New York Jets: 10 Greatest Plays in the Mark Sanchez Era

Ever since the 1969 Super Bowl, the New York Jets have not been a very memorable franchise. 

That is, until Mark Sanchez arrived.

Sanchez has led the Jets to two straight AFC Championship games, and has provided fans with some of the greatest moments in franchise history.

Here are the 10 greatest plays since the USC product became a member of Gang Green in 2009. 

Joe McKnight Blocks Punt for Touchdown vs. Cowboys

Joe McKnight was an insignificant name last season, but he has developed into a valuable asset for the Jets in 2011.

The USC product is a valued returner who can make big plays, but his biggest came in Week 1.

New York trailed 24-17 with just five minutes left to go, looking destined to start the season with a tough home loss.

However, McKnight burst through the Cowboy blockers and blocked a punt. The ball was then picked up by recent signee Isiah Trufant, who returned it for a touchdown.

The huge play tied the game at 24 and helped New York begin its season on a superb note. If not for that block, Gang Green could be out of the running for a playoff spot. 

Santonio Holmes' Big Play in OT vs. Lions

The Jets played another classic game in the 2010-11 season against the Detroit Lions.

New York was playing subpar football for the majority of the game, but a late comeback sent the game to overtime.

In the middle of the extra quarter, Mark Sanchez found Santonio Holmes on a crossing route at midfield. Holmes broke through the secondary, setting up Gang Green in terrific field-goal range.

The play led to a game-winning Nick Folk field goal on the very next snap. 

Santonio Holmes' Touchdown in OT vs. Browns

The Jets' terrific 2010-11 season contained numerous highlights, but perhaps the best regular-season moment was in Cleveland in the middle of the season.

New York was sloppy all game long, allowing the dismal Browns to stay in the match.

With just seconds left in overtime, the game looked like it was heading to a tie.

However, Mark Sanchez found Santonio Holmes on a crossing route, and the Super Bowl MVP pulled some amazing moves on his way to the end zone.

The score locked up the win for Gang Green and proved that Holmes was one of the most clutch wide receivers in the league. 

Mark Sanchez Finds Paydirt in Pittsburgh

The Jets headed to Pittsburgh for a huge matchup with the Steelers in Week 15 of the 2010 season.

New York was struggling at the time, and a loss would have crippled their playoff chances.

Rex Ryan and company came through, thanks to a terrific defensive and special teams effort and this amazing play late in the third quarter.

On a 4th-and-1 just inside Pittsburgh's 10, Sanchez used a terrific play fake to fool the Steelers' imposing defense before running it in to tie the game at 17.

The play ended up being the difference in a close battle, as New York snatched a big win to keep their playoff hopes alive. 

Plaxico Burress Saves Jets' Season with Amazing Catch

Just last week, Plaxico Burress made one of the greatest catches in Jets history.

The controversial wide receiver kept New York's season alive with a beautiful one-handed catch on 3rd-and-11 in the final few minutes.

If Burress had missed that catch, then the Jets would have likely fallen to the Bills and would be completely out of the playoff picture. 

Mark Sanchez Leads Jets Back from the Dead vs. Texans

New York had a huge lead in a Week 11 regular-season game in 2010 before surrendering more than a dozen unanswered points.

The late defensive collapse gave the Texans the lead with just minutes to go.

However, Mark Sanchez and the offense led a furious game-winning drive in the final minute to hand the Jets their eighth win of the season.

The miraculous drive was highlighted by two amazing catches by Braylon Edwards and Santonio Holmes. 

Nick Folk Hits Clutch Kick to Beat the Colts

New York were heavy underdogs against a superb Indianapolis Colts team in the 2011 AFC Wild Card game last January.

However, New York's stingy defense shut down the Colts' dynamic offense, and the Jets hung with Indianapolis the entire game.

A late field goal by Adam Vinatieri seemed to end the Jets' season, but a terrific kick return by Antonio Cromartie—followed by several clutch passes from Mark Sanchez—gave the Jets a field goal to keep their season alive.

Jets kicker Nick Folk came through in the clutch, as he delivered a 32-yard field goal in the final seconds to give Gang Green the 17-16 win and a spot in the divisional round. 

Shonn Greene Sends Jets to AFC Championship (2009)

New York shocked everyone when they made an appearance in the divisional round during Mark Sanchez's rookie year.

They stunned people even more when they beat the Chargers, winner of ten straight going into the game, in San Diego.

Rookie running back Shonn Greene's huge, late touchdown run secured the win for the Jets and sent them to Indianapolis for the AFC Championship game. 

Santonio Holmes' Amazing Catch in Foxborough

The Jets headed to New England for the 2011 divisional round as massive underdogs; the last time the two rivals had played, it resulted in a 45-3 mauling by the Patriots.

New York used its underdog label to pull off arguably the biggest upset of the 2011 season, as they defeated New England 28-21, thanks to some huge plays from their talented weapons.

Santonio Holmes dialed up "Tone Time" to make this amazing catch in the corner of the end zone. It gave the Jets a 21-11 lead in the forth quarter and helped pull of a major upset in Foxborough. 

Shonn Greene Wraps Up Playoff Win vs. Patriots

Santonio Holmes' catch may have put the Jets in great position to claim a huge upset over the Patriots, but Shonn Greene's 16-yard touchdown run sealed the deal.

The tough run gave New York a 28-14 lead with less than two minutes to go, sending Gang Green to the AFC Championship for the second straight season.

In three years, Mark Sanchez has made amazing plays in clutch situations that have led the Jets to many huge wins.

The USC alumni may not be the greatest quarterback in the world, but he has given New York supporters a lot to cheer about. 

Let's hope that Sanchez and the Jets can continue their terrific performances and once again thrill and enthrall fans in the next few weeks and beyond.