New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan continues to believe Mark Sanchez gives his team the best chance to win.
That’s why Ryan is sticking by Sanchez as the Jets starting quarterback.
“Mark will be the starting quarterback this week and we’ll go from there,” Ryan said.
Sanchez completed 26 of 36 passes for 301 yards, a touchdown and an interception in the Jets blowout 49-19 loss at the hands of the New England Patriots Thursday night. But two costly mistakes by Sanchez in the first half helped the Patriots take control.
With the Jets down to the Patriots’ 23-yard line with the game still scoreless in the first quarter, Sanchez was intercepted by Steve Gregory when the Patriots disguised a coverage at the snap that forced Sanchez to lose sight of Gregory off a play-action fake. Sanchez threw it right to Gregory trying to hit Bilal Powell across the middle of the field to end a promising Jets drive.
Sanchez was also responsible for the botched play that resulted in a fumble and return for touchdown by Gregory in the second quarter. Ryan said Sanchez pivoted the wrong on what was supposed to be a handoff. Sanchez then compounded the mistake by slipping into the back of one of his linemen and putting the ball on the turf. It was part of a blunder-barrage by the Jets in the second quarter that enabled the Patriots to score 35 points in the second quarter.
“It’s hardly on one guy,” Ryan said. "[Sanchez] had a 94 quarterback rating. I thought Mark threw the ball well.”
With the revelation after the game that Tim Tebow has two broken ribs, it gives Ryan another reason to not make a switch under center. Ryan is convinced that Sanchez gives them the best chance to win. It’s why he’s stuck with Sanchez all season despite a season sliding away from them.
“You can’t blame it on just one individual and I think Mark does give us the best chance to win right now and that’s what we’ll do,” Ryan said.
The fact that Ryan could actually be correct shows just how dire things have become for the Jets. New York is now 4-7 with their playoff hopes are all but officially gone.