The Jets won without Mark Sanchez in convincing fashion Sunday, defeating the Buccaneers 26-3.
That doesn’t mean there’s a quarterback controversy. Sanchez will replace Kellen Clemens when healthy, and Jets players believe Sanchez will return this week, according to the New York Daily News.
Rex Ryan was more secretive about Sanchez’s status, saying he expected Sanchez to be ready. And then saying he’s not so sure.
Clemens struggled against a poor secondary, throwing for only 111 yards on 23 attempts for a 4.8 yards per attempt average. (Brad Smith had the longest completion of the day.) Still, Clemens did his job by handing off plenty and staying out of the way of the Jets defense.
Tampa’s offense is brutal, but Ryan’s defensive crew was still impressive Sunday. Midway through the third quarter, the Bucs had 19 total yards. (They finished with 124.)
The Jets will be favored again next week against a depleted Falcons team, whether Sanchez is back or not.
A Jets season left for dead three weeks ago is very much alive at 7-6.