Mark Sanchez #6 of the New York Jets throws a pass against the New England Patriots at Giants Stadium on September 20, 2009 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Nick Laham/Getty Images)
After some back-and-forth trash talk throughout last week, the Jets backed up their talk with their play on the field Sunday afternoon at an unusually loud Giants Stadium. Rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez led the charge in the second half after the Jets were down 9-3 during halftime.
Sanchez threw for 163 yards and a touchdown to tight end Dustin Keller in the third-quarter and the Jets held on and beat their nemesis 16-9. Patriots quarterback Tom Brady had a chance at a comeback late in the fourth quarter but the Jets’ stout defense forced an incompletion on fourth-down.
Brady wasn’t at his best as the Jets’ swarming defense kept the Patriots’ powerful passing attack on its heels. Tom Brady was 0-3 in three red zone attempts and all nine points came via field goals by kicker Stephen Gostkowski. The Jets recorded no sacks, but Brady was repeatedly hurried in the second half.
Julian Edelman #11 of the New England Patriots is tackled by Drew Coleman #30 of the New York Jets at Giants Stadium on September 20, 2009 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Nick Laham/Getty Images)
The Patriots were quick to heap praise upon the Jets.
"Give the Jets credit... they outplayed us, outcoached us, played better than we did for 60 minutes," New England coach Bill Belichick said in his post-game press conference. "That's the story of the game. We had our chances, but we didn't finish them."
First round pick and former USC Trojan Mark Sanchez is now 2-0 in his rookie season.
