Monday

The Daily Mark Sanchez to Canton Watch: Going back to Cali

One prediction we’re sure will come true in these go-figure AFC playoffs: There won’t be any hot dogs on the New York Jets’ sidelines at Qualcomm Stadium on Sunday.

The last time Mark Sanchez and the Jets played in his home state, wienergate ensued in Oakland Alameda County Stadium. The kid won’t be caught eating on the sideline, although I’m sure he won’t mind if the Jets are up by more than five TDs, as they were when they blanked the Raiders 38-0 on October 25, and he can kick back.

More than likely, this division playoff round game will be a grueling test for both teams. The Jets learned they would travel to San Diego after the Ravens upset the Patriots and advanced to face the top-seeded Colts on Saturday. The Jets are a 7.5-point underdog against the point spread for Sunday’s game (4:30 p.m. ET, CBS, over/under 42.5).

The Chargers have won 11 in a row and some in San Diego feel facing the Jets could provide a bookend to the misery their team has faced in the postseason. In 2004, Nate Kaeding missed a 40-yard field goal that would have sent the Chargers into the divisional round. The Jets won and a series of disappoints faced the Bolts in subsequent postseasons. Kaeding has rebounded to become the most accurate kicker in NFL history.

But Sanchez is hoping to push the Jets into the Championship Sunday on January 24. He became the fourth rookie QB since 1950 to win a playoff game when he led the Jets over the Bengals on Saturday. Now, the Jets’ No. 1 rushing attack takes on a team with the 20th-ranked run defense in the league.

Sanchez was clearly feeling good. During his press conference, he was asked about his former college coach, Pete Carroll, who is apparently leaving USC to take the coaching job with the Seattle Seahawks. Sanchez joked that he “just wanted everybody to know I completely disagree with his decision. Statistics show that it’s not a good choice.”

When Sanchez chose to leave the Trojans early to enter the NFL Draft, Carroll derided the move saying the kid wasn’t ready. Sanchez on Sunday quickly made it clear he was playing around.

“No I’m just kidding,” he said. “I talked to coach a bunch, I told him I was gonna hammer him about it, but I wish him the best whatever happens, whether he stays in school or not.”

Bet on NFL Playoffs!
Touchdown with BetUS.com Sportsbook the chosen NFL football betting destination.

*The DMSTCW forecasts Mark Sanchez will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2030 after an 18-year career during which he will accumulate: 111,186 passing yards (he was born on November 11, 1986); 6 Super Bowl championships (to go along with his uniform number); $1 billion in endorsements (including several deals involving teeth-whitening products); 11,550 panties (same numbers as the zip code of the Jets’ headquarters in Hempstead, New York, which incidentally, will be renamed Sanchezstead upon his retirement); enough pats on the behind from Fireman Ed to make him feel uncomfortable; and 1 kiss from Suzy Kolber (willingly given).