With Jets in playoffs, Sanchez may get a week off

The New York Jets are in.

Which means quarterback Mark Sanchez might be out.

Despite losing to the Bears 38-34 at Soldier Field on Sunday, the Jets clinched a second-straight playoff berth by virtue of Jacksonville's overtime loss to Washington.

Despite an aching right throwing shoulder that had him on the injury report during the week, Sanchez played the entire game against the Bears.

“We'll really look at Mark Sanchez and possibly not play him this week,” said coach Rex Ryan — whose Jets host Buffalo on Sunday — following the Bears game, after learning of his team's playoff berth.

Sanchez didn't sound excited about the prospects of him sitting out the Jets' regular-season finale.

“This isn't my 18th year or anything so I need as many reps as possible,” said Sanchez, the fifth overall pick in the 2009 draft. “With the situation we're in now with my shoulder, we want to see how it reacts to the game. We'll take it day to day, but I'm with coach. Whatever he thinks is going to be best for me and the team, we'll handle it that way.”

Sanchez completed 24 of 37 passes for 269 yards and 1 touchdown pass (a 23-yarder to Santonio Holmes) and an 84.2 passer-efficiency rating. His final throw was intercepted by Bears safety Chris Harris at the Chicago 41 with just less than a minute left.

“It's frustrating because we had chances,” Sanchez said. “I thought our guys played well. I was proud of our effort. (The Bears) made a few more plays than we did.

“At the end of the game, I can't do that. I at least got to get us to fourth down, at least give us a chance, chip away at it.”

Sanchez said there is no swelling and ligament damage to his shoulder.

“It's just hurting,” he said.

When the Jets defense was on the field, he tossed the ball to help his shoulder on a day that featured occasional snow flurries and temperatures in the low 30s.

“Just trying to keep it warm was the most important thing,” Sanchez said. “I did an OK job of doing that.”

“I think he came through pretty good, but this could be one of those times where we just rest him,” Ryan said. “I thought he played well.”