EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Ryan Fitzpatrick still believes in himself, even if the New York Jets decision makers dont.Just five days after being benched, the veteran quarterback came on in relief of an injured Geno Smith and helped lead the Jets on three scoring drives in a 24-16 comeback victory over the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.Pretty ironic situation, Fitzpatrick said.Yes, indeed. Particularly because he didnt know if hed ever get back under center in a game for the Jets this season -- or ever.Fitzpatrick, signed to a one-year, $12 million deal just before training camp began, was efficient after losing his job when coach Todd Bowles decided to start Smith over him .Fitzpatrick, who set a Jets record with 31 TD passes last season, had thrown an NFL-leading 11 interceptions and just five touchdowns in the first six games this season. Bowles was hoping Smith would provide a spark, which he did, going 4 of 8 for 95 yards and a touchdown to Quincy Enunwa.But Smith injured his right knee while taking a sack from Baltimores Matthew Judon in the second quarter and was having an MRI to determine the severity and if he needs to be sidelined.I dont feel like it hurts a ton, said Smith, who spent the second half on the sideline wearing sweats. Honestly, I was begging to go back out there, but I understand theyre doing their jobs.So Fitzpatrick had to step back in and take over as the team leader -- again.I got into the huddle and we almost all had to laugh at the situation and just the irony of it, Fitzpatrick said. Not because Geno got hurt, obviously, but just being thrown back in there.Fitzpatrick came in and led the Jets on a go-ahead drive that was capped by a 13-yard touchdown catch by Matt Forte.I was definitely disappointed to see Geno come in and play well, but then get injured, wide receiver Brandon Marshall said. Im glad we had Fitz on the bench. I definitely feel for Geno.Fitzpatrick finished 9 of 14 for 120 yards and the TD -- and no turnovers -- as the Jets (2-5) snapped a four-game losing streak.The biggest thing in this game, in order to last, is to have belief in yourself, Fitzpatrick said. Because when the owner stops believing in you, the GM stops believing in you and the coaches stop believing in you, sometimes all you have is yourself.So, thats kind of something Ive had to deal with before, something Im dealing with now.When asked if he felt that owner Woody Johnson, general manager Mike Maccagnan and coach Todd Bowles had, in fact, lost belief in him, Fitzpatrick acknowledged he thought that was the case.Yeah, when you get put on the bench, he said, I think thats the reason why.Its no sure thing Fitzpatrick will be the starter again next week at Cleveland, especially as the Jets await the results of Smiths MRI. Bowles would not commit to anything after the game, saying he needed to see what Smiths status was.I dont know what decision theyre going to make or what Genos health is going to be like, Fitzpatrick said, but, yeah, I think I should start every week.Fitzpatrick and the offense also were boosted by a rejuvenated defense that came up with two rare interceptions against the Ravens (3-4) and set a franchise mark by holding them to 6 yards rushing.The turnovers hurt, Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco said, but we just didnt do anything.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 Folks 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.Three plays after a wild sequence in which Forte fumbled, Timmy Jernigan recovered for Baltimore and then Marshall stripped the ball and recovered it for the Jets, Forte ran it in from 1 yard.I probably play better as an underdog, (ticked) off, Fitzpatrick said. And so going forward, yeah, Ill be (ticked) off.---AP NFL website:
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www.twitter.com/AP-NFL . With their top three point guards and Kobe Bryant all sidelined by injury, the Lakers signed Marshall out of the D-League on Friday before their home game against Minnesota. . Clarke was injured while practicing on the Doha Golf Club range after the pro-am on Tuesday. The Northern Irishman arrived at the course on Wednesday hoping to start, but after hitting a few balls on the practice putting green Clarke advised officials he was not fit to play. . -- Anaheim Ducks defenceman Luca Sbisa will be out at least six weeks with a torn tendon in his right hand. .ca NFL Power Rankings, overtaking the Denver Broncos and remaining ahead of NFC competition San Francisco, Carolina and New Orleans. . Durant finished with 24 points and 13 rebounds, Jackson matched his career high with 23 points on 10-of-14 shooting and Lamb scored 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting, lifting the Thunder to a 94-88 win over San Antonio and snapping the Spurs 11-game winning streak. ATHENS, Ga. -- The championship mandate for new Georgia coach Kirby Smart could not be clearer.Mark Richts firing despite a school-record .740 winning percentage left no question about Georgias goal of glory. Averaging almost 10 wins per season was not sufficient when his era ended with a 10-year title drought.Richt closed his 15-year run trailing only Vince Dooley on the list of most wins at the school. Richt took Georgia to the Southeastern Conference title game in one-third of those 15 seasons, but he won only two -- none since 2005. Richt, now Miamis coach, never claimed a national title.Georgia athletic director Greg McGarity chose Smart, the former Alabama defensive coordinator and former Georgia player and assistant, as the man who can bring the Bulldogs their first national championship since 1980.Smart must pick a quarterback to lead the way.Freshman Jacob Eason, the biggest prize in Smarts first recruiting class, should eventually take over at quarterback. Eason (6-foot-5, 211 pounds) has size, a powerful throwing arm and an impressive list of national high school player or back of the year awards.Eason enrolled early for spring practice but couldnt immediately win the job over returning starter Greyson Lambert, the Virginia transfer, or junior Brice Ramsey. That three-way race continued through the start of preseason practice.Smart has kept a close eye on top tailbacks Nick Chubb and Sony Michel as they recover from left knee and left forearm injuries, respectively. Chubb has practiced with no limitations and could be cleared for the opener against North Carolina.Here are some things to watch:CHUBB WATCH: Chubb had 747 yards rushing with seven TDs when he tore all the ligaments except the ACL in his left knee on the first play of the sixth game againnst Tennessee last season.dddddddddddd Chubb was the 2014 SEC freshman of the year, when he ran for 1,546 yards and 14 TDs.Offensive coordinator Jim Chaney said Chubb looks strong in his comeback.I see Nick Chubb as being the player he has been before and hope he can continue to do so, Chaney said. I mean, hes a downhill running son of a gun, so lets hand him the ball and see what he can get done.SMART ON DEFENSE: Smart is working closely with defensive coordinator Mel Tucker.Its not Mels defense. Its not Kirbys defense, Smart said. Its UGAs defense. ... We wont be taking credit as coordinator. We wont be taking credit as head coach. Nor will we be getting blamed should things not go well one game. But Ill be spending the majority of my time on the defense, because thats where I feel like I can be the biggest asset.SEASON OPENER: There will be a big-game atmosphere when Georgia opens in the Georgia Dome against North Carolina, which is coming off an 11-win season. It will be Georgias first opener in Atlanta since 2011.KEY GAMES: Tennessee, the choice at SEC media days to win the SEC East, visits on Oct. 1. The Bulldogs play at South Carolina the following week and face Florida in another division matchup on Oct. 29 in Jacksonville.Georgia will face Auburn on Nov. 12 in the first of three straight home games to close the regular season, including a visit from Georgia Tech on Nov. 26.PREDICTION: Georgia will fall short of winning the East in Smarts first season, especially with the uncertainty at quarterback, but should finish in the top three of the division at 9-3 overall.---AP college football website:
http://collegefootball.ap.org ' ' '
