So obviously that wasn’t the Jets’ best game. Mark Sanchez threw a couple of interceptions and tried to throw a couple more, the Broncos’ purportedly porous run defense stymied the Jets’ lauded rushing attack, and Gang Green eked out a win thanks to a well-timed penalty on a desperate pass.

Here’s the good news though: The Jets still won. Some have said the win is a testament to their grit and fortitude, and though I don’t think those qualities are nearly as overrated in football as they are in baseball, I suspect the win speaks more to the Jets’ talent than their toughness — though in football sometimes it’s difficult to distinguish between the two.

The Jets won, sure, in-part because of the penalty, but also because they were good enough to stay in the game despite being outplayed for most of it.

Their defense was good enough to contain the Broncos’ high-flying offense. Antonio Cromartie played another spectacular game, and Darrelle Revis — even with his hamstring at 90%, by his account — looked a lot more like Darrelle Revis. They looked good even on the few plays they got beat; take 34 shots at NFL receivers, even in tight coverage, and you’re bound to connect on a few.

And their offense was good enough to move the ball despite Sanchez’s youthful hiccups. Though it appeared the Broncos came in prepared for the running game, the Jets’ o-line manhandled the Denver pass rush and appeared to give Sanchez plenty of time to work through his post-interception tentativeness. Plus Brian Schottenheimer made good use of the fancy stuff.

The Jets proved good enough to win even in a game they played poorly, and when a bunch of things didn’t fall their way. They head into their bye week with the best record in football, likely salivating at the thought of a Week 8 matchup at home against a banged-up Packers team that looked very lucky to stay with the Dolphins so long on Sunday.

So chin up, Mark Sanchez. The Jets are looking awfully handsome these days.