Scores for Sep 9, 2012
  • Final
     
    IND
    CHI
    21
    41
    21
    41
    0
  • Final
     
    PHI
    CLE
    17
    16
    17
    16
    1
  • Final
     
    STL
    DET
    23
    27
    23
    27
    2
  • Final
     
    NE
    TEN
    34
    13
    34
    13
    3
  • Final
     
    ATL
    KC
    40
    24
    40
    24
    4
  • Final OT
    OT
     
    JAC
    MIN
    23
    26
    23
    26
    5
  • Final
     
    WSH
    NO
    40
    32
    40
    32
    6
  • Final
     
    BUF
    NYJ
    28
    48
    28
    48
    7
  • Final
     
    MIA
    HOU
    10
    30
    10
    30
    8
  • Final
     
    SF
    GB
    30
    22
    30
    22
    9
  • Final
     
    SEA
    ARI
    16
    20
    16
    20
    10
  • Final
     
    CAR
    TB
    10
    16
    10
    16
    11
  • Final
     
    PIT
    DEN
    19
    31
    19
    31
    12
  • Final
     
    DAL
    NYG
    24
    17
    24
    17
    13
  • Final
     
    CIN
    BAL
    13
    44
    13
    44
    14
  • Final
     
    SD
    OAK
    22
    14
    22
    14
    15

Final

Bills 28

(0-1, 0-1 away)

Jets 48

(1-0, 1-0 home)

  • Alertsspacer

Coverage: CBS

1:00 PM ET, September 9, 2012

MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ 

1 2 3 4 T
BUF 0 7 7 1428
NYJ 7 20 14 748

Top Performers

Passing: M. Sanchez (NYJ) - 266 YDS, 3 TD, 1 INT

Rushing: C. Spiller (BUF) - 14 CAR, 169 YDS, 1 TD

Receiving: S. Hill (NYJ) - 5 REC, 89 YDS, 2 TD

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  • Play-By-Play
  • Drives
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  • Conversation
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Mark Sanchez throws for three TDs as Jets romp

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Associated Press
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Sunday Blitz: Bills-Jets Recap
Zubin Mehenti and Cris Carter break down Mark Sanchez' big day as the Jets roll over the Bills 48-28.
Sunday Blitz: Bills-Jets Recap
VIDEO PLAYLIST spacer
  • Sunday Blitz: Bills-Jets Recap
    Sunday Blitz: Bills-Jets Recap
    Zubin Mehenti and Cris Carter break down Mark Sanchez' big day as the Jets roll over the Bills 48-28.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- One touchdown after another, the New York Jets eased all those preseason concerns about their low-scoring offense.

With a whole lot of Mark Sanchez, a sprinkling of Tim Tebow and a dominant first-half effort by the defense, New York manhandled the Buffalo Bills, routing their AFC East rivals 48-28 in the season opener Sunday.

Rex Ryan passed on a chance to say, "We told you so" to all of his team's critics and doubters. So did Sanchez, and Tebow, too.

More from ESPN.com

spacer What two-QB system? Mark Sanchez reduced Tim Tebow to a prop in the Jets' impressive win over the Bills, writes Ian O'Connor. Story


spacer The Jets' Wildcat fell flat, and Mark Sanchez's big day could mean that Tim Tebow's hyped formation won't be all that divisive, writes Rich Cimini. Story


spacer Aside from Bart Scott, the Jets did all of their talking on the field in their opening rout, Johnette Howard writes. Story


spacer Ryan Fitzpatrick's Jekyll and Hyde act is getting old and the Bills can't wait much longer for him to become consistent, writes James Walker. Blog

• Mike & Mike: Paolantonio weighs in
• More radio: Ron Jaworski

"Vindication, chip on our shoulder, maybe that's not the right things," Ryan said. "We were just excited to play."

And, they looked it.

Sanchez threw three touchdown passes, including two to rookie Stephen Hill, Jeremy Kerley had a touchdown catch and a punt return for a score, and Antonio Cromartie took one of New York's three interceptions of Ryan Fitzpatrick to the end zone.

