Jets Win Their First NFL Preseason Game By Beating Giants
Tuesday, July 27th, 2010A week after being named the New York Jets starting quarterback, Mark Sanchez rewarded his first year NFL coach with a victory. Rex Ryan got his first win at the helm of the Jets as his team held off a 4th quarter comeback to nip the crosstown rival New York Giants 27-25.
NFL preseason betting enthusiasts who took the Giants as +3 point underdogs were rewarded with the outright victory. The Jets improved to 2-1 against the pointspread, while the Giants dropped to 1-2 against the money as they dropped their second straight ATS verdict. The combined 52 points went well OVER the posted total of 36.
Sanchez finished with 149 yards on 13 of 20 passing and a touchdown pass to former University of South Carolina standout Chansi Stuckey. After the game, he said things were different now that he was the starting QB:
“You get a little more confidence when you know your coach believes in you and has named you the starter. It was similar to that at SC. Once you’re the guy, you talk a little different, you walk a little different and you act a little different.”
Giants defender Mathias Kiwanuka thought he had a sack but Sanchez evaded him and another lineman to make the play. He had to be impressed with Sanchezs touchdown effort:
“I thought we had him. It was a great play. You have to give him credit for seeing down the field with two guys in his face.”
Sanchez gave his account:
“It was one of those plays where you get hit throwing it and you don’t really see what’s going on. You kind of listen. I knew if it was a big roar, it was probably a big play by the Giants, maybe an interception and I’d have to get up quick. But I heard a quiet roar and I said: ‘Oh boy, I think he caught it.’”
Winning coach Ryan commended his young QBs effort:
“He was poised. He is what we thought he was.”
Giants QB Eli Manning had something of an off game, finishing a touchdown and interception. He had receiver Steve Smith drop a perfect wide open pass that would have been a 50 yard touchdown play. Afterwards, he had no hard feelings:
“Sometimes it’s good to get those out of the way now. I know Steve feels bad about that. He hasn’t done that all training camp. I know he won’t drop it next time.”
The Giants finish up the NFL preseason slate with a trip to Foxboro, Massachusetts to take on the New England Patriots on Thursday night. The Jets wrap up their exhibition schedule by hosting the Philadelphia Eagles.
Ross Everett is a well known freelance writer specializing in travel, poker and sports handicapping. He is a staff handicapper for Anatta Sports where he is responsible for providing daily free sports picks. In his spare time he enjoys fine dining, fencing and scuba diving. He lives in Las Vegas with four dogs and a pet coyote.