Two Time's a Charm? Sanchez, Jets Soar Above Jungle In Win Over Cincy

So the Jets have once again defeated the Cincinnati Bengals.

Yet if they were to play again next week I have a feeling the critics would still be predicting a Bengals win.

Call it rookie luck or just call it a fluke, the Jets' 24-14 victory over the Bengals proves that Mark Sanchez has the ability to keep his team in the game. Throwing for 182 yards and going 12 for 15 with a QB rating of 139.4, "Sanchize" joins an exclusive group of rookie QB's (that includes Ben Roethlisberger, Joe Flacco, and Shaun King) whom have led their teams to playoff victories.

This is exactly what the New York Jets were looking for when they traded up for the fifth pick in the 2009 NFL Draft to snag Sanchez.

Despite throwing 20 picks in the regular season, including a six-interception game against the 6-10 Bills, Sanchez has regrouped enough to lead his team another week to either Indianapolis or San Diego.

But what about the rest of the Jets without the last name Sanchez?

Well, they ran. A lot. And the defense only allowed Carson Palmer to throw for 186 yards and to complete only 50 percent of his passes.

Thomas Jones' underrated understudy, Shonn Greene, rushed for 135 yards and a score, proving that Gang Green has multiple threats in the backfield. Jones himself only ran for 34 yards, but after last weeks two-score, 78 yard performance against the Bengals, Jets fans should give him a break for this one.

The defense once again smothered a Bengals team that was 24th in the league in total offensive yards, 22nd in the league in total offensive touchdowns, and ninth in the league in total rushing yards. Last week Gang Green gave up a combined 72 yards rushing to a Bengals team without their star back. This time, against Cincinnati's star, the Jets let Cedric Benson run for an astounding 169 yards and a score—possibly showing signs of fatigue (or boredom) in the D line.

Bryan Thomas led the defensive squad with seven tackles and a sack, but was supported by five tackles each from Shaun Ellis and Lito Sheppard and tight coverage by the whole Jets' secondary. An interception by Darrelle Revis proved even more why he's deserving of the Pro Bowl spot.

For the Bengals, looks like this year's motto is now "there's always next year." I wouldn't expect much more, however.

Carson Palmer produced a so-so year for the Bengals, but didn't have much to work with talent-wise outside of Ochocinco and an aging Laveranues Coles. Hopefully for the Bengals, Andre Caldwell can up his game to give the Bengals' receiving corps. more threats.

The running game looked healthy, but was still one-dimensional. Cedric Benson was possibly one of the best running backs in the league this year, providing a running game that gave the Bengals more options in the playbook. Larry Johnson's name still makes me think of a good running back, but until he starts producing like he used to it looks like Benson is the lone threat next year in the Bengal backfield. Bernard Scott could blossom, but still needs to work on his footwork.

Their defense was not all that good. They did rank fifth in defensive touchdowns, but still lacked the energy and size to rank in the top half of the league in total defense. With that being said, Dhani Jones and Rey Mauluga look like they might become perennial stars in the future. The Bengals need to draft a shutdown defensive lineman in this year's draft to help with their rushing defense.

Overall, I have to say good job to the Bengals this year for running the gauntlet and winning the AFC North. Better luck next year, of course.

As for Gang Green, preparing for either the Colts or the Chargers will be a mighty task. Even though it may look impossible to beat an Indy team playing its starters for four quarters, playing like the past two weeks with smash-mouth running, elite defense, and a limited role for Mark Sanchez might prove to be the key to the AFC Championship.

Remember, defense wins championships.

Until tomorrow,

Have fun everyone.