EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The New York Jets backed up their big talk and finally beat Tom Brady and the New England Patriots at home.
Mark Sanchez came out throwing in the second half after a quiet first two quarters and connected with Dustin Keller on a go-ahead touchdown as the Jets held on and beat Brady for the first time at a loud Meadowlands with a 16-9 victory Sunday.
Brady had a chance to tie it for the Patriots, getting the ball at the Patriots 10 with 1:48 left, but the Jets' defense stopped him as Dwight Lowery knocked away a pass to Joey Galloway on fourth down.
Brady was unable to engineer his 30th comeback victory as Sanchez took a knee twice to seal the first victory for the Jets (2-0) over the Patriots (1-1) at home in nine games. Brady had beaten the Jets in 12 of the previous 14 games he had faced them overall.
Sanchez finished 14 of 22 for 163 yards and the touchdown to Keller, while Brady was 23 of 47 for 216 yards and an interception. He was without one of his favorite targets as Wes Welker sat out with a knee injury.
The victory came after a week in which Jets safety Kerry Rhodes said New York wanted to embarrass New England and Coach Rex Ryan reiterated his comments that he didn't come to "kiss Bill Belichick's rings."
Ryan also sent a voice mail to season ticket holders, urging them to be loud and give the Jets an edge. The fans clearly listened as the Patriots had a difficult time with the noise and Brady was forced into consecutive delay of game penalties in the third quarter.
Sanchez was 3 of 5 for 15 yards in the first half, but connected with Jerricho Cotchery for a 45-yard gain to the Patriots 11 on the first play of the third quarter. After a 2-yard run by Thomas Jones, Sanchez found Keller in the back of the end zone to give the Jets a 10-9 lead 1:03 into the third quarter.
The Jets nearly scored another touchdown on their next possession, when Chansi Stuckey caught a pass from Sanchez in the right corner of the end zone. Belichick challenged the call, and it was reversed, with the officials saying Stuckey was unable to get both feet down in bounds.
Sanchez went back to Stuckey on the next play, but overthrew him and the Jets settled for a 21-yard field goal by Jay Feely to make it 13-9.
Feely added a 39-yarder with 9:48 remaining to give the Jets a 16-9 lead. It capped a 14-play, 63-yard drive that lasted 8:21.
New England outgained New York 197-57, but still led just 9-3 at halftime.
Sports, Pages 16 on 09/21/2009