NEW ORLEANS — A new start with the New Orleans Saints has put "the shake" back in 33-year-old Darren Sharper.

The NFL's active leader in career interceptions added two more against rookie Mark Sanchez, returning one a club-record 99 yards for a touchdown yesterday to help the unbeaten Saints hand the New York Jets their first loss of the season, 24-10.

Sharper's trademark shoulder-shaking celebrations are becoming a symbol of a defense that can now take credit for leading New Orleans to victory after taking the blame for the Saints' failure to make the playoffs the past two seasons.

The 12-year veteran's five interceptions — two of which he has returned for scores — have helped the Saints start 4-0 for the first time since 1993.

"Sharp's been a great addition," Saints quarterback Drew Brees said. "You look at his productivity here over the first four games ... that's pretty impressive."

Brees added: "The defense played outstanding once again."

New York (3-1) stopped the Saints twice on fourth-and-short and held Brees to 190 yards passing and no touchdowns. After averaging 40 points through their first three games, the Saints didn't score an offensive touchdown until Pierre Thomas barreled in from a yard out with 6:07 left. Yet that was enough for two-touchdown win.

"The Saints outplayed us today," Jets coach Rex Ryan said. "They forced a lot of turnovers and scored with them. You've got to give them a lot of credit. They ran the ball pretty effectively against us as well."

Thomas rushed for 86 yards and caught four short passes for 46 yards for New Orleans. The Saints rushed for 153 yards as a team.

In his first loss as a pro, Sanchez completed 14 of 27 passes for 138 yards, which still might have been enough if not for his four turnovers.

Sanchez had driven the Jets impressively to the Saints' 15 early in the second quarter when Sharper anticipated an attempted touchdown pass, picking it off at the 1 and easily running it back for his second long touchdown return of the season to make it 10-0.

"When I caught it, I kind of stopped and just started running real slow because I wanted to see what was around me," Sharper said. "Then I said, 'Why don't I turn on the speed a little bit to show people I can still run.' "