typically bland assessments. “We just didn’t do a good enough job.”

Ryan is the exact opposite of his New England counterpart, going so far as to claim the playoff game was actually a matchup between the coaches.

“I was dead wrong,” Ryan quipped. “I thought it would come down to me and Belichick. Thank goodness it didn’t. He won that battle like he always does. It came down to the players and assistant coaches — and we won that battle.”

Sanchez completed 16 of 25 passes for 194 yards, also connecting with LaDainian Tomlinson and Braylon Edwards on touchdown throws. Brady was 29 of 45 for 299 yards, with two touchdowns and one interception.

Bears 35, Seahawks 24

Chicago (12-5) raced to a 28-0 lead at snowy Soldier Field, ensuring the NFL won’t have a .500 team playing for a spot in the Super Bowl.

The Seahawks (8-10) had eliminated defending champion New Orleans in the opening round, but they didn’t come close to pulling off another upset.

Jay Cutler passed for two touchdowns and ran for two more to lead the Bears. He especially enjoyed scoring twice with his feet, reaching the end zone from 6 and 9 yards out.

The Seahawks hoped to duplicate a 23-20 victory at Chicago in October. No chance. The Bears allowed just 111 yards through the first three periods.

“I would have loved to have got this game today that so many people didn’t think we could,” Seattle coach Pete Carroll said. “I see where we’re going and I’m proud of that.”