Top 5 individual performances of all-time

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Dec 14, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; New York Jets logo prior to the game against the Tennessee Titans at LP Field. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Jets have always made some incredible memories throughout the years as these are the top five most unique individual performances of all-time.

Before we begin, this might seem like an unusual category, so let me explain what this top five list is about when it comes to the pretty unique individual performances of all-time for the New York Jets.

These are the top five most unique or unusual individual single game performances in Jets history. As usual, all of my lists are since the merger, as it’s the only fair way to gauge performances because of competition, games played and the playoff system being equal to each conference.

So what would qualify for unique and does it need to be over the entire game? No. Some of these accomplishments happened at one point in the game, and others were a result of totals built up over the entire game. That’s the best way to introduce this list to Jets Nation.

Another way of looking at it is these are five individual performances that didn’t get much hype, but were very impressive feats. Without further ado, enjoy!

Next: 5. See Johnny run... but not score!

Jan 3, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; A general view of a New York Jets helmet and an NFL football during the game between the Buffalo Bills and the New York Jets at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

5. See Johnny run… but not score! – September 25, 1994

On a Sunday Night Football telecast between the Jets and Chicago Bears in Week 4, running back Johnny Johnson made NFL history.

Taking the handoff from quarterback Jack Trudeau at the Jets three-yard line, Johnson burst through a hole in the offensive line and looked on his way for a team-record 97-yd TD run. However, Johnson ran out of steam inside the Bears 20, and was caught from behind by cornerback Jeremy Lincoln at the Bears seven-yard line.

Johnson’s 90-yd run was the longest in team history as well as being the longest in NFL history without scoring a touchdown. When all was said and done, the Jets were stopped on fourth down and didn’t even turn Johnson’s historic run into points.

Next: 4. Coleman helps defeat the Dolphins

4. Marcus Coleman helps defeat the Dolphins – October 23, 2000

In Week 8 of the 2000 season, the Jets and Dolphins faced off on Monday Night Football at the Meadowlands. Trailing 30-7 in the fourth quarter, the Jets made an historic comeback, rallying to score 30 points in the quarter, highlighted by Vinny Testaverde‘s four touchdown passes.

In overtime, the Dolphins first possession saw them facing a 3rd and 5 when quarterback Jay Fiedler was intercepted by Marcus Coleman. However, Coleman coughed up the ball trying to gain yards on his return and Dolphins’ wide receiver Oronde Gadsden recovered it, giving them another chance (also remember that this was when any score on a team’s first possession in overtime won the game).

Looking to make the most of their second chance, Fiedler drove the Dolphins into Jets territory, setting up a 1st and 10 at the Jets 43-yard line. Needing another 10 or so yards to get into field goal range for Kicker Olindo Mare. Fiedler took to the air when he was intercepted again by Coleman, who this time held on to the ball.

Facing a 3rd and 3 from their own 41-yard line, Testaverde connected with wide receiver Wayne Chrebet for 28 yards, and when John Hall buried a 40-yd field goal four plays later, the Jets had an improbable 40-37 win.

Lost in the hysteria was Coleman’s efforts, as he became only the second player in NFL history to record two interceptions in overtime, joining cornerback Frank Minnifield of the Cleveland Browns who accomplished the feat on November 30, 1986.

Next: 3. Chad Morton makes NFL history

Jan 3, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; A general view of a New York Jets helmet and an NFL football during the game between the Buffalo Bills and the New York Jets at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

3. Chad Morton makes NFL history – September 8, 2002

In the season opening game of the 2002 season, the Jets traveled to Buffalo to take on the Bills. After Travis Henry scored from five yards out to give the Bills a 10-0 lead, kickoff returner Chad Morton returned a Mike Hollis kickoff 98 yards to cut Buffalo’s lead to 10-7.

The two teams battled back and forth exchanging leads when the Jets took a 31-24 lead on a 18-yard touchdown pass from Testaverde to Chrebet with just under five minutes left.

Quarterback Drew Bledsoe, in his first game with Buffalo, then drove the Bills to the Jets 29, where he faced a 4th and 9 with :36 remaining. However, the defense of the Jets were unable to put the game away, as Bledsoe connected with wide receiver Eric Moulds for a 29-yard touchdown to tie the game.

The Jets won the coin toss and chose to receive, setting up Morton for his second touchdown return of the game to give the Jets a 37-31 win. Morton is the only player in NFL history to return a kick for a touchdown in regulation and OT.

Next: 2. Namath makes the most of his completions

Feb 6, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; NFL former player Joe Namath on the red carpet prior to the NFL Honors award ceremony at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

2. Namath makes the most of his completions – September 24, 1972

In Week 2 of the 1972 season, quarterbacks Joe Namath and Johnny Unitas put on a passing clinic as the two Pro Football Hall of Famers combined to pass for 872 yards and eight touchdowns.

Namath was particularly impressive, as he passed for 496 yards and six touchdowns while completing just 15 passes.

Four of Namath’s touchdown passes were 65 yards or longer, as he hit wide receiver Eddie Bell with a 65-yard touchdown in the first quarter, fullback John Riggins with a 67-yard touchdown in the second quarter, and connected with tight end Rich Caster for 79 and 80 yards in the fourth quarter.

The Jets 44-34 win over the Baltimore Colts was the final time that Namath and Unitas faced each other.

Next: 1. Keyshawn Johnson is a four-tool player

1. Keyshawn Johnson is a four-tool player – January 10, 1999

For the first time in franchise history, the Jets won the AFC East in 1998 and finished with a franchise record 12 wins. That was good enough to net them a first round bye and a home game in the AFC Divisional Round against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The game turned out to be a personal showcase for the Jets No. 1 overall selection in the 1996 NFL Draft, wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson.

On the Jets first drive of the game, Testaverde hit Johnson with a 21-yard touchdown pass to give the Jets a 7-0 lead. Late in the first half with the Jets leading 10-0 and driving deep in Jaguars territory, running back Curtis Martin coughed the football up and Jaguars’ safety Chris Hudson recovered it and ran 47 yards before trying to lateral the ball to teammate cornerback Dave Thomas. Thomas wasn’t expecting it, and the loose ball was recovered by a hustling Johnson, who was sprinting down the field trying to make a tackle.

The Jets then picked up where they left off, continuing to drive the ball with ease against Jacksonville’s defense, and when Johnson scored on a reverse from 10 yards out, the Jets had a 17-0 lead.

After the Jets took a 34-24 lead in final minutes on a field goal by kicker John Hall, the Jets inserted Johnson into the defensive secondary to help thwart any desperation heaves that Jaguars’ quarterback Mark Brunell attempted. Sure enough on Brunell’s final throw of the game, Johnson came away with his first ever interception to secure the Jets’ first postseason win since 1986.

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All in all, Johnson finished with nine receptions for 121 yards and one touchdown, two rushes for 28 yards and a touchdown, a fumble recovery and an interception in one of the greatest individual performances in NFL postseason history. Johnson joined Jack Manders of the 1937 Chicago Bears as they only other player to catch a touchdown, run for a touchdown, recover a fumble and intercept a pass in an NFL Playoff game.

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