Sanchez surprises as Jets handle Bengals
CINCINNATI - With their rookie quarterback playing mistake-free, the New York Jets turned their surprising playoff appearance into a long-running production.
Mark Sanchez handled single-degree wind chills and the playoff pressure with no problems Saturday, throwing a touchdown pass on a rollout play, and the NFL's top running game took it from there, setting up a 24-14 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.
Sanchez went 12 of 15 for 182 yards, becoming the fourth rookie quarterback since 1950 to start and win a playoff game. Considered the Jets' weakest link heading into the playoffs, he became their focal point.
"He just kept getting better as the season went along," coach Rex Ryan said. "I told him this was his second season now. His first season is over. This is the playoffs."
Third-round pick Shonn Greene ran for 135 yards, including a 39-yard touchdown, as the Jets' rookies made the pivotal plays under the biggest pressure.
The Jets (10-7) got their first playoff victory since 2004 and pulled off a rare back-to-back sweep of the Bengals (10-7), who got a team playoff-record 169 yards from Cedric Benson but little else. Cincinnati's streak without a playoff win reached 19 years and counting.
The Jets?
"They might have a chance to make a move," Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer said. "Their defense is that good."
Cincinnati went to the Meadowlands six days earlier and got turned into road kill. The Jets ran for 257 yards, and the Bengals managed a total of 72 yards, with Chad Ochocinco getting shut out.
Little changed the second time around.
"This was a great team effort," said Ryan, who won in his playoff debut as a head coach. "We're a good football team. If people don't believe that, they soon will."
No one should count the Jets out now, not the way their coach did two weeks ago. Ryan thought the Jets were out of contention following a 10-7 loss to the Falcons that was set up by Sanchez's 3 interceptions. Then, everything lined up in their favor.
The Colts pulled their starters a week later, allowing the Jets to rally for a win, while four other playoff contenders lost. Then, the AFC North champs showed up at the Meadowlands last week and lost 37-0 with little at stake.
Ryan's father, Buddy, was the defensive line coach for the '69 Jets, who won the Super Bowl title that Broadway Joe Namath had guaranteed. These Jets came into the playoffs as an off-Broadway show, lacking a star quarterback who could deliver a win.
Until Saturday.
Sanchez looked like a playoff pro, joining Shaun King, Joe Flacco and Ben Roethlisberger as rookie quarterbacks to win postseason starts. His passer rating was a stratospheric 139.4.
At times, Sanchez found himself on the sideline soaking it all in.
"It just blows your mind," he said. "It's unbelievable. I hope I have this feeling next week."