Mark Sanchez
Mark Sanchez After coming in with seconds left in the first quarter of the Jets preseason game against the Rams and playing very well, rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez will get his first career start against Ray Lewis and the Baltimore Ravens.

Sanchez came into the 23-20 loss and threw a 48-yard pass to David Clowney on his opening play. He completed three of four passes for 88 yards in one series that was capped by Thomas Jones' 1-yard touchdown dive.

"When Mark came in, he looked like he's been looking in practice," said Jets head coach Rex Ryan. "He stepped in and it wasn't too big for him."

Sanchez has now moved ahead of veteran Kellen Clemens in their quarterback competition with an eight-play, 93-yard touchdown march in his lone series
on Friday at Giants Stadium. He can deliver the knockout punch against Baltimore.

"Mark is a very talented player," Clemens said. "I'm in a competition with a guy who obviously has some pretty serious ability. My job is to go out, get completions and make good decisions. Who starts is out of my control."

Clemens was 4 of 4 for 24 yards. He was sacked once and lost a fumble, in two series.

Even though Sanchez will start against Baltimore, the competition in New York is far from over. How the quarterbacks perform against the Ravens could go a long way in helping Ryan make that determination.

"Well, yeah, if you do anything against that bunch, you could move it against anybody," Ryan said. "Baltimore and Pittsburgh have been the best defenses in this league for a long time."