Jets -- 34
Jaguars -- 24EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- With the field covered with shadows, the temperatures dipping into the low teens and the clock ticking off its final seconds, Curtis Martin gazed into the stands at Giants Stadium and saw an incredible sight.
Most of the long-suffering souls in the record crowd of 78,817 were still on hand on this early January day for a Jets' game, -- yes a Jets' game -- smiling, hugging and cheering and giving one of many final shouts of "J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets."
Beating the Jacksonville Jaguars 34-24 Sunday behind two touchdowns apiece by Curtis Martin and Keyshawn Johnson has not only moved Bill Parcells' Jets within a game of its first Super Bowl since 1969, it has also seemingly restored a downtrodden franchise that two years ago posted a 1-15 record.
Not even the prospect of a game at Denver next Sunday with the defending champion Broncos (15-2) took away from the enthusiasm.
"The way I feel about the fans, I'm glad we've been able to do what we've done," Martin said. "I kind of see the appreciation of the fans and the organization through the guys who were here then. They are grateful. I mean they are feeling like they have never felt before."
That aside, these Jets (13-4) are not satisfied just making their first conference title game since 1982. And they also know they will have to play a lot better next Sunday than they did in beating the error-prone Jaguars (12-6) for their first postseason win in 12 years and seventh straight this season.
"They (the Broncos) are a Super Bowl team, and that's what we want to be," said Johnson, who had a spectacular game with nine catches, a fumble recovery and an interception to go along with two TDs, one rushing and one receiving.
Against the Jaguars, the Jets rolled up 429 total yards and 29 first downs while holding the ball for 39:16, including all but 51 seconds of the second quarter. Martin, Johnson and Vinny Testaverde (24 of 36 for 284) were the keys to the offense.
Martin had 124 yards rushing on 36 carries, six catches for 58 yards and scored on two 1-yard runs in the third quarter. Johnson had 121 receiving yards, including a 21-yard TD catch to cap the Jets' opening drive, and a 10-yard run on a second-quarter reverse to push the lead to 17-0.
Jets' mistakes helped set up two of Mark Brunell's three touchdown passes. The first came on a 52-yard bomb to Jimmy Smith on the final play of the first half.
After Martin's first touchdown run restored the 17-point lead, Reggie Barlow's 88-yard return on the ensuing kickoff set up a 3-yard, fourth-down TD pass to Keenan McCardell. A fourth-quarter fumble by Wayne Chrebet led to a Mike Hollis' field goal that narrowed New York's lead to 31-24, while Testaverde threw an interception in the end zone with 2:24 to play.
The Jaguars were just as giving.
"There were too many errors made," Jaguars coach Tom Coughlin said. "Turnovers when we couldn't have turnovers, mistakes we made with the ball. They were all huge factors when you get to the end of the game and you're going back and totaling everything up."