Mark Sanchez is making better memories for himself in an Eagles uniform.

As Mark Sanchez returns to Thanksgiving football as the starting quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles, the nightmare from two years ago still lingers in the background.

Sanchez’s infamous butt fumble was only part of the humiliation as the Jets lost 49-19 to the New England Patriots on Thanksgiving 2012. But it remains the most-recognized play of Sanchez’s career.

Although Sanchez might never fully shake the lowlight, leading the Eagles to championship contention in 2014 could go a long way in rewriting his career arc.

The turnover problem continues to plague Sanchez even after his departure from New York, but the path to a resolution appears much clearer in Philadelphia.

Timing of turnovers saving Sanchez

Sanchez led the Eagles to their lone turnover-free game this season in Week 10 against the Panthers. Philadelphia coasted to a 24-point win that week in large part due to a defense that forced five turnovers.

In each of his other three games, Sanchez has thrown two interceptions, but they have been largely masked by their timing. All six of his interceptions have come when the Eagles had a win probability of at least 79 percent or less than 1 percent. Sanchez has been able to avoid the game-changing turnover. The easiest way to continue that trend could lie in the play calling.

Play action is Sanchez’s new best friend

Mark Sanchez Passing, This Season

Last week, Sanchez used the play-action passing game to perfection. As LeSean McCoy and the Eagles re-established the running game, Sanchez completed 12-of-14 passes off play-action fakes for 124 yards and a touchdown.

Sanchez posted a Total QBR of 99.2 on his play-action dropbacks, easily his best this season (his previous best was 69.5).

Sanchez has been a different quarterback on play-action passes, which works great with the Eagles’ style of offense. Philadelphia has attempted 161 play-action passes this season, by far the most in the league (the Browns are the next closest with 117).

Developing comfort outside the pocket

With Sanchez replacing injured Nick Foles, the biggest addition to the Eagles’ quarterback play may be Sanchez’s mobility.

Eagles Quarterbacks Outside the Pocket,
This Season

Sanchez hasn’t thrown an interception this season when he has rolled outside the pocket, and his Total QBR of 98.2 on those plays would lead all qualified quarterbacks.

Sanchez has replaced a quarterback in Foles who often struggled outside the pocket. Foles completed less than 50 percent of his passes from out of the pocket and had not thrown a touchdown since Week 1 against the Jaguars.

As Sanchez and the Eagles head to Dallas, taking advantage outside the pocket could be a hidden key to success.

This season, the Cowboys have allowed six passing touchdowns to quarterbacks outside the pocket and have made zero interceptions.