On this date in New York Jets history: Mark Sanchez explodes
The New York Jets drafted quarterback Zach Wilson this past April with hopes of him becoming their long-awaited franchise quarterback.
Twelve years ago, they had the same hopes for another young, enthralling quarterback: none other than Mark Sanchez.
Sanchez had one of his best career performances on this date in 2011.
On Nov. 27, 2011, Sanchez threw four touchdown passes in a game for the first (and ultimately only) time in his NFL career. The Jets picked up a 28-24 win over the Buffalo Bills to kick off a three-game win streak that brought them to their final total of eight wins on the season – a three-game losing streak followed.
Despite his four touchdown passes, Sanchez actually put together a rather unimpressive stat line in the game against Buffalo. On 35 attempts, he completed only 17 passes for 180 yards.
Shonn Greene led the team in rushing with 78 yards on 13 carries. Leading the charge in the passing game was tight end Dustin Keller and wide receiver Plaxico Burress. The duo combined for over 115 yards and three touchdowns (two scored by Keller).
With just over one minute remaining in the fourth quarter, Sanchez rolled right and hit wideout Santonio Holmes in the end zone for the game-winning touchdown, giving Sanchez one of his four game-winning drives on the season.
In his first two seasons in the league, Sanchez did not need to throw for many touchdowns considering he had an elite defense and run game. Sanchez threw for 29 touchdowns combined from 2009-10.
The 2011 season featured the best numbers of Sanchez’s career. His four-touchdown performance against the Bills was part of a 26-touchdown campaign, which at the time was only three touchdowns shy of Vinny Testaverde’s franchise record.
As of Nov. 27, 2021, the Jets have not had a four-touchdown game from a quarterback in over two years. The last? Sam Darnold against Washington in November 2019.
With Wilson set to return on Sunday, Jets fans’ hopes are high as the team heads to Houston for a matchup vs. the Texans.
It’s no prediction, but Wilson has all the talent in the world to do exactly what Sanchez did 10 years ago.
