Fitzpatrick solid in relief in Jets' 24-16 win over Ravens

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Ryan Fitzpatrick replaced an injured Geno Smith and led the New York Jets on three scoring drives, and a rejuvenated defense came up with two rare interceptions in a 24-16 comeback victory over the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.

Fitzpatrick came in for Smith in the second quarter and led the Jets on a go-ahead drive capped by a 13-yard touchdown catch by Matt Forte. Fitzpatrick finished 9 of 14 for 120 yards and a touchdown as the Jets (2-5) snapped a four-game losing streak.

Smith injured his right knee while taking a sack from Baltimore's Matthew Judon. Fitzpatrick was efficient after losing his job earlier in the week. Coach Todd Bowles decided to start Smith over Fitzpatrick , who had thrown an NFL-leading 11 interceptions and just five touchdown passes. Smith was 4 of 8 for 95 yards and a TD to Quincy Enunwa.

Justin Tucker put the Ravens (3-4) back up 16-14 as time expired in the first half with his third field goal, a 44-yarder.

Joe Flacco started for Baltimore after being questionable with a sore shoulder . He went a team-record 176 consecutive throws without an interception before Buster Skrine picked off his pass in the third quarter and returned it 51 yards to the Ravens 3.

But the Jets faltered and had to settle for Nick Folk's 22-yard field goal and a 17-16 lead.

The defense made it two possessions in a row with a takeaway -- after coming in with just four all season -- as Marcus Gilchrist picked off Flacco and returned it 27 yards to the Ravens 24.

This time, the Jets cashed in, but not before some hot potato with the football.

On second-and-goal from the 6, Forte ran up the middle for 3 yards and had the ball ripped out of his hands. Timmy Jernigan recovered for Baltimore and tried to advance, but Brandon Marshall stripped the ball and recovered it for the Jets.

Three plays later, Forte ran it in from 1 yard.

Forte finished with 101 yards and a TD on 31 carries and four catches for 54 yards and a score. He also joined Marshall Faulk, Marcus Allen, Thurman Thomas and Herschel Walker as the only players with 8,000 yards rushing, 4,000 yards receiving and 20 TD receptions. With 3:04 left, Folk had a chance to seal the victory, but his 51-yard field goal attempt was blocked by Brandon Williams.

Again, the Jets' defense came up big, with Marcus Williams knocking away Flacco's desperation heave as the Ravens dropped their fourth straight -- and second in a row at MetLife Stadium after losing 27-23 to the Giants last week.

SMITH'S QUICK START

Smith got New York on the board in the first quarter when he tossed a short pass to Enunwa, who motored down the left sideline and outran two Ravens for a 69-yard touchdown. An excited Smith ran all the way down the field to celebrate with Enunwa as fireworks went off at MetLife Stadium.

It was Smith's first touchdown pass since Week 8 of last season at Oakland, when he stepped in for an injured Fitzpatrick. It was also Smith's first start since the 2014 season finale at Miami, where he threw for 358 yards and three TDs while compiling a perfect 158.3 quarterback rating in a 37-14 win.

WHOOPS

Baltimore took a 7-0 lead when rookie Lachlan Edwards, punting on the Jets' first offensive series, had the snap go through his hands. Edwards then couldn't corral the football as Moore recovered and ran it in for 2 yards.

BYRD HONORED

The Jets honored the late Dennis Byrd with a pregame video tribute after he was killed last weekend in a car accident in Oklahoma.

Byrd was an inspiration to many after he overcame brief paralysis and walked again just a few months after injuring his neck during a play in 1992. The defensive lineman, who played for the Jets for four seasons, died in a two-vehicle collision last Saturday. He was 50.

The Jets showed a video tribute after player introductions, and a moment of silence was held before the national anthem. Members of Byrd's immediate family served as honorary captains for the game. Byrd's former teammates and close friends Scott Mersereau, Paul Frase and Marvin Washington also joined the family at midfield for the coin toss.

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