EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — After looking vulnerable for the first time this season, the New York Jets' top-ranked defense came up big in the end.
David Harris had an interception and a big sack on consecutive drives, and Mark Sanchez threw two touchdown passes and ran for another as the Jets stayed undefeated by holding on for a 24-17 victory over the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.
Sanchez became the first rookie quarterback to start a season and win in his first three games, helping the Jets to the fourth 3-0 start in franchise history. Rex Ryan also joined Al Groh (2000) as the only Jets coaches to win their first three games.
New York's defense, which allowed its first touchdowns of the season, turned up the pressure in the fourth quarter and stopped Kerry Collins, who was 0 for his last 13 as the Titans fell to 0-3.
After Chris Hope picked off Sanchez, the Titans got the ball back with a chance to tie. Five plays later, Harris stepped in front of a pass intended for Alge Crumpler to squash the drive.
The Jets couldn't put it away, though, going four-and-out after a holding penalty. But, the defense — and another loud Meadowlands crowd — was there again to bail out New York.
After a 12-yard run by Chris Johnson and an incompletion, the Titans had a false start. Harris then sacked Collins for an 8-yard loss to push Tennessee back to its 33. Collins then misfired on his last two pass attempts to seal it for the Jets.
Sanchez finished 17 of 30 for 171 yards and TD tosses to Jerricho Cotchery and Ben Hartsock. Collins was 15 of 37 for 170 yards and a touchdown, but threw two interceptions.
Johnson had 97 yards on 22 carries a week after he set a career high with 197 yards rushing.
New York took the lead after Ryan Mouton muffed a punt and the ball was recovered by Larry Izzo. Four plays later, Sanchez found Cotchery in the front of the end zone for a 6-yard touchdown that gave New York a 21-17 lead.
Jay Feely added a 30-yard field goal to make it 24-17 with 11:36 remaining. The Jets could've had more after Cotchery had a 46-yard catch that was reviewed and upheld to put the Jets at the Titans 14. After two runs, Sanchez scrambled and found Tony Richardson in the end zone, but the fullback couldn't come down with both feet in bounds.
Collins gave the Titans a 17-14 lead 3:26 into the second half when he hit Nate Washington for a 9-yard touchdown. Washington caught the pass over Dwight Lowery, starting for the injured Lito Sheppard, and got both feet in bounds along the right side of the end zone.
The Jets took a quick lead, scoring touchdowns on their first two possessions.
Sanchez marched New York down the field on a 10-play drive over 73 yards that was capped by his 14-yard run. Facing third-and-10 from the 14, Sanchez took off and took a hard shot from Michael Griffin, but pushed through into the end zone. The ball came out, but it had already crossed the goal line.
Mouton returned the ensuing kickoff 14 yards before he was hit by Jason Trusnik, who forced the ball out and recovered it at the Jets 19.
New York capitalized on second-and-goal from the 2 when Sanchez faked a handoff to Thomas Jones and threw to a wide-open Hartsock, who scored his first career touchdown.
Tennessee cut it to 14-7 on LenDale White's 2-yard run early in the second quarter, the first touchdown against New York's defense after nine-plus shutout quarters. White broke a few tackles before barreling into the end zone.
The score was set up when Sanchez fumbled as he was sacked by Tony Brown, and Jevon Kearse recovered.
Rob Bironas kicked a 38-yard field goal with 8 seconds left in the first half to make it 14-10.
The Jets were wearing their 1960 Titans of New York mustard yellow and navy uniforms, while the Titans were wearing their Houston Oilers' powder blue and white duds in honor of the 50th anniversary season of the AFL.