Reggie Wayne (Getty Images)
Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez enters today’s game with the Colts knowing there is one easy way to quiet the talk about his job security, Tim Tebow and every other negative surrounding this team right now.
“We just have to win games,” Sanchez said. “That’s what I’m concerned with. We’ll get things rolling here. When you win games, you get a lot of praise, and a lot of things you failed to do in a win get swept under the rug. But when things don’t go right … then there’s a problem. That comes with the territory.”
Sanchez has entered uncharted territory over the past two weeks. He always has been under the microscope, but it has intensified to a degree not even he has experienced thanks to the presence of Tebow behind him.
The Jets (2-3) enter this game desperate for a win after losing their past two and three of the past four. This seems like a good matchup for the Jets. The Colts (2-2) come to MetLife Stadium today having lost their last nine road games. The Jets have not lost three consecutive home games since 2009.
Indianapolis is young, led by rookie quarterback Andrew Luck. He is one of four Colts rookies who will start on offense. Luck is the first rookie quarterback in NFL history to pass for more than 1,200 yards and record two wins in his team’s first four games.
“He’s a guy that I think is just a rare [quarterback], Peyton Mannings, the Tom Bradys, those types that only come along so often,” Jets defensive coordinator Mike Pettine said. “You can tell he’s a gym rat. He’s the kind of guy that, even though he’s a rookie, you can’t treat him like one.”
The Colts are coming off an emotional, 30-27 win over the Packers last week, their first game without coach Chuck Pagano, who is undergoing treatment for leukemia. Will the Colts be able to carry that emotion over for another week or suffer a letdown against the Jets?
Veteran wide receiver Reggie Wayne said he hopes to bring the boo birds out at MetLife.
“They will boo and we want to give them a reason,” Wayne said. “We want to turn them against their own team. But, if we don’t do that, it’ll be a hard game. It’ll be a rough game.”
A look inside the game:
MARQUEE MATCHUP
Jets QB Mark Sanchez vs. Colts secondary. There is a ton of pressure on Sanchez. He has played poorly in his past four games, but has had the excuse of having faced good defenses. The Colts have struggled defensively. Sanchez needs to complete more than 50 percent of his passes, something he has not done since Week 1, against this group that does not have any superstars.
WAYNE WATCH
Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne is off to a great start at age 32. Wayne is tied for fifth in the NFL through five games with 36 receptions. Against the Packers last week, he had 212 receiving yards.
Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie will cover him most of the day, but the Colts move Wayne around to create matchup issues.
“It’s going to be tough,” Jets coach Rex Ryan said. “I think if [Wayne] just sat out there where he used to be, I think it’d be a little easier. We’d be able to identify where he is, but they’re moving him around a little bit. It’s kind of hard to get your hands on him.”
RUNNING ROOM
Is this the week the running game shows up? The Colts seem like a prime opponent to establish the run against. They are 25th in the league against the run (133.8 yards per game) and are dealing with injuries among their front seven. The Jets have registered some of the worst run totals of the Ryan era in recent weeks
(45 yards against the 49ers, 69 vs. the Texans). Shonn Greene has been missing in action. The Jets need to get him going this week.
DUSTIN’S RETURN
The Jets get a key piece of their offensive puzzle back today when tight end Dustin Keller returns, after missing four games with a right hamstring injury. Keller led the team in receptions in each of the last two years. His presence should help Sanchez elevate his dismal completion percentage (48.4)
“It’s huge,” Sanchez said of Keller’s return.
NO PRESSURE
The Jets pass rush has been a rumor. They have just five sacks, which ranks 30th in the league. Garrett McIntyre leads the team with two. Aaron Maybin, Quinton Coples and Muhammad Wilkerson have none.
“We’d like it to be better, but still, sometimes the sack numbers don’t really end up where you want them to be,” Pettine said. “We look at more of whether it’s a pressure, whether it’s a hurry, and also don’t get too concerned with it when you’re looking at the style of the game as well. Most of those opportunities in typical NFL games come in the fourth quarter, when you have a lead and can really tee off on a team.”
Costello’s Call
This is the perfect opponent at the perfect time for the Jets.
All the things the Colts do well play into the Jets’ strengths.
It won’t be a laugher, but the Jets will be in control for most of the game and hold off a charge from Luck at the end.
JETS 27, COLTS 20
brian.costello@nypost.com