Mark Sanchez vs. Tim Tebow: Where Does Jets QB Controversy Stand After Week 6?

After a convincing win against the Indianapolis Colts at home, the quarterback controversy between Mark Sanchez and Tim Tebow has simmered down.

Sanchez and the Jets put down 35 points against the ineffective Colts defense. The biggest stars of the game were clearly Shonn Greene and the Jets offensive line. Greene totaled career-best numbers with 166 rushing yards and equaled his best touchdown output of his career with three. 

As a team, the Jets ran the ball 44 times for 252 yards and three touchdowns. 

That made Sanchez's life pretty easy, as he was only asked to throw the ball 18 times. He ended the game with 11 completions for 82 yards with two touchdowns and zero interceptions.

Tebow threw one pass in the game—a 23-yard completion to linebacker Nick Bellore on a fake punt.

The bottom line as it pertains to the quarterback controversy is this: If the Jets can continue to run the ball effectively going forward, Sanchez will have a fighting chance to play well within the constructs of the offense. 

When there's no running game to speak of, opposing teams can rush Sanchez with ears pinned back, knowing his offensive line can't possibly keep the floodgates from running over.

Unfortunately for the Jets and for Sanchez, the Colts defense isn't one known for stifling opponents' running games. Before getting blown out by the Jets, the Colts were allowing teams to rush for 136 yards per game—No. 26 in the NFL in that department. 

Worse still, the Jets' schedule doesn't lend itself well to continued success on the ground. Next week, the Jets travel to face the New England Patriots. Before this week, the Pats gave up just 82 yards per game on the ground—No. 8 in the NFL—and then allowed just 85 yards to Marshawn Lynch and the Seattle Seahawks in Week 6. 

Sanchez and the Jets had a nice bounceback game this week, and the calls for Tebow have settled down considerably. 

That doesn't mean this quarterback controversy is finished, though—not by a long shot. 

If Sanchez doesn't get any run support in New England, Chandler Jones and the gang are liable to make his life a living hell, and the chants for Tebow will rise full throat once again.

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