NFL: New York Jets 28, New England 21

FOXBOROUGH, Mass., Jan. 16 (UPI) -- Mark Sanchez passed for three touchdowns Sunday and the New York Jets advanced to the AFC Championship Game with a 28-21 victory over New England.

Sanchez found LaDainian Tomlinson and Braylon Edwards with second-period scoring strikes, putting New York ahead for good. The Jets hung on to avenge last month's 45-3 loss to the Patriots by eliminating the AFC's top seed from the post-season.

The Jets advanced to play the Pittsburgh Steelers next week for the right to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl.

Sanchez also connected with Santonio Holmes on a 7-yard TD pass early in the fourth quarter to put the Jets up 21-11. He went 16-of-25 through the air for 194 yards and no interceptions.

Jerricho Cotchery made five grabs for 96 yards and Shonn Greene carried the ball 17 times for 76 yards and a score for New York.

Tom Brady completed 29-of-45 passes for 299 yards and two scores for New England, which had an eight-game winning streak snapped. He was intercepted once.