FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Mark Sanchez was off in the corner, waiting for his turn at the podium as he watched Rex Ryan conduct his news conference. Ryan called this three-game losing streak the toughest stretch he's experienced in two-plus seasons, and that statement hit home with Sanchez.

"I hate seeing Rex like that," the Jets' QB quarterback said. "It's frustrating."

The frustration started early, as the Jets began with four straight three-and-out possessions against the league's 32nd-ranked defense. The reason is because the Jets were awful on third down.

"I don't know the reason why we came out so slowly," Sanchez said. "We probably had the best week of practice all year this week. Guys were into it, we knew the plays, knew the game plan."

The Jets finished with eight three-and-outs, which is terrible. Their signature moment was a 13-play, 78-yard drive in the second quarter, culminating with Shonn Greene's 3-yard TD run. Sanchez was 4-for-4 on the drives, and Greene ran eight times for 34 yards.

The offense found a rhythm, but lost it again in the second half, when there were four more three-and-outs.

The Jets finished 3-for-11 on third down against a defense that was ranked last -- dead last! -- in third-down efficiency.

"I thought we did some good things, but lacked a little consistency, obviously, and you've got to convert on third down," Ryan said after the 30-21 loss. "That's the difference."

Sanchez finished 16-for-26, for 166 yards, two touchdowns, no turnovers and a 105.6 passer rating -- and he was victimized by at least three drops.

At least that's a positive. Coming off an awful game in Baltimore, Sanchez settled down a bit. His pass protections was better, but there still were some leaks. But at least the quarterback's confidence was damaged worse than it was after Baltimore.