Plaxico Burress had the big breakout game he and the New York Jets have been expecting.
The veteran wide receiver tied a career high by catching three TD passes, including the go-ahead score, and the Jets stormed back in the second half to defeat San Diego.
“The fans pay money to come see you do well, and I felt for the past few weeks I was not playing well. This is gratifying,” Burress said.
Leading 21-17, the Chargers (4-2) appeared to be driving for a possible game-sealing score when Philip Rivers’ pass was intercepted by Darrelle Revis, who returned it 64 yards to the Chargers 19.
After a few runs by Shonn Greene and a defensive holding penalty — the Chargers’ 11th penalty in the game — Mark Sanchez found Burress on a slant for a 3-yard touchdown to give the Jets (4-3) the lead for the first time with 8:41 remaining. It was Burress’ second three-TD catch game of his career.
San Diego 7 14 0 0–21
Jets 3 7 7 10–27
FIRST QUARTER
SD — Butler 37 fumble return (Novak kick), 13:11.
NYJ — FG Folk 35, 8:25.
SECOND QUARTER
SD — Gates 2 pass from Rivers (Novak kick), 12:11.
NYJ — Burress 3 pass from Sanchez (Folk kick), 7:18.
SD — Tolbert 1 run (Novak kick), 1:16.
THIRD QUARTER
NYJ — Burress 4 pass from Sanchez (Folk kick), 2:57.
FOURTH QUARTER
NYJ — Burress 3 pass from Sanchez (Folk kick), 8:41.
NYJ — FG Folk 30, 1:36.
SD NYJ
First downs 16 25
Total Net Yards 268 318
Rushes-yards 25-96 31-162
Passing 172 156
Punt Returns 1-0 2-14
Kickoff Returns 6-139 3-79
Interceptions Ret. 1-25 2-74
Comp-Att-Int 16-32-2 18-33-1
Sacked-Yards Lost 1-7 2-17
Punts 4-50.3 3-36.7
Fumbles-Lost 0-0 1-1
Penalties-Yards 13-95 8-60
Time of Possession 27:14 32:46
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
San Diego rushing — Tolbert 11-58, Mathews 13-39, Rivers 1-(minus 1).
Jets rushing — Greene 20-112, Sanchez 3-25, Tomlinson 5-14, McKnight 3-11.
San Diego passing — Rivers 16-32-2-179.
Jets passing — Sanchez 18-33-1-173.
San Diego receiving — Gates 5-54, Mathews 4-26, McMichael 3-45, Floyd 2-36, Jackson 1-15, Crayton 1-3.
Jets receiving — Keller 4-53, Kerley 4-29, Burress 4-25, Tomlinson 3-37, Holmes 2-24, Greene 1-5.
Missed field goals — None.
A — 79,088.
