Saints Smother Sanchez

It took four weeks, but somebody finally zapped the energy and exposed the indolent inertia of the New York Jets. The sluggish Jets were outmatched and outclassed, but should not be completely disappointed with their Sunday setback against the New Orleans Saints. New York was winning with uninterrupted, improbable frequency until they came across the stifling Saints. The 24-10 trouncing featured the only game between unbeaten teams in the NFL. The Jets’ defense did their part in holding Drew Brees and the high-octane Saints’ offense to 190 passing yards and no touchdowns. They kept the league’s best offense from scoring more than 10 points. New York also exhibited exceptional downfield coverage and stopped the Saints twice on fourth down attempts.
The first offensive touchdown scored by New Orleans occurred with just over six minutes left in the game. Pierre Thomas squirted into the endzone from one yard out to give the Saints added insurance and a 14 point lead. The Jets were within a touchdown after a third quarter 15 yard rush by Thomas Jones. The 31 year old Virginia running back carried the ball 13 times for 48 yards and a touchdown against a relentless New Orleans defense. The Saints showed they are not just a one-dimensional force. The persistent punchers from the Bayou caused fits all day for the visiting quarterback, Mark Sanchez. The rookie was picked off three times and went without a touchdown pass in his first look at the Saints. The less-heralded defense provided the Saints an early advantage. Veteran safety and active leader in career interceptions, Darren Sharper, made it a 10-0 contest when he intercepted Sanchez in the second quarter. Sharper returned his 59th career interception 99 yards for a touchdown. The USC quarterback permitted the Saints to score 14 points off his blunders. Will Smith forced a fumble and sacked the Jets’ signalcaller twice. Aydoele, a nose tackle of all people, forced a fumble, and Charles grant had five tackles and a pair of sacks. Ayodele’s fumble recovery for a touchdown came within minutes of Sharper’s terrific trip to the end of the turf.
Sanchez is the Jets’ franchise quarterback. So far, he’s lived up to, if not exceeded, expectations. Sunday in New Orleans, number six completed 14 of his 27 passes. He tossed for 138 yards, including the ill-advised throws resulting in interceptions. Mark’s ball security is severely lacking, and New York needs to address the problem before his mistakes cost the Jets more games. He may not yet be road tested, and granted facing the unbeaten Saints, he had to be pretty perfect. Sanchez was much less than textbook quarterback against the NFC South’s top team. But the former Trojan has still proved he can play with the big boys in the NFL. Sanchez can take the blame for helping the Jets lose this game. He can’t take all the heat though. The Saints’ brilliant defense deserves most of the credit for the Sunday snubbing. When Drew Brees isn’t the main star of a Saints’ game, you know the team played well. New Orleans wasn’t great on short yardage situations. Rex Ryan didn’t employ or utilize a heavy blitz as I expected. Whatever they did seemed to work in most defending situations. It makes you wonder what the outcome would have been if Sanchez found his own receivers instead of the men wearing gold, black and white. The Saints are coming up on a tender part of their schedule. Look for them to keep winning.

Parting Points: The Giants play the Saints in two weeks. Will Eli’s leg be up for the game?