"It's a great win, there's no doubt about it," Sanchez said. "But, we've got lots of work to do."

That's from a team -- labeled by some a "circus" for its penchant for making offseason headlines, namely acquiring Tebow -- that had many wondering what to expect after the first-team offense failed to score a touchdown in the first three games of the preseason.

"It looked like we were making up for lost time there," Sanchez said.

Added Kerley: "We knew what we could do. We just showed the world today."

There were plenty of touchdowns in this one for the Jets, who set the franchise mark for most points in a season opener on Shonn Greene's late 1-yard scoring run.

"He definitely turned it on today," Kerley said of Sanchez. "I think there's always a big target on Mark's back and I think he likes it. He's a guy we trust and know what he's capable each week, and he showed it today."

Sanchez had the offense humming along so well, the fans at MetLife Stadium actually booed Tebow when he failed to gain a yard when he took a direct snap in the second quarter. The video board quickly flashed a sign: "Quiet! Offense At Work!"

Not everything went right, though, as the Jets allowed 195 yards rushing, including a career-high 169 by C.J. Spiller, and All-Pro cornerback Darrelle Revis left in the fourth quarter with a head injury. It doesn't appear Revis has a concussion, though.

Perhaps the only other thing that went wrong came early in the fourth quarter when Ryan took a tumble when Scott Chandler knocked into him on the sideline after a catch. Ryan went down to a knee and then laughed as he got up.

The game marked the highly anticipated debuts of Tebow, who worked in the wildcat a little bit and also recovered a late onside kick by Buffalo, and Bills defensive end Mario Williams -- who was a non-factor against a Jets offensive line that protected Sanchez throughout and gave him plenty of time to throw. Williams finished with just one tackle.

"As quick as the points got on the board, yeah, definitely," Williams said when asked if he was surprised by what New York did. "I didn't think you would see that lopsided a turnover battle. They got them and we didn't get turnovers on the defense."

Sanchez finished 19 of 27 for 266 yards and the three scores and an interception, and was not sacked.

Rookie Two Good in Week 1

spacer The Jets spent a second-round pick on former Georgia Tech standout Stephen Hill. In Week 1, he looked worth the price. Hill had TD catches of 33 and 17 yards, becoming just the fifth player in the past 25 years with a pair of scoring receptions in his first game.

Players with 2 TD catches
In first game, past 25 years

Year Player Team
2012 Stephen Hill Jets
2005 Alex Smith Buccaneers
2003 Anquan Boldin Cardinals
2003 Charles Rogers Lions
1998 Randy Moss Vikings
-- ESPN Stats & Information

"They kept me upright," Sanchez said of his offensive line, "and that helps."

Tebow wasn't used that much by the Jets, but added a tricky element to the offense and finished with five rushes for 11 yards and didn't throw a pass.

"After a little bit, we didn't show too much," Tebow said of the wildcat plays. "We were able to get in there and have some efficient plays."

Greene had 27 carries for 94 yards and the TD, and Hill had five catches for 89 yards.

Fitzpatrick was 18 of 32 for 195 yards and three touchdowns -- to Chandler, Stevie Johnson, Donald Jones -- and the three interceptions.

"We're not going to go around like the sky is falling," Bills coach Chan Gailey said. "I'm not going to do that. I'm not going to let them do that."

The Jets opened the game to loud cheers as both Sanchez and Tebow took the field, with the backup quarterback lined up as a slot receiver. Three plays later, Tebow took the snap with Sanchez lined up at wide receiver and handed to Joe McKnight for a 3-yard run.

With the offense moving along, Sanchez took off running and tried to shovel a pass to Jeff Cumberland, who had the ball tip off his hands and right to Bills linebacker Bryan Scott. But the Jets got the ball right back a few minutes later when Revis stepped in front of Fitzpatrick's pass intended for Johnson.

New York used its wildcat package a few times to get into the end zone on its next drive as Sanchez hit Kerley on a 12-yard pass for a touchdown.

More From ESPN.com

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