FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Five weeks ago, the New York Jets beat the Miami Dolphins with a little bit of luck and a lot of Santonio Holmes, who delivered one of the team's best receiving performances in recent memory.

"Sanchez-Holmes football," Holmes crowed after the game.

Mark Sanchez won't have Santonio Holmes to throw to against the Dolphins this time. That may not be so bad a thing. Marc Serota/Getty Images

Since then, the Jets have changed their Tone.

Holmes is gone, recovering from season-ending foot surgery. Without their most accomplished receiver, the Jets were supposed to be toast, but they actually could be better?

Yes, better.

It sounds like a preposterous concept, but Mark Sanchez, no longer reliant on one receiver, is seeing the field better than before, according to teammates. He's finding the open receiver more often, they said, perhaps because he longer feels a sense of obligation to throw it to the resident diva, Holmes -- open or not. He's trusting others because well, he has no choice.

It's no coincidence his completion percentage has improved from 49 percent to 53 percent over the last three games.

New England Patriots cornerback Devin McCourty told NFL.com last week that Sanchez is "a little tougher now that Holmes is gone." The Jets' passing attack is healthier and more balanced without Holmes, who, frankly, is overrated. Oh, they miss his ability in the clutch -- see the Miami win -- but you get the feeling that Sanchez isn't crying over the loss of Holmes.

"I wouldn't say one's easier or harder," said Sanchez, comparing a Holmes-led receiving corps to a Holmes-less corps. "I feel confident either way, it doesn't matter to me. I love having Tone in there. I love playing with these guys. That doesn't matter."

Sunday will be a good test for Sanchez & Co. The Dolphins will be in town for a huge game -- pass the hot sauce, please -- and now we'll see if the Jets can pull off the sweep without their $9 million-a-year receiver.

They lose nine catches for 147 yards, Holmes' production that day in Miami -- his first 100-yard game in nearly two years. But they gain diversity.

Jeremy Kerley, coming off a career game, is establishing himself as one of the rising talents in the league. Rookie Stephen Hill, his killer drop notwithstanding, is improving every week. Tight end Dustin Keller, finally healthy after a month-long hamstring battle, is back to being Sanchez's go-to guy over the middle.