NFL Roundup

Sanchez shines in debut!

Fifth overall draft pick in this year's draft, Mark Sanchez, picked up his first career NFL win and helped the New York Jets get off to a fast start to begin the season, by defeating the  Houston Texans 24-7. Sanchez threw for 272 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

On attendance was Hall of Famer and Jets legend Joe Namath. After the game Namath said that it did not surprise him that Sanchez performed well.

"No, I was hopeful and I'm satisfied more than I thought I'd be," Namath said. "His offensive line did a hell of a job, but he did a great job of finding time with his feet, just to move subtly ... I don't doubt even a little bit that he doesn't have poise at this stage."

Rookie coach Rex Ryan showed why he is a defensive genius. The Jets defense intercepted Matt Schaub twice and recovered one fumble.

"I believe in this football team, I believe in the coaches we have, I believe in the players we have and I believe in the support staff," Ryan told reporters in the Reliant Stadium visitors' interview room. "I've been saying it all along. It's just nobody wanted to listen."

Running backs Thomas Jones rushed for 107 yards and Leon Washington added 60 yards to keep the Texans defense off balance.

Up next for the Jets will be the New England Patriots who come into the Meadowlands 1-0 as well.

Coach Ryan stirred up the fire with the Patriots in the pre-season by saying, "I never came here to kiss Bill Belichick's rings," Ryan said. "I came to win, let's put it that way. So we'll see what happens. I'm certainly not intimidated by New England or anybody else."

Giants defeat division rival!

Coach Tom Coughlin and the defending NFC East champions New York Giants defeated the Washington Redskins by the score of 23-17. The Giants did not find a replacement for wide receiver Plaxico Burress, but they did get their captain back on defense, Osi Umenyiora.

Umenyiora recovered a fumble on a sack and returned it for a touchdown in the 2^nd quarter.