Is the Jets Mark Sanchez playing the best football of his career?

Numbers don’t lie.

Which is why it’s surprising to see that New York Jets QB Mark Sanchez is playing the best football of his career.  Off to a 4-3 start, the team, and Sanchez, are clearly in need of improvement.  After all, this is a team that has gone to two straight AFC Championship Games and we can all agree this 2011 version of the Jets is nowhere close to the 2009 or 2010 team.

But look at Sanchez’ numbers.

Entering 2011,  his third season, he had 29 touchdown passes and 33 interceptions in 30 regular-season games. (12 TDs, 20 INTs in 2009; 17-13 in 2001).

This season?

How about 12 TD passes and only six picks through seven games.  His 1,595 passing yards put him on pace for a career high and his 83.0 passing rating and 55.8% completion are both career highs.

Could this be a case of where numbers don’t paint an accurate picture or is Sanchez really playing the best football of his career?