Getty Former New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez in 2011.
When the universe provides you with an unexpected win, you take it graciously.
That’s what former New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez did in Week 3 of the 2022 NFL season — when his infamous “butt fumble” was finally laid to rest. In case you missed it, Ex-Jets and Saints punter Thomas Morstead had an unfortunate viral moment of his own with the division rival Miami Dolphins in Week 3.
Punting out of the back of his own end zone, Morstead drilled the football right into the rear-end of teammate Trent Sherfield, yielding a safety that almost lost Miami the game. Fortunately for the Fins, they held on against Buffalo, but the video clip made rounds on social media nonetheless.
The BUTTPUNT, in extreme slow motion.
🎵: The Sundays
Mark Sanchez Reacts to Miami Dolphins’ Butt Punt
After the punt took place, Sanchez was all over it on Twitter, marking his territory with a well-timed joke. “Woah… stay out of my lane bro @thomasmorstead,” the ex-Jets QB commented with a silly-faced emoji.
The next day, Sanchez finally claimed sweet vindication from one of the worst moments of his football career. “Victory Monday,” he tweeted — a joyous occasion indeed.
Morstead elected not to comment on the gaffe but to his credit, Sherfield had some fun with his part in the 2022 butt punt. “My cheeks have a big W tatted on them,” he proclaimed after the victory and the 3-0 start.
My cheeks have a big W tatted on them 😁
The toilet paper company, Charmin, also publicly reached out to Sherfield with the message: “Those cheeks are going to need something soft. Check your DM’s.”
“I’m commercial ready whenever you guys are…” Sherfield responded.
Looks like you’re off the hook, Mark!
Jets Have Work Cut out for Them in AFC East
The butt punt clip is funny and all but Jets fans would prefer victory Mondays on the gridiron. Their 1-2 start currently sets them two games back of the red-hot undefeated Dolphins, who lead a formidable AFC East division over the Buffalo Bills (2-1) and company.
The New England Patriots are tied with the Jets at one win after losing to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 3. The long-time juggernaut of the division also suffered some troubling news after quarterback Mac Jones left the game with what was later revealed to be a high ankle sprain that has been reported as “pretty severe.”
Jones is expected to miss some time, leaving the door open for the Jets to get themselves out of the AFC East cellar. Gang Green has their first divisional game in Week 5, against Miami.
They don’t play the Patriots until Week 8 on Halloween weekend — followed by the Bills in Week 9. It’s unclear if Jones will be back in time for the home outing against the Jets.
Either way, this is set up to be another tough quest for a division title. The Green & White have not won the AFC East since 2002, and this season would extend that drought to two decades.
Even worse, it’s hard to see if there is an end in sight. The Pats dynasty may have fallen but now the Bills and Dolphins have turned into AFC powerhouses of their own.
That’s what makes Zach Wilson so important. It won’t be easy to beat the Josh Allens — and potentially, Tua Tagovailoas — of the league with any old quarterback. The Jets need a superstar of their own.
Wilson has the talent to become that but he needs to stay healthy and eliminate the mistakes, just like Allen and Tagovailoa have done over the past couple of years.