Mark Sanchez needs to win QB duel with Tom Brady

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Ryan Fitzpatrick did it in Week 3. Ben Roethlisberger in Week 8. And Eli Manning did it just last week.

In all three of the New England Patriots' losses this season, the opposing quarterback has equaled or outplayed uber-quarterback Tom Brady. Does the Jets' Mark Sanchez think he can be the next quarterback to do so?

"It's always going to take a good game out of the quarterback to beat that team and that defense," Sanchez said Wednesday. "It doesn't mean you have to go out there and make a spectacular play. You just have to understand the situation."

Sanchez, in his third season, is still experiencing an erratic adolescence, showing great signs of maturity one moment and great signs of regression the next. A good game Sunday night against Brady and the Patriots, with whom the Jets (5-3) are tied for first along with the Bills in the AFC East, could be his seminal coming-of-age moment.

Although Brady isn't having the kind of season that approaches his MVP performance in 2010, he is still one of the top quarterbacks in the league. In fact, Jets coach Rex Ryan believes Brady is the top healthy signal caller.

"The guy's a tremendous quarterback," Ryan said. "Clearly, without Peyton Manning playing, I'd say he's the best quarterback in the league right now."

He certainly wasn't the best quarterback in the Giants' 24-20 win in New England on Sunday. Manning marched the Giants 80 yards in their final drive, which ended when he hit tight end Jake Ballard with a game-winning 1-yard touchdown pass with 15 seconds left.

"Eli's drive was awesome. It was one of the best drives you've seen by a quarterback this season," Sanchez said. "He did the little things right. He took the underneath routes when he could . . . When it comes down to the last drive or just being accurate all game, that's what it takes to beat them."

Sanchez says he doesn't see the game in terms of Mark Sanchez versus Tom Brady. But he does believe that he needs to play well for the Jets to have a chance to win. Of course, one sure way for Sanchez to outplay Brady is for the Jets' defense to contain the Patriots' quarterback.

Brady has 10 interceptions, six more than he threw last season. He has never thrown more than 14 in a season, and the Jets' defense would like to push him closer to that total.

"He's tough," nickelback Kyle Wilson said. "When he's in the pocket, when he has time to throw, there's no doubt about it. He's the best quarterback in the league."

Sometimes, however, he's just not the best quarterback on the field.

Just ask the Steelers, the Bills and the Giants.