New York Jets: Most Memorable Games in Gang Green's History

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The New York Jets don't have the lavish trophy case of a team like the Green Bay Packers, but their history includes some of the best games ever played and won. 

Only one Super Bowl trophy brings the Jets into the realm of past champions, but as far as the league is concerned, it might have been the best and most important Super Bowl in the NFL's short history.

No doubt about it, the Jets have given hometown and league-wide fans something to talk about through the years. Here are some of the best wins the Jets have had to offer.

September 11, 2011: 10 Years Later

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Ten years after the 9/11 attacks on New York City and Washington, D.C., the New York Jets had the honor of hosting the prime-time game on the first Sunday of the 2011 NFL season.

Emotions ran high throughout the day and well into the Sunday night showdown between the Jets and the Dallas Cowboys.

Most of the game belonged to the Cowboys as the Jets struggled to find themselves on offense. Down 14 going into the fourth quarter, New York seemed headed to a loss in Week 1.

The setting could not be more appropriate for one of the Jets' most exciting comebacks in team history. After a series of Tony Romo mistakes and an amazing punt block return for touchdown, the Jets led themselves to a 27-24 victory.

Given the circumstances of the night and how well the Jets executed in the final minutes of the game, there is no doubt this is one of the best wins in the history of the New York Jets.

December 29, 2002: New York Jets Defeat Green Bay Packers To Reach Playoffs

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The New York Jets entered the Meadowlands on December 29, 2002 for the final game of the regular season with the offseason in mind. Chad Pennington was probably thinking where to take his next vacation.

Then the unthinkable happened.

News came announcing Miami's defeat at the hands of the New England Patriots, setting up a must-win for the Jets in order to clinch the AFC East and a spot in the playoffs.

The Jets answered the call and routed the Packers 42-17.

October 23,2000: Miracle at the Meadowlands

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On the off day during the 2000 World Series between the New York Yankees and New York Mets, another New York team played in arguably the greatest game in Monday Night Football history.

The New York Jets were about to orchestrate one of their many improbable comeback victories.

Down 30-7 in the fourth quarter, the 5-1 Jets' fans had little hope at home and the Miami Dolphins were going to leave New Jersey on a high horse. Jason Taylor made it known throughout the game that the Dolphins were the better team by taunting fans all game long and pointing toward the scoreboard.

Not so fast.

Vinny Testerverde and Company fought back to tie the game in the final minutes at 30. The Dolphins answered back on the very next play to lead the game by seven. The Jets again marched down the field and Testerverde threw his fourth touchdown pass of the quarter.

The Jets would go on to win in overtime on a field goal from John Hall.

September 21, 1986: Shootout at the Swamp

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Dan Marino and Ken O'Brien threw for a combined 884 yards in what is dubbed "The Shootout at the Swamp." Wesley Walker caught four touchdown passes and Marino threw for six.

Jets fans took, and still do take, pride in the fact that their quarterback was able to not only keep up with, but defeat Dan Marino at his best.

This one ended 51-45 in the Jets' favor in overtime.

January 16, 2011: Jets Beat Patriots To Reach Second Straight AFC Title Game

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No game in the Mark Sanchez era of the New York Jets is more memorable than the defeat of the New England Patriots in the playoffs, and this was after they beat the Colts and Peyton Manning the week before.

Sanchez threw for three touchdowns and Tom Brady was sacked by the Jets defense five times. Regardless of the second straight AFC title game loss in the following week, the Jets cemented themselves as a truly elite team with this victory.

To knock off such fierce division rivals in the playoffs who have dominated for most of recent memory is a memorable moment for any team.

Super Bowl III

The one and only Super Bowl victory in New York Jets history.

The game itself wasn't the most impressive matchup, but the New York Jets defeating the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III is one of the most legendary moments in NFL history.

Joe "Broadway" Namath, in traditional Jets trash talk fashion, guaranteed a victory before suiting up in Miami. No one believed the pretty boy New York QB, and most discredited the AFL as a professional league on par with the NFL.

Not only did Namath deliver on his promise, but the world took notice as the AFL won its first Super Bowl title and drove the merger to new heights with the promise of much better competition.