It took until Week 13 but Mark Sanchez finally played badly enough to earn the ire of head coach Rex Ryan, who benched the troubled Jets quarterback during New York’s 7-6 home victory over the Arizona Cardinals.

Sanchez’s dreadful performance included a 10 of 21 effort for 97 yards and three interceptions.

Ryan tapped little-used Greg McElroy to relieve Sanchez, due to a rib injury that caused normal backup Tim Tebow to miss Sunday’s game.

McElroy’s first significant NFL action led to his first touchdown pass as a pro, courtesy of receiver Jeff Cumberland.

The touchdown toss turned out to be the game’s decisive score in New York’s one-point win.

Following the game, Ryan told the media he thought it was time and that benching Sanchez was in the team’s best interest.

However, he was non-committal on who would be under center for the Jets next week.

It shouldn’t be Sanchez or Tebow.

Rex should give the keys over to McElroy. He has nothing to lose at this point.