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One of the biggest match-ups this weekend is Mark Sanchez vs. a weak Indianapolis Colts' secondary. While the New York Jets have already played against some of the best pass defenses in the league, including the Pittsburgh Steelers, San Francisco 49ers, Houston Texans, the Colts have the 15th ranked pass defense.
With a weakened pass rush as well (Robert Mathis is out and Dwight Freeney has been hobbled with injury), Sanchez has the opportunity to right the ship and quiet his critics with a strong performance. The Colts' big trade for Miami Dolphins CB Vontae Davis has blown up in smoke, and none of their other cornerbacks are exactly premier talents (Josh Gordy, Jerraud Powers). They struggled to cover Randall Cobb of the Green Bay Packers, and Jeremy Kerley is a similar type of player.
Sanchez is going to need a ~60% completion percentage, at the very least, to quiet his doubters. With Stephen Hill and Dustin Keller likely to return, Sanchez is going to need to find his weapons early, and often. It will be up to his admittedly questionable receivers to get open and give Sanchez outlets to throw. Without a strong performance against this weaker secondary, it may be Tebow Time soon, for better or for worse.