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HOUSTON - So much for rookie jitters.

Playing like a poised veteran, Mark Sanchez passed for 272 yards and a touchdown as the Jets opened the Rex Ryan era with a 24-7 victory over the Texans Sunday at Reliant Stadium.

This was exactly how Ryan drew it up. His defense was absolutely dominant, holding the overmatched Texans to 183 total yards, and his rookie quarterback was efficient and clutch.

Sanchez, the first rookie quarterback in team history to start on opening day, made several huge throws on third down, including a 30-yard scoring pass to Chansi Stuckey in the second quarter.

Without a consistent running game early in the game, the Jets had to rely on Sanchez more than they wanted to. He suffered his first bad moment in the fourth quarter, throwing an interception that became a touchdown for the Texans. The total play went for 62 yards, an interception by John Busing and a 48-yard fumble return by Dominique Barber.

That cut the Jets' lead to 17-7 with 12:18 left in the game. The Jets were dazed, but not for long.

On the ensuing drive, Sanchez hit Dustin Keller for 40 yards - another third-down conversion - and Thomas Jones scored on a 38-yard run, icing the game.

Sanchez finished the day with 18 completions and 31 attempts. He wasn't sacked.

The Jets' receiving corps had a big day, with Keller, Stuckey and Jerricho Cotchery combining for 14 catches and 248 yards. After a slow start, Jones finished with 107 yards and two touchdowns.

Sanchez led two scoring drives in the first half, giving the Jets a 10-0 lead. Jay Feely made it 3-0 with a 24-yard field goal, and Sanchez hit Stuckey for a 30-yard touchdown.

Stuckey was wide open, thanks to a blown coverage in the Texans' secondary. It came on third down, which was fitting. Sanchez & Co. dominated on third down in the first half.

Ryan's ballyhooed defense lived up to his billing, dominating the high-powered Texans. They rattled quarterback Matt Schaub early in the game, knocking the Texans off their game.

The biggest defensive play was delivered by nickel back Donald Strickland, who snuffed out a potential Houston scoring driving by jarring the ball loose from receiver Steve Slaton at the Jets' 15. The ball popped into the air and was grabbed by Mike DeVito, who lumbered for seven yards.

That set up the Sanchez-to-Stuckey touchdown.

The Jets came out on fire in the third quarter with an 87-yard touchdown drive that ate up 7:25 minutes. Sanchez was 4 for 4 on the drive, and Jones finished it off, scoring easily on a 1-yard run.

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