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The Jets entered the fourth quarter down 17-7, with the football, but on third-and-nine, Sanchez overthrew Jeremy Kerley down the deep middle, and it was intercepted by S Kenny Phillips.
After a 31-yard return by Phillips, the Giants took over on the Jets’ 14. They had a three-and-out, but kicked a field goal to make it 20-7.
On the second play of the Jets next possession, Sanchez threw over the deep middle to Keller, but there was one slight problem, Dustin was looking, and the pass fell incomplete. Like I said in one of the early sections, it’s very surprising how out of sorts these two are, considering they are wrapping up their third year together, and also considering how close they are.
To their credit, they connect on the next play, a third-and-11, for a gain of 13 on the short right side.
On the next play, Sanchez had a pass attempt to Kerley, batted down by DE Justin Tuck. Batted passes were a major problem in this game. Two issues here. As we mentioned before, the Jets route tree is very predictable, so the defensive linemen can often guess effectively where the passes are going. Also, Sanchez tends to stare down his receivers, so that also helps the D-Linemen see where the pass is probably going. Also, Ray Lucas thinks Sanchez needs to follow through more.
On the next play, Sanchez attempted another short dump pass to LT on the right side, and LB Chase Blackburn broke it up.
On third-and-ten, Sanchez hit Keller over the short middle for a gain of nine. Then on fourth-and-one, Sanchez attempted a pass down the deep right side for Keller that wasn’t even close, but S Deon Grant was called for pass interference.
Two plays later, the Jets took advantage of a favorable matchup, Plaxico Burress on rookie CB Prince Amukamura, and Sanchez hit the wide receiver for a 23-yard touchdown. It was nullified though because the officials called Burress for pushing off.
A few plays later, Sanchez converted on a fourth-and-two, hitting Kerley for 10 yards, over the short middle. Three plays later, this drive ended on the Giants one, on third-and-one, when there was a botched snap between Nick Mangold and Sanchez, and the Giants recovered in the end zone, for a touchback.
The Jets got the ball back on the next play, thanks to a David Harris pick. The Jets almost gave it right back. On the next play, DT Linval Joseph hit Sanchez as he threw causing a fumble, and Joseph recovered, but it was reversed. It’s hard to blame the line for this sack, Sanchez had a lot of time to throw. It was clearly a coverage sack.
Sanchez got the Jets into the end zone a few plays later with a one-yard run to make it 20-14. On the previous play, he had an 11-yard run, to advance the ball to the one.
The Jets got the ball right back after the defense stopped the Giants on three downs.
But then the next possession, starting on the 50, was awful, and basically decided the game. Sanchez started the drive with incompletions on first and second down. On first down, a short pass to LT fell incomplete. On second down, Tuck blocked yet another pass. On third-and-10, Sanchez was sacked by DE Dave Tollefson. Once again – this was a coverage sack – Sanchez held the ball too long. What a waste; the defense got them the ball back on the 50, and they lose four yards on three plays and punt.
The Jets eventually got the ball back, and on the first play, Sanchez was sacked in the end zone by Chris Canty for a safety. Canty beat Slauson on this play.
The Giants scored on their first play after getting the ball back on an onsides punt, and that was the ball game.
The Jets last possession of the game ended with a Sanchez pick when he threw a pick down the right seam to CB Corey Webster. Sanchez overthrew Kerley on this play.
The Jets need an open competition at quarterback next summer, and if they don’t have one, they are clearly more committed to being right in the draft, and a large financial investment, than winning.
