Tim Tebow vs. Mark Sanchez: Why It's a One-Sided Competition as the Jets QB

Tim Tebow is officially a member of the New York Jets. The trade has caused an uproar of believers that Tebow is either the better quarterback or deserves to be starting.

Tebow's role with the Jets will basically be as a specialist, and he will see significant playing time for a backup quarterback. 

There has been a feeling that Tebow will take over the job by midseason because he is a winner and Sanchez can't handle New York. Yet, as we break down the aspects of these two quarterbacks, you will see that it is not even a question of who is the better player.

Regular-Season Statistics

In his first three seasons as the Jets starting quarterback, Mark Sanchez has accumulated a 28-20 record during the regular season. This gives Sanchez a 58.33 percent winning percentage during the regular season.

In the 2010 season, Sanchez led the Jets to an 11-5 record. Sanchez has thrown 55 touchdowns in the regular season, and his touchdown passes have increased each year significantly. Last season Sanchez ran for six touchdowns.

In the 2010 season, Tim Tebow was 1-2 as a starter. Tebow took over as the starting quarterback for the Denver Broncos last season and went 7-4 to help the Broncos end with an 8-8 record. As a starter during the regular season, Tebow has a 57.14 winning percentage.

However he ended the regular season, winning only one of his five games. In 14 career starts, Tebow has only thrown 17 touchdown passes. Last season Tebow had six rushing touchdowns.

Fourth-Quarter Comebacks and Game-Winning Drives

Tim Tebow's ability to come back and win games in the fourth quarter was highly publicized last season. He went on a run in which he led the Broncos to a fourth-quarter victory in four straight games.

Mark Sanchez also has been able to be clutch late in games.

In his career, Sanchez has nine fourth-quarter comebacks and 11 game-winning drives. Two of those fourth-quarter comebacks and game-winning drives came in the playoffs against the San Diego Chargers in 2009 and the Indianapolis Colts in 2010. 

Tebow has six fourth-quarter comebacks and seven game-winning drives. Tebow had six game-winning drives last season—the same as Sanchez in 2010-11.

Postseason Success

People consider Tim Tebow a winner. But why isn't Mark Sanchez also considered a winner?

Sanchez has led the Jets to two straight AFC championships in his first two seasons. In the postseason Sanchez has compiled four road wins, which tied an NFL record for most road playoff wins at the time. In six playoff games Sanchez has thrown nine touchdowns and only three interceptions.

Tebow and the Broncos were able to make it to the playoffs last season by the skin of their teeth.

He led the Broncos to a first-round victory over a beaten-down Pittsburgh Steelers team. In the following round, the Broncos got completely destroyed by the New England Patriots 45-10.

One year earlier, Sanchez led the Jets past the Patriots in the same round. Tebow was unable to do what Sanchez did and get his team to the AFC Championship Game.

Super Bowl Quarterback Mold

If you look at recent quarterbacks to win a Super Bowl, there is a certain type of player that takes snaps behind center.

Players like Eli Manning, Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, Peyton Manning and Tom Brady all have a certain quality about them. Mark Sanchez fits into that type of quarterback, whereas Tim Tebow does not. 

Sanchez is obviously a passing quarterback. He has a strong arm and has completed 55.3 percent of his passes in his career. His completion percentage has increased each season. He has averaged 195.9 passing yards per game in his career and 217.1 last season.

Tebow is a quarterback that relies on his legs and running the ball. Tebow completes fewer than half of his passes at a completion percentage of 47.3 percent in his career. Tebow averages only 103.6 passing yards per game in his career.