Giants put away Jets with ease

New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow was sacked by New York Giants defensive end Adewale Ojomo during the second half of their preseason game in East Rutherford, N.J. on Aug. 18.

Associated Press / August 18, 2012

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It didn’t matter if it was Mark Sanchez or Tim Tebow at quarterback. The Jets could do little against the Giants’ relentless defense.

Rookie Jayron Hosley returned an interception of Sanchez 77 yards for a touchdown, and the Giants’ defense stifled the Jets’ starters in a 26-3 preseason victory between the hometown rivals Saturday night in East Rutherford, N.J.

Tebow, making his home debut for the Jets, didn’t fare much better in his six series at quarterback. But he led the Jets to their only points — Josh Brown’s 30-yard field goal. Lawrence Tynes had four field goals for the Giants.

Eli Manning and the Giants starters were mostly quiet, with the Super Bowl MVP going 7 of 14 for 62 yards and an interception.

Sanchez finished 9 of 11 for 59 yards and the costly interception, and was under pressure nearly every play. He was sacked three times, including twice by Jason Pierre-Paul.

‘‘As a defensive line, we were able to get some pressure,’’ Giants defensive end Justin Tuck said. ‘‘And that’s really what we need to do if we want to be a good defense.’’

Hosley apparently hurt his right foot on his game-breaking, second-quarter play and was in a walking boot afterward. The Giants lost linebacker Mark Herzlich (hip) and defensive end Adrian Tracy (hamstring) to injuries in the second half.

The Jets were without injured wide receivers Santonio Holmes, Jeremy Kerley, and Chaz Schilens, and it showed.

Jets coach Rex Ryan joked his team’s offense would be ‘‘vanilla with some sprinkles’’ — and he wasn’t kidding. The Jets started slowly and never really got going.

Tebow came in to a mixed reaction — cheers from Jets fans and boos from the Giants fans in attendance — and appeared to energize the team. He had a shot at his first touchdown on second and 20 from the 29, but short-hopped a pass to a wide-open Stephen Hill in the end zone. The Jets settled for Brown’s field goal that bounced off the right upright and over the crossbar to cut the deficit to 16-3 with 3:26 left in the third quarter.

Surgery for Cardinals’ Brown

Cardinals starting left tackle Levi Brown has a torn right triceps and probably will not play this season. Coach Ken Whisenhunt revealed the extent of the injury at his Saturday news conference, saying the five-year starter will require surgery, with an anticipated recovery time that would approach the end of the season. The 6-foot-6-inch, 324-pound Brown was injured in the first half of Arizona’s 31-27 preseason victory over the Raiders Friday night . . . The day after he was injured in Oakland’s loss, the Raiders announced wide receiver Jacoby Ford will miss some time with a sprained left foot. Coach Dennis Allen didn’t rule out the chance that Ford could play in the season opener Sept. 10 against San Diego . . . Saints linebacker Chris Chamberlain is out for the season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee Friday night against the Jaguars.

More minutes for Manning

Playing the entire first half, Peyton Manning completed 16 of 23 passes for 177 yards, but was intercepted twice as the Broncos lost at home to the Seahawks, 30-10, in a preseason matchup. Manning’s first interception came from the Seattle 9 in the first quarter following a blocked punt by Denver. Broncos wide receiver Andre Caldwell left with a chest injury in the fourth quarter . . . Redskins Pro Bowl linebacker Brian Orakpo (shoulder) and safety Brandon Meriweather (knee) were injured in the first half of Saturday night’s 33-31 preseason loss to the Bears in Chicago. Bears backup safety Brandon Hardin was taken from the field on a cart with a neck injury early in the third quarter. He was moving his hands and gave the thumbs-up sign as he left the field . . . 49ers running back Brandon Jacobs left San Francisco’s 20-9 loss at Houston in the first quarter with a left knee injury. Coach Jim Harbaugh said Jacobs will ‘‘miss a little time,’’ but that his injury isn’t serious . . . In other preseason games Saturday night, host St. Louis beat Kansas City, 31-17; and San Diego defeated visiting Dallas, 28-20 . . . With both Jake Locker and Matt Hasselbeck struggling in the preseason, coach Mike Munchak said the Titans won’t rush their decision on a starting quarterback.