Fitz acquits self by rallying Jets as substitute
Fitz Magic returned after Geno Smith’s sequel ended early, and the New York Jets got their first victory in over a month.
In East Rutherford, N.J., Fitzpatrick replaced an injured Smith and led the 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 yesterday that snapped a four-game skid.
“It’s a pretty ironic situation,” Fitzpatrick said.
Fitzpatrick came in for Smith, starting for the first time since 2014, 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 for the Jets, whose last win came at Buffalo on Sept. 15.
“It’s about damn time,” safety Calvin Pryor said.
Smith injured his right knee while taking a sack from Baltimore’s Matthew Judon and will have an MRI.
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.
Joe Flacco started for Baltimore, which had lost four in a row, after being questionable with a sore shoulder. He went a team-record 176 consecutive throws without an interception before Buster Skrine picked him off in the third quarter.
Bengals 31, Browns 17 — A.J. Green’s one-handed catch in the middle of an end zone scrum highlighted host Cincinnati’s day full of big plays as it pulled away to another lopsided win over winless intrastate rival Cleveland.
Green’s 48-yard TD catch on the final play of the first half helped the Bengals regain their footing in the injury-depleted AFC North.
Jeremy Hill had a 74-yard touchdown run as part of his 168-yard effort, the best by a Bengals running back in seven years.
Buccaneers 34, 49ers 17 — Jameis Winston threw three touchdown passes and Jacquizz Rodgers ran for 154 yards to lead Tampa Bay to a victory over San Francisco in Santa Clara, Calif.
The Bucs ran for 249 yards as San Francisco has allowed 562 on the ground the past two weeks to put them on pace to give up the most yards rushing in a season since the 1981 Patriots.
Colts 34, Titans 26 — In Nashville, Tenn., Andrew Luck threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to Jack Doyle with 1:55 left to put Indianapolis ahead to stay as it rallied to beat Tennessee.
For the Colts, it was the 10th straight win against their AFC South rival.
Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri kicked a pair of field goals, and the second, a 33-yarder with 3:46 left in the third quarter gave him an NFL-record 43 consecutive field goals made.
Seahawks 6, Cardinals 6 — Seattle’s Stephen Hauschka (27 yards) and Arizona’s Chandler Catanzaro (24) missed short field goals that would have won the game in overtime and the teams settled for a tie in Glendale, Ariz.
Chiefs 27, Saints 21 — Alex Smith threw two touchdown passes in another efficient outing, Daniel Sorensen returned an interception of Drew Brees for another touchdown and host Kansas City held off mistake-prone New Orleans.
Raiders 33, Jaguars 16 — Latavius Murray scored twice in his return from a turf-toe injury, and visiting Oakland handled listless Jacksonville to give coach Jack Del Rio a victory against his former team.
Lions 20, Redskins 17 — Matthew Stafford threw a go-ahead, 18-yard touchdown pass to Anquan Boldin with 16 seconds left to lift host Detroit against Washington.
Chargers 33, Falcons 30 — Josh Lambo’s 42-yard field goal in overtime gave San Diego its first road win of the year as it rallied from a 17-point deficit to beat host Atlanta.