Overcoming Geno Smith‘s injury, Ryan Fitzpatrick and Matt Forte lead the New York Jets to a 24-16 victory over the Baltimore Ravens.
- New York Jets 24 (2-5)
- Baltimore Ravens 16 (3-4)
- NFL, Final, Box Score
- MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
They were vicious, fast, and actually looked like a balanced unit (partly thanks to Muhammad Wilkerson missing the game. This isn’t to blame Big Mo by any means. It’s simply a testament to how a “balanced” defensive line, with speedy edge rushers, is more effective in the league.
Both Sheldon Richardson and Leonard Williams played their natural 3-4 defensive end spots and dominated all day. Richardson picked up a sack and three tackles for a loss while the Jets pressured Baltimore QB Joe Flacco into 248 yards and two interceptions on just 25-of-44 passing.
Buster Skrine came up with one of the biggest plays of the game, while in the 3rd-quarter he undercut an out route and took it within the 5-yard line:
Buster Skrine comes up with a huge one. Leads to a field goal. Jets up 17-16. #JetUp #BALvsNYJ pic.twitter.com/cwYCrIbhsJ
— Elite Sports NY (@EliteSportsNY) October 23, 2016
It led to a Nick Folk field goal that provided New York with a lead, 17-16, that they would not relinquish.
The nail in the coffin came when Brandon Marshall alertly pounced on a loose ball after Matt Forte fumbled near the goalline a couple drives later:
Although he walked it initially, credit Brandon Marshall on this one. It leads to another Forte TD. 24-16 Jets. #JetUp #BALvsNYJ pic.twitter.com/XZqUwVr1pA
— Elite Sports NY (@EliteSportsNY) October 23, 2016
Speaking of Forte, he and the running game were dominant against Baltimore’s front. He finished with 101 yards and two touchdowns on 30 carries. His first TD came on a beautifully executed screen from Ryan Fitzpatrick.
What is going on? The league's worst scoring offense leads the Ravens 14-13. Fitz to Forte. #JetUp #BALvsNYJ pic.twitter.com/8C9MCb8rYt
— Elite Sports NY (@EliteSportsNY) October 23, 2016
And, oh yeah, Fitzpatrick found his way back onto the field thanks to the Jets starting QB for the game, Geno Smith, leaving the game in the first half due to a knee injury. He suffered it on a sack that came outside of the pocket.
While in the game, Smith did some solid things (finishing with 95 yards and a TD on 4-of-8 passing. He hooked up with Quincy Enunwa on this mid-range hook that went for the Jets most prolific offensive play of the season:
Quincy Enunwa, what a play. Geno's strong quality is still there: Hangs tough in the pocket. 10-7 Ravens. #JetUp #BALvsNYJ pic.twitter.com/NBoJrrRIzt
— Elite Sports NY (@EliteSportsNY) October 23, 2016
If not for a couple of drops, Geno would’ve finished with an even better stat-line. Fitz suffered through a pedestrian type game (120 yards, TD, 19-24). It’ll be interesting to see who starts moving forward.
The Jets now improve to 2-5 on the season while the Ravens fall to 3-4. Next up for New York will be the Browns in Cleveland next Sunday.
Game Notes:
Jets center Nick Mangold was rolled up on by Ryan Clady and was forced to leave the game with what appeared to be an ankle injury.
Todd Bowles‘ defense completely shut down the Ravens running game. Terrence West went for only 10 yards on eight carries. Baltimore finished with six rushing yards on the game, 245 in total.
The leading receiver for New York was Enunwa who went for 73 yards and that first score on two total grabs.
