National Football League

Ryan wants Sanchez to start in finale

Published Dec. 27, 2010 7:11 p.m. ET

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After a night to sleep on it, New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan on Monday did an about-face on his decision to rest quarterback Mark Sanchez in next Sunday’s regular-season finale against the Buffalo Bills at the Meadowlands.

Immediately upon the Jets hearing the news that they were in the playoffs following their 38-34 loss to the Bears Sunday and the Jaguars’ loss to the Redskins, Ryan pronounced that he would rest Sanchez and his sore right shoulder for the game so he would be ready for the playoffs.

But on Monday, in a conference call with reporters, Ryan indicated he wants to play Sanchez Sunday to ride his hot hand into the postseason.

“Obviously, his health is the No. 1 priority, but the fact that he’s in such a groove right now … we’ve got to look at it as week goes on,’’ Ryan said. “My first thought (Sunday) was to not even play him, but we’ve got to look at honing in (for the playoffs).

“I’m in that fine line, because he is hot right now and we can’t afford for him to take a step back. We need him to stay at this level.’’

There is a history of Sanchez and the offense playing poorly after extended layoffs.

The Jets looked horrible on offense in their 10-9 season-opener loss to the Ravens after the starters were all rested in the preseason finale the week before.

Then after their bye week, they lost 9-0 to the Packers in perhaps the worst offensive performance of the season.

And, after a 10-day layoff following their Thanksgiving night win over the Bengals, the Jets were anemic offensively in a 45-3 loss to the Patriots.

So in those three games this season that came after layoffs, the Jets were outscored 64-12 and failed to produce a single touchdown on offense.

Clearly, this is playing into Ryan’s thinking for this week. He can’t afford to chance another stinker of an offense performance by resting Sanchez for a week. Sanchez, too, is very much a rhythm player who excels when he is in a groove.

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