EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Mark Sanchez was sharp, while Eli Manning needed stitches.

Manning was forced to leave the New York Giants' 31-16 victory over the Jets after suffering a bloody, 3-inch gash to the left side of his head early in the second quarter Monday night.

The Giants' quarterback needed 12 stitches to close the cut but showed no sign of concussion after being hurt with 10:45 left in the first half.

Sanchez led the Jets on three scoring drives, overcoming an interception on his first pass, while playing the entire first half in the first football game played at the New Meadowlands Stadium.

The teams traditionally meet in the third game of the preseason, but both wanted to be part of the unveiling of their new $1.6 billion, 82,500-seat home.

Manning was replaced by Jim Sorgi, who backed up Eli's brother, Peyton, in Indianapolis for the past few seasons. Sorgi filled in nicely, throwing 64- and 34-yard touchdown passes to rookie Victor Cruz, who also caught a 5-yarder from Rhett Bomar for the final TD.

Sanchez showed no signs of being tentative in his first game since having the patella-stabilizing ligament in his left knee repaired in February. He was 13 for 17 for 119 yards, including a 4-yard touchdown pass to Brad Smith in the first quarter that tied it at 7.