While the Jets have been calling themselves “the Miami Heat of football,” I’ve been laughing at their bravado. Sure they have an excellent defense, but their Super Bowl aspirations are misguided. All along I’ve said that Mark Sanchez will hold them back and after the first week of the season it appears as if that will be the case.
The Jets lost on Monday Night Football to the Ravens 10-9. The only thing uglier than their 14 penalties for 125 yards were their passing stats. Second-year quarterback Mark Sanchez went 10-21 for 74 yards without a touchdown or turnover. No receiver had more than two catches and 18 yards. There’s a reason none of their receivers made it onto my fantasy team and this was it.
Granted, the Jets were facing one of the best defenses in the league in the Ravens, but less than 100 yards passing won’t cut it for a Super Bowl team. See, the Ravens were also facing one of the best defenses in the league but they threw for 248 yards. Baltimore has a similar amount of play makers on offense as the Jets, but the difference is they have a more experienced quarterback.
I thought Mark Sanchez played well enough for what the Jets needed him to do last year in the playoffs. I feel like Sanchez will be a good quarterback in a few years. But Mark Sanchez is still a young quarterback and a lot is being asked of him. His development as a quarterback is not at the same stage as the team’s defense. One is Super Bowl-ready, the other is still learning the league.
It may only be one game, and Mark Sanchez may still be good in time, but the Jets are not going to the Super Bowl this year with him as their starting quarterback.
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