The grand two-quarterback experiment that will be the 2012 New York Jets got off to an explosive start on Sunday, with Mark Sanchez leading the team to a 48-28 win against the Buffalo Bills.
Both Sanchez and backup Tim Tebow played snaps in the game, but it was Sanchez who dominated, throwing for three touchdown passes and 266 yards in the rout.
"It's a great win, there's no doubt about it," Sanchez told the Associated Press. "But, we've got lots of work to do."
The team has been criticized by some fans and the media after trading for Tebow in the offseason. The team intends to use both quarterbacks during games, including in Wildcat formations. Many experts say it will stunt the progress of Sanchez, but if Sunday is any example, the team should be fine.
Sanchez and Tebow seamlessly traded snaps during the game and the team erased any memory of the preseason where they scored no touchdowns in the first three games.
"Vindication, chip on our shoulder, maybe that's not the right things," head coach Rex Ryan said. "We were just excited to play."
Sanchez threw two touchdowns to rookie Stephen Hill and one to Jeremy Kerley, which was the first score of the game. Hill had five catches for 89 yards in his first professional game. He became the first wide receiver since 2005 and only the fifth in the past 25 years to have two scoring receptions in his first game.
"He definitely turned it on today," Kerley said of Sanchez. "I think there's always a big target on Mark's back and I think he likes it. He's a guy we trust and know what he's capable each week, and he showed it today."
The Jets took a 21-0 lead on a punt return touchdown by Kerley and entered the half up 27-7 after two Nick Folk field goals. It was the first punt return TD since 2004 for the Jets.
The Bills made a run at the end of the game, but the lead was just too far out of reach.
Running back CJ Spiller was the lone bright spot for the Bills, who couldn't muster up anything on offense during the game. Spiller had 169 yards rushing with a touchdown on 14 carries. Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick finished the game with three touchdowns, but also had three interceptions on only 195 yards passing.
"We're not going to go around like the sky is falling," Bills coach Chan Gailey said. "I'm not going to do that. I'm not going to let them do that."
At the end of the third quarter Fitzpatrick hit tight end Scott Chandler for a touchdown and followed with two more drives in the fourth to cut the score to 41-28. But with time winding down the Jets scored a rushing touchdown by Shonn Greene to seal the game at 48-28.
New York ran the ball effectively, with Greene gaining 94 yards on 27 carries and also scoring a touchdown.
The defense for the Jets was stellar throughout the game, including when cornerback Antonio Cromartie returned one of Fitzpatrick's interceptions for a touchdown in the third quarter.
Bills defensive end Mario Williams, who signed a huge free agent deal in the offseason, was shut out of the sack column, as both teams finished with zero on the day.
The Bills also lost starting wide receiver David Nelson to a knee injury and running back Fred Jackson to a leg injury.
"Fred doesn't look as bad as David," Gailey said. "We don't know how bad David is, but it doesn't look good right now. We'll get a further evaluation (Monday)."
Tebow was on the field for 12 plays, including on an onside kick return and on punt protection.
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