By Jim Scott
DNAinfo Associate Editor
Rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez threw for 276 yards and a touchdown, and the Jets defense was just as good as coach Rex Ryan boasted it'd be, when New York stunned the Houston Texans 24-7 at Reliant Stadium on Sunday.
"This is pretty special," Sanchez, the fifth overall pick in the NFL draft, told the Associated Press. "I felt in control and I felt like I need to play smart all game and I felt like I did that, minus one play."
The rookie quarterback hooked up with Chasi Stuckey on a 30-yard strike in the second quarter for his first NFL touchdown pass.
Thomas Jones led New York's ground attack with 107 yards and two touchdowns, including a 38-yard scamper to seal the game in the 4th quarter.
Sanchez looked like a savvy veteran, avoiding the Texans' pass rush and leading the Jets on four scoring drives. He was particularly effective on third down, completing 12-of-15 passes for 191 yards and a touchdown.
While the Jets rookie kept the offense moving, it was the team's suffocating defense that set the pace on Sunday. New York's defense terrorized Texans quarterback Matt Schaub all afternoon and held Houston to 183 total yards of offense.
"We've got to set the tone, we're a physical defense," linebacker Bart Scott told the Associated Press. "We dare you to come up and butt heads with us, and that's what you have to do."
The Jets defense recorded two sacks, knocked Schaub down repeatedly and held the Texans to just 13 yards rushing.
