Grading the Jets’ first game:
QUARTERBACKS B+
Mark Sanchez (18-31, 272 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 84.3 rating) was better than advertised considering this was his first NFL start.
RUNNING BACKS B+
Thomas Jones had 14 yards on 12 car ries before he went 38 yards for the second of his two TDs. He finished with 107 yards on 20 carries. Leon Washington (15-60) also was effective.
WIDE RECEIVERS B
Chansi Stuckey (4-64, 1 TD) proved him self to be a worthy No. 2. Jerricho Cotchery (6 -90) quietly had a strong game.
TIGHT ENDS B
Dustin Keller (4-94) made some big catches, including a 40-yarder on that drive following the Sanchez INT.
OFFENSIVE LINE B+
Quietly, a nice performance. Sanchez wasn’t sacked once. Penalties by LT D’Brickashaw Ferguson, RG Brandon Moore and LG Alan Faneca were the only nega tives.
DEFENSIVE LINE A
NT Kris Jenkins was incredibly active, hit ting Texans QB Matt Schaub several times and controlling the run defense. The Tex ans averaged 2.8 yards per carry.
LINEBACKERS A
Bart Scott (three pressures, one tackle for a loss) set the early tone with some hits on Schaub. David Harris led the way with 11 tackles and a sack.
SECONDARY A
CB Darrelle Revis stifled Houston WR Andre Johnson (4 catches, 35 harmless yards). CB Donald Strickland had a big forced fumble and a QB pressure that resulted in an INT by CB Lito Sheppard.
SPECIAL TEAMS B+
LB Jason Trusnik was given a game ball for his work on the punt team.
KICKING GAME A
Jay Feely made his only FG attempt, a 24-yarder, and made a big tackle in kick coverage early in the game.
COACHING A
Rex Ryan’s pre-game speech is some thing the players will remember for a long time. His aggressive defensive schemes are something the Texans will remember all sea son.