Top 5 Games/Moments in Mark Sanchez’s Career: Number 4

Jan.1, 2012; Miami, FL, USA; New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez (6) before a game against the Miami Dolphins at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-US PRESSWIRE

We continue the countdown of the top 5 games/moments in the career of the young Mark Sanchez. So far, we have covered number 5, which you can read by clicking here.

Today, we go into number 4.

2010 Week 9-New York Jets top Detroit Lions in OT 23-20

The Jets came into this game, coming off of a tough game against Green Bay, where they lost 9-0. The defense was terrific, but Mark and the offense just couldn’t get anything going that day. However, the Jets were still playing well, winning five out of six coming in with a 5-2 record.

The Jets were down 20-10 late in the fourth quarter, but Mark Sanchez and the Jets made a furious comeback, scoring 10 points in the final five minutes, forcing overtime, before Nick Folk connected from 30 yards out to give the Jets a 23-20 win, running their record to 6-2.

So why is this on the list? Turn the page for the reasons..

Mark was coming off of a terrible game the week prior. Against Green Bay, Mark went 16-38 for 256 yards and 2 TDs, a 43.3 passer rating.

And Sanchez was OK during this game, but you couldn’t say he was great throughout. Other than a touchdown to Braylon Edwards in the second quarter, Mark was OK. Heck, for the game he was only 22-39 passing. These are numbers that we expect from Mark, but they aren’t great for NFL standards. So why is it on the list?

For the way Mark played late.

Down 10 in the fourth quarter, Mark Sanchez leads them down the field on a 6 play scoring drive that took 1:40, highlighted by connections to Jerricho Cotchery for 18 yards, and Dustin Keller for 25, before Sanchez took it himself from 1 yard out to close the gap to within 3.

Then, after a gift of a pass attempt on third down by the Lions that aids in a three and out, Sanchez takes them right down the field again in the final 1:40. The drive took 9 plays and ended with a Nick Folk field goal as time ran out.

The Jets finished it in overtime with Nick Folk again.

The point is the amount of maturity that Mark Sanchez showed. He played terribly the week prior, and didn’t play great for the balance of this one. But, he had the maturity to keep the team together, and bring them back from 10 down in the final five minutes to tie, and win it.

Number 4 best moment in Mark Sanchez’s career.