Midwest Football: Not like old times: Jets beat up Pats, seek control of AFC East

After a smooth takeoff last week, the newNew York Jets appear to be settling into an unfamiliar cruising altitude.

More than 40 years after their only championship season, the Jets staked an early claim to first place in the AFC East with a 2-0 start after Sunday's 16-9 win against the New England Patriots.

The victory came under a new coach, revamped defense and rookie quarterback in his second start. And it came against the division's powerhouse for nearly a decade, a bitter rival that has usually left a bad taste in the Jets' mouth since Bill Belichick left New York for the New England coaching job in 2000.

"We're a football team that should be respected," first-year Jets coach Rex Ryan said.

Ryan's retooled defense proved last week's debut win vs. the Houston Texans was no fluke and has the look of a unit that could keep the Jets - who have won six playoff games since Joe Namath's famous guaranteed win against the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III in 1969 - flying high for some time.

"The past is the past," said linebacker Bart Scott, who followed Ryan to the Jets from the Baltimore Ravens. "It's a new day. It's a new team. It's not the same old Jets people are used to."

New York's defense, which allowed 183 yards and no touchdowns vs. Houston (which was third in offense in 2008 and scored 34 points Sunday), kept New England out of the end zone for the first time since 2006. The last time the New York defense did not permit touchdowns in consecutive weeks was in 1993.

"That's a statement not just to us but to the league that every week we're going to come out and try and get a shutout," said Pro Bowl cornerback Darrelle Revis, who picked off Patriots quarterback Tom Brady in the first half.

In his second start since last year's season-ending knee injury, Brady completed 23 of 47 passes for 216 yards and the interception. It was the second time since December 2006 that he failed to complete at least half his passes. The other time came in 2007 against the Ravens defense then coached by Ryan.

Ryan's defenses never ranked lower than sixth in his four years as coordinator with the Ravens (2005-08). The Jets have had a defense ranked as high as sixth once (1995) since 1982.

"Our defense is just filled with studs," Sanchez said. "I felt for Tom."

The 2007 MVP, who was coming off an uneven performance against the Buffalo Bills in a Monday night win, seemed to struggle with timing and execution on short and long routes. Wideout Randy Moss was limited to four catches and 24 yards largely because of Revis' blanket coverage.

"You could just see the timing disrupted a little bit," Sanchez said. "You could see a pass here or there, an important comeback route ... the ball's not thrown yet, or it's thrown too early."

Brady, who missed several open receivers, was critical of his performance but gave the Jets credit. "It's a very talented team," said Brady, who was without injured wide receiver Wes Welker (knee).

"We're not really firing on all cylinders right now," Brady added. "To not get the ball in the end zone is unacceptable."

New England took four delay-of-game penalties and went 0-for-3 in the red zone (failing to score a TD) for the first time in nearly six years.

"I've got to do a better job," Brady said. "They (delay-of-game penalties) don't come up very often, but when they do, they hurt. And they hurt us today."

Sanchez steps up in second half

Sanchez came out on the winning end of his first matchup with Brady. Limited in the first half (3-for-5, 15 yards), the rookie came out slinging in the third quarter.

With New York trailing 9-3, Jets kick returner Leon Washington set the stage for a comeback with a 43-yard return to open the second half.

Sanchez took over, hooking up with Jerricho Cotchery for a 45-yard gain to the New England 11. Two plays later Sanchez lofted a 9-yard touchdown strike between two defenders to tight end Dustin Keller.

"He has been the leader that we need. That is going to take us a long way," Cotchery said of Sanchez.

Sanchez's final stats line was efficient - 14-for-22 for 163 yards - and devoid of turnovers. Sanchez, who led the Jets to two field goals after his touchdown strike, became the first Jets rookie quarterback to win his first two starts.

"This guy's not a rookie," Washington, who led the Jets with 58 rushing yards, said of Sanchez.

Said offensive tackle Damien Woody: "I'm glad (Sanchez is) on our team. And he's only going to get better."

The Meadowlands' infamous swirling winds weren't a factor, but the Jets did back up a lot of bluster, much of it from Ryan.

"I never came here to kiss Bill Belichick's rings," Ryan said about New England's three-time Super Bowl champion coach in an offseason radio interview. He also questioned the toughness of the Patriots defense and touted his team's newly instilled smash-mouth ethos, all before encouraging season ticketholders last week - via voice mail - to make themselves heard on game day.

Apparently, his message got through. "I think our fans might have been the difference today," said Ryan, who granted his new 12th man a game ball.

Ryan's father, Buddy, was the linebackers coach for the Jets' 1968 title team. He also was the architect of the 1985 Chicago Bears defense that helped win a Super Bowl, and he later built imposing crews as head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles.

"I said we were going to be the No. 1 defense, and I thank everyone here who laughed at me," Rhodes said. "He got it from his father. We know he's going to give us the stuff we need to get after the quarterback."

Fans make their statement

The fans helped, too.

"It's a hostile environment," said former Jets tight end Chris Baker, who signed with the Patriots in February. "I knew it was going to be part of the game."

The Jets also noticed.

"I actually felt the ground vibrating," said defensive end Shaun Ellis, the only player remaining on the Jets roster since they last beat the Patriots at home in 2000.

The Patriots came into the game with Ryan's quotes on their bulletin board as well as those from Rhodes, who said during the week that he hoped to "embarrass" the Patriots. Rhodes downplayed his comments, but like many of his teammates he has embraced the swagger brought by Ryan and Scott.

"They just outplayed us. They outcoached us, Belichick said."

Last year in Baltimore, Ryan watched his swarming defense and rookie quarterback Joe Flacco, who often effectively managed games, advance to the AFC Championship Game. He appears to be putting together a similar formula with the Jets.

"Sometimes we talk a little bit, but only because we have confidence," Ryan said. "We believe we are an outstanding team. We have to go out and show it."

And despite beating the Patriots, more challenges lie ahead. The Titans (NFL-best 13 regular-season wins in 2008) are next, followed by the New Orleans Saints (Drew Brees has a league-best nine TD passes in two weeks) and the Miami Dolphins (reigning AFC East champions).

The Jets know looking ahead to Super Bowl XLIV is premature. "We haven't arrived yet," Sanchez said.

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