Can Mark Sanchez Survive a Four Round Bout with Tom Brady in Foxboro?

Get ready for my prediction of the battle between Mark Sanchez and Tom Brady.

I see it going down like this. Some time in the first quarter, after the Patriots have put some points on board, the combined power of LaDainian Tomlinson and Shonn Greene puts the ball in Patriot’s territory. The announcers are screaming about the Jets running game; they’re saying that it’s gashing and bleeding the Pats defensive line. They declare that the Patriots are hemorrhaging yards. After spurting a sting of violent verbs, they say that New England’s inexperienced defense can’t handle this postseason pressure. The idea of a Patriots upset hits them, and they jump from their chairs. Could a New York team once again upset a favored New England in the postseason? This would be dramatic gold for the NFL. Foam drips from their mouths. The camera stays off the announcers to hide their disheveled state. Outside in the stadium the noise of the crowd has reached a steady drone. New England fans aren’t worried about what’s happening on the field; they know what’s coming. Its first down and Sanchez gladly hands the ball of to L.T. Sanchez watches Tomlinson move towards the line of scrimmage, and imagines at least ten yards. But then something happens. Someone else notices L.T’s movements. A large shape hurtles through the air. Something that size shouldn’t move that fast. Vince Wilfork engulfs L.T, driving him to the ground for a loss of a yard. Now on second and long Sanchez has to stand up. The crowd, sensing that Sanchez will pass, redoubles their effort and starts screaming. Sanchez throws an uninspired pass that falls away incomplete. Jets fans watching from home cheer; they know it could have gone worse. Third down comes and the Jets need the first. Sanchez fires the ball, and it sails over his intended target into the hands of Devin Mccourty, who brings it back 20 yards managing to stiff-arm Sanchez along the way. At least that’s the way I imagine it.

You could call me a biased New England fan. I’ll admit that I am. But I’ll also admit that the Jets have a talented team. I respect them, but that doesn’t mean I have to consider Mark Sanchez a top quarterback. Compare his regular season stats to Brady. Brady threw 36 touchdowns with only four picks. Mark Sanchez had 17 touchdowns and 13 picks. When pressured, Sanchez will give up the ball. He falls apart under the type of situation he will face on Sunday.

I’m sure the Jets will use their running game in an attempt to limit his ball time but in order to beat the Patriots, who averaged over 30 ppg during the regular season, Sanchez will have to throw. Unfortunately for the Jets, this is something he couldn’t do in the wild card game. During the Colts game I watched him overthrow three passes in a row. He’s just not that accurate.

Despite the bye week Brady and Sanchez remain tied in post season touchdown passes. Sanchez might have beaten a wounded Colts team without getting into the end zone, but he won’t beat the Patriots without throwing touchdowns.

For more Divisional round predictions check out this article by Joe Lazauskas: NFL Power Rankings Playoff Edition (Round 2) (TFT)

To see the ridiculous things I will subject myself to if the Jets win, check out: If Jets Beat the Patriots, I will Subject Myself to an Extreme and Degrading Endurance Challenge in New York City

Picture from thejetsblog

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