EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Rex Ryan sent a message to the fans. His New York Jets delivered one of their own.

Rookie Mark Sanchez outplayed a Super Bowl champion quarterback and the Jets backed up their big talk, shutting down Tom Brady and the New England Patriots, 16-9, yesterday.

"We believe that we are the better team today," Ryan said. "We went out and showed it. I think our fans are huge in this victory."

So huge, in fact, that Ryan said he was giving the fans a game ball that would be placed in the team's trophy case.

"I thought they were the difference," Ryan said.

The victory was the first for the Jets (2-0) over Brady at home, and the first over the Patriots (1-1) at the Meadowlands since 2000. And, it came after a week during which Ryan reiterated his offseason comments that he didn't come to "kiss Bill Belichick's rings" and sent a voicemail to season ticket holders, urging them to be loud.

The fans clearly answered the call, causing a tough time for the Patriots' offense all game. Brady was forced into consecutive delay of game penalties in the third quarter.

"I've got to do a better job," Brady said. "They don't come up very often, but when they do, they hurt. And they hurt us today."

Ryan also said the Patriots had the better coach and quarterback coming in.

Hold on, Rex. Don't sell yourself short.

"The big deal is, we're a football team that should be respected," Ryan said. "Sometimes we talk a little bit, but only because we have confidence in our football team."

Sanchez came out throwing in the second half after a quiet first two quarters and connected with Dustin Keller on a go-ahead touchdown, and the Jets' defense clamped down on the Patriots.

Brady had a chance to tie it, getting the ball at the Patriots 10 with 1:48 left, but the Jets' defense stopped him as Dwight Lowery knocked away a pass to Joey Galloway on fourth down.

Brady was unable to engineer his 30th comeback victory as Sanchez took a knee twice to seal the win.

Sanchez finished 14 of 22 for 163 yards and the touchdown to Keller, while Brady was 23 of 47 for 216 yards and an interception.

"We just needed to relax and find our game," Sanchez said. "As soon as we do, we are going to get this thing started and rolling, and that's what we did."