The Jets get to put the final bow on Giants Stadium tonight when they face the Bengals. While the Stadium primarily will be remembered as the home of the Giants, Gang Green has its share of memories there. The Jets are 105-105-1 in their 26 seasons in East Rutherford. Here’s a look at some of the games and players no one will forget:
5 BEST GAMES
1. Jan. 4, 2003 — Jets 41, Colts 0
The Jets won three playoff games in Giants Stadium, none more memorable than this one. The defense shut down Peyton Manning and the Colts while LaMont Jordan ran for 102 yards and two touchdowns.
2. Sept. 21, 1986 — Jets 51, Dolphins 45 (OT)
This shootout in the swamp generated the most net passing yards in NFL history. Ken O’Brien and Dan Marino combined for 884 yards. Wesley Walker’s four touchdown catches are a Jets record, and Marino’s six touchdowns were his career high. O’Brien hit Walker to tie the game as time expired, then found Walker again for the 43-yard winning score.
3. Oct. 23, 2000 — Jets 40, Dolphins 37 (OT)
The Jets trailed 30-7 to start the fourth quarter but pulled out the “Monday Night Miracle.” Vinny Testaverde had four touchdown passes in the fourth quarter, including one to tackle Jumbo Elliott. John Hall’s 40-yard field goal won it in OT.
4. Dec. 29, 2002 — Jets 42, Packers 17
The stadium rocked this day as the Jets clinched the AFC East. The Jets needed the Patriots to rally and beat the Dolphins, which they did shortly after the Jets kicked off. When the news spread through the Stadium, the crowd erupted. Chad Pennington did the rest, throwing four touchdowns and sending the Jets to the playoffs.
5. Jan. 10, 1999 — Jets 34, Jaguars 24
This divisional playoff victory sent the Jets to the AFC Championship Game. Curtis Martin had 135 yards rushing and two touchdowns. Keyshawn Johnson had nine catches for 121 yards, scored on a run and a reception, and even intercepted a Jags’ Hail Mary pass at the end.
5 WORST GAMES
1. Nov. 27, 1994 — Dolphins 28, Jets 24
Dan Marino’s fake spike drove a dagger through Pete Carroll’s Jets.
2. Sept. 12, 1999 — Patriots 30, Jets 28
Super Bowl hopes ended in the second quarter of the season when Vinny Testaverde ruptured his Achilles’ tendon.
3. Dec. 28, 2008 — Dolphins 24, Jets 17
Chad Pennington returned to knock the Jets from playoff contention and end the Eric Mangini era.
4. Oct. 17, 1988 — Bills 37, Jets 14
The “Pumpkin Game” featured 41 incidents of improper behavior in the stands, 15 arrests and 56 ejections. Fans burned complimentary paper hats in the stands and batted around an inflated pumpkin. This game led to the stadium halting beer sales after halftime during night games.
5. Dec. 17, 2000 — Lions 10, Jets 7
In the middle of another late-season collapse, the Jets fell to the lowly Lions as James Stewart ran for 164 yards and lineman Jeff Hartings recovered a fumble in the end zone for their lone touchdown.
5 UNFORGETTABLE MOMENTS
1. Nov. 29, 1992 — Dennis Byrd’s injury
Defensive lineman Dennis Byrd collided with teammate Scott Mersereau as they pursued Chiefs quarterback Dave Krieg. Byrd broke his neck and lied motionless on the turf. Equally as unforgettable was his return nine months later when he walked onto the field before the Jets’ home opener.
2. Dec. 20, 1987 — “Joe Must Go”
The chant began during a 38-27 loss to the Eagles and would continue for another two years until the Jets finally fired coach Joe Walton.
3. Sept. 9, 2007 — Spygate
Tom Brady and the Patriots picked the Jets apart in the season opener, but the real intrigue begins a day later when it comes to light Bill Belichick had been taping the Jets’ sideline signals, setting off a season-long controversy.
4. Dec. 20, 2003 — Namath’s wish
Joe Namath told ESPN’s Suzy Kolber that he’d like to kiss her during a sideline interview on a night former Jets greats were honored. Namath later apologized and entered an alcohol abuse treatment program.
5. Dec. 6, 1998 — Vinny’s phantom TD
Vinny Testaverde tried a quarterback sneak on fourth down from the 5 in the final minute against the Seahawks and head linesman Earnie Frantz ruled he scored, giving the Jets a 32-31 victory. Replays showed the ball did not cross the goal line. The call helped lead to the institution of instant replay.
ALL-JETS TEAM (GIANTS STADIUM ERA — 1984-2009)
QB: Ken O’Brien
Two-time Pro Bowler threw for more than 300 yards eight times at Giants Stadium.
RB: Curtis Martin, Freeman McNeil
Leading rushers in franchise history.
WR: Wayne Chrebet, Al Toon
Two of the most beloved players to wear a Jets uniform.
TE: Mickey Shuler
Only four Jets have more catches.
T: Jeff Criswell, Jason Fabini
These two have 218 starts with the Jets between them.
Gs: Dan Alexander, Brandon Moore
One past, one present stalwart of the offensive line.
C: Kevin Mawae
Six Pro Bowls as a Jet, still going strong in Tennessee.
K: Pat Leahy
No one has played more games as a Jet.
DE: Mark Gastineau, Shaun Ellis
These two have a combined 142 sacks.
NT: Joe Klecko
Could play multiple positions, we’ll put him in the middle.
OLB: Mo Lewis, John Abraham
Abraham not technically a linebacker, but he’s our pass-rush specialist.
ILB: Kyle Clifton, Marvin Jones
Clifton’s 204 games played is third in team history.
CB: Aaron Glenn, Darrelle Revis
Try throwing on these two.
S: Victor Green, Erik McMillan
Kerry Rhodes is close, but McMillan gets the edge with two Pro Bowls.
P: Tom Tupa
All-Pro in 1999 when he also was the emergency quarterback.
KR: Leon Washington
Four kickoff returns for a touchdown already a franchise record.