Two newcomers to the Meadowlands looked right at home on Saturday night.
Newly-dubbed Jets starting quarterback Mark Sanchez impressed many in a 27-25 win over the Giants, going 13-for-20 for 149 yards and a touchdown and helping first-year head coach Rex Ryan earn his first victory at the helm. Sanchez played for two and a half quarters and put 20 points on the board.
"You get a little more confidence when you know your coach believes in you and has named you the starter," Sanchez told ESPN.com. "It was similar to that at SC. Once you're the guy, you talk a little different, you walk a little different and you act a little different."
Sanchez made one particularly impressive play on a touchdown pass to Chansi Stuckey, eluding two defensive ends before connecting with the receiver 31 yards down the sideline. Stuckey broke four tackles to score.
It was enough to convince Ryan that he won't be regretting his decision to choose Sanchez over Kellen Clemens.
"He was poised," Ryan told ESPN.com. "He is what we thought he was."
Giants starter Eli Manning went 9-for-21 with a touchdown and a pick before ceding to David Carr, who went 12-for-17 with 181 yards and two touchdowns.
Giants rookie Hakeem Nicks led all receivers with six receptions for 144 yards and two touchdowns, including a 71-yard pass from Carr.
After scoring twice in the final five minutes of the game, the Giants failed to convert two two-point conversions that would have tied the game.