EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The New York Jets spent all week talking the talk. On Sunday, they walked the walk.

The Jets weathered the storm in the first half, surviving a feeble effort by their offense with a stout defensive effort that forced the Patriots -- who dominated the stat sheet in the first two quarters -- to settle for field goals rather than touchdowns. That New England reached halftime with only a 9-3 lead had to be encouraging for New York, which could have trailed by much, much more.

And then, in the second half, the Jets and their rookie quarterback, Mark Sanchez, backed up all the brash pronouncements of the last six days.

They scored 13 points on their first three possessions of the half as their defense pressured, harrassed and shut down Tom Brady and the Patriots offense. The result was a 16-9 victory that may have not been the embarrassment Jets safety Kerry Rhodes vowed his team would hang on New England, but was impressive nonetheless.

It was the Jets' first victory over the Patriots at Giants Stadium since 2000. It was also the first time the Patriots failed to score an offensive touchdown in a game since a shutout loss in Miami in December, 2006.

More to come . . .