Mark Sanchez, the Jets quarterback was out for the first snap of the 2012 regular season and Tim Tebow was on the field as well.
Tebow fans were thrilled to see their favorite backup quarterback on the field for nine plays on offense, including two in the wildcat package as the Jets beat the Buffalo Bills 48-28.
Bill Kostroun/Associated Press - New York Jets quarterbacks Mark Sanchez, left, and Tim Tebow celebrate after a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in East Rutherford, N.J.
Sanchez threw incomplete to rookie Stephen Hill on the other side. Tebow made his debut as the guy receiving a snap on the Jets’ fourth offensive play, following a first down throw to Hill. He handed off to running back Joe McKnight for a short gain, the play was a simple hand off.
“It was fun,” Tebow said of his Jets debut. “To be a part of a win like this is exciting.”
The first wildcat formation came as Tebow lined up in the shotgun with Sanchez as a receiver. Tebow handed off to Joe McKnight for a gain of 3 yards.
Tebow’s biggest play actually came late in the game on special teams, when he recovered an onside kick late in the fourth quarter and ended a late surge by the Bills. It was the first time he recovered a kick, he said, since his freshman year at the University of Florida against Vanderbilt.
There has been a little concern about how Sanchez would react having to come off the field at times while Tebow did his thing. Sanchez said “ I bought in” and just want to win.
Sanchez threw for three touchdowns.
