Sunday, May 23, 2010

Jets Win Their First NFL Preseason Game By Beating Giants

By Ross Everett

A 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 as coach of the Jets as his team nipped the rival New York Giants 27-25. Both teams are now 1-2 in NFL preseason play.

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. The Jets have gone OVER in all three of their exhibition games, while the Giants have exceeded the total in two of three.

Sanchez finished with 149 yards on 13 of 20 passing and a touchdown pass. After the game, he was pleased the victory:

"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 was even impressed with Sanchezs touchdown play, which came with two defenders right in his face:

"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 remembered it thusly:

"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 finished with 91 yards on 9 of 21 passing with a touchdown and interception. He also had receiver Steve Smith drop a wide open pass that would have gone for a touchdown. Afterwards, he sympathized with his receiver:

"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. The Giants will get the NFL regular season started with a big game against their divisional rivals as they host the Washington Redskins on Sunday, September 13th. The Jets will start the season on the road as they travel to Houston for a game against the Texans. - 2361

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