Jets keep their word, beat Patriots
Jets keep their word, beat Patriots
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Rex Ryan sent a message to the fans. His New York Jets delivered one of their own.
Rookie Mark Sanchez outplayed a Super Bowl champion quarterback and the Jets backed up their big talk yesterday, shutting down Tom Brady and the New England Patriots, 16-9.
Associated Press
Jets' Dustin Keller (81) burns Pats' Jonathan Wilhite for TD catch.
"We believe that we are the better team today," Ryan said. "We went out and showed it. I think our fans are huge in this victory."
So huge, in fact, that Ryan said he was giving the fans a gameball that would be placed in the team's trophy case.
"I thought they were the difference," Ryan said.
The victory was the first for the Jets (2-0) over Brady at home, and the first over the Patriots (1-1) at the Meadowlands since 2000. And, it came after a week during which Ryan reiterated his offseason comments that he didn't come to "kiss Bill Belichick's rings" and sent a voicemail to season ticketholders, urging them to be loud.
The fans clearly answered the call, causing a tough time for the Patriots' offense all game. Brady was forced into consecutive delay of game penalties in the third quarter.
"I've got to do a better job," said Brady (23-for-47, 216 yards). "They don't come up very often, but when they do, they hurt. And they hurt us today."
Ryan also said the Patriots had the better coach and quarterback coming in.
Don't sell yourself short, Rex.
"The big deal is, we're a football team that should be respected," Ryan said. "Sometimes we talk a little bit, but only because we have confidence in our football team."
Earlier in the week, Jets safety Kerry Rhodes said New York wanted to "embarrass" New England.
"Kerry made a statement, we stood behind him and we had his back," defensive end Shaun Ellis said.
Sanchez (14-for-22, 163 yards) came out throwing in the second half after a quiet first two quarters and connected with Dustin Keller on a go-ahead touchdown, and the Jets' defense clamped down on the Patriots.
"It's a major win for us," Ellis said. "To close that out and put an end to that, it's great."
Brady had a chance to tie it for the Patriots, getting the ball at the Patriots' 10 with 1:48 left, but the Jets' stopped him as Dwight Lowery knocked away a pass to Joey Galloway on fourth down.
Brady was unable to engineer his 30th comeback victory as Sanchez took a knee twice to seal it.
