Sanchez, Jets Impressive in First Playoff Win Since 2004

Mark Sanchez’s smile and childlike demeanor running off the field after the game said it all. The Jets beat the Bengals 24-14 in the first round of the playoffs and the Jets rookie quarterback was impressive. Sanchez became the fourth rookie quarterback to win his first playoff start. 

Sanchez outplayed his fellow USC alumnus, Carson Palmer, and set a rookie record for completion percentage in a playoff game. Sanchez connected on 80% of his passes (12-15) for 182 yards and a touchdown.  

Another rookie, running back Shonn Greene, played a major role in the win. Greene ran for 135 yards on 21 carries and broke away for a 39-yard touchdown on a well drawn up play by Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer. Sanchez faked the run to the fullback up the middle and pitched it to the left to Greene which was wide open.

What I like about the Jets this season is that they aren’t giving up on their running game so easy. Instead of abandoning the run because of short or no gains, they are sticking with it and either Thomas Jones or Shonn Greene is given the chance to pop one for a big gain or a touchdown. They wear down their opponent’s defense and in the second half those one or two yard gains turn into five or six yard gains and sometimes bigger.

In the Jets first playoff win since 2004, tight end Dustin Keller emerged as a playmaker. Keller caught three balls for 99 yards including a 45-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter. It was his best game of the season.

The Jets defense had another big game and why expect anything less? The NFL’s number one ranked defense forced two turnovers and their stud cornerback, Darrelle Revis, shut down Ochocinco for the second straight week and also had an interception. The Jets forced a Laverneus Coles fumble in the Bengals’ first drive of the game after the Bengals returned the kickoff into Jets territory. 

If there was one negative from this game for the Jets it was their run defense. Bengals running back Cedric Benson ran for 169 on 21 carries including a 47-yard touchdown run. He averaged 8 yards per carry. Another thing the Jets need to take a look at is their kick coverage on special teams. Although they got better since the opening kickoff, they can’t allow opponents to start drives with good field position. The initial kickoff return allowed the Bengals to take control of field position in the first few drives until they put the first points of the game on the board. The Jets took control of field position after that. 

Rex Ryan calls his Jets a “tough out”. When you can run the ball as good as they do and play as good of defense as they do, they are going to be a hard team to beat. As long as they don’t turn over the ball and get some yards in the passing game to keep the defense honest, the Jets will be a headache for any playoff team. They have really put it all together the last several weeks after having a dreadful middle of the season. 

The outcome of today’s game between the Patriots and Ravens will determine whether the Jets go to San Diego or Indianapolis next week.