For the first time in recent memory, Mark Sanchez took his lumps and accepted responsibility following the Jets’ 28-9 loss to the Bills on Sunday.
The loss wasn’t all Sanchez’s fault, but his play made the game nearly unwinnable. In a game where he needed to step-up and elevate his teammates, the Jets quarterback came out flat. But opposed to most games this season, Sanchez’s postgame comments lacked the word “we” and instead focused on “I.”
“I think we just didn’t execute and it starts with the quarterback. I’ve got to be better. At times we ran the ball really well, at times we didn’t,” Sanchez said. “At times we made plays in the passing game, and at times we didn’t. When you’re inconsistent like that it’s tough to win in this league.”
The Jets and Sanchez had their chances against an ordinary Bills defense.
They had the ball for 32:20, which amounted to 72 plays on 12 possessions, but yielded just three field goals. Sanchez had help on Sunday as the ground game was clicking and the defense kept the Bills in check for much of three quarters. But Sanchez’s throws were errant and his timing was off. He sailed passes over his receivers, saw passes tipped at the line and threw an interception into triple coverage.
In short, he was the Sanchez Jets fans booed in the 15 weeks prior to his benching last Sunday. He was sporadic with his accuracy and suspect with his decisions.
Sanchez had more interceptions (18) than touchdowns (13) this season for this first time since he was a rookie. He completed 48.6 percent of his passes on Sunday, marking the eighth time this season he was under 50 percent. His poor performances have led to speculation he will be traded this offseason.
“I mean I’m contracted to be here. I want to be here,” Sanchez said. “That’s all I’ve known is a Jets uniform. I plan on playing here forever, so who knows.”
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