Here are your choices:
Mark Sanchez: A spectacular debut for the rookie quarterback. Sanchez completed 18-of 31 pass attempts for 272 yards and a touchdown, repeatedly coming up with big third-down completions. The one interception he threw in no way diminished a performance that exceeded expectations. Sanchez appeared poised and confident right from the start, and his footwork, decision making, and accuracy were better than advertised.
Jets’ Defense: The Gang Green defense ganged up on Houston all day. The game announcers and studio analysts kept asking where the Texans’ Andre Johnson was. The answer: getting schooled by Darrelle Revis, one of the best cornerbacks in football. The front seven, led by David Harris, Bart Scott, and Kris Jenkins, dominated Houston all day. The Texans were unable to run the ball and Matt Schaub spent the majority of his day trying to get back on his feet after one punishing hit after another. It’s scary to think how good this defense will be when Calvin Pace and Shaun Ellis enter the fold. This could become the best defense in the NFL.
Rex Ryan: You’ve got to give the head coach credit. The Jets looked like a well-coached team on Sunday. Ryan, much like his quarterback, looked relaxed and confident. The team was prepared to play and they believed they could win. Ryan gets credit for that. He and his staff called an excellent game on both sides of the ball. The enthusiasm, aggressiveness, and tenacity his players showed were painfully lacking a year ago and that’s why Ryan was brought in. In his first game as an NFL head coach, Ryan delivered.
Now it’s your turn to tell me who you think should get the Week 1 game ball.
