Jets vs. Ravens Final Score: Defense Carries New York to 24-16 Win

At the start of the day, Geno Smith was the big story for the Jets. The fourth year quarterback was returning to the starting lineup for the first time since 2014. It did not last long as he left the game in the first half with an injury, never to return. Ryan Fitzpatrick replaced him, but Fitzpatrick was hardly more effective than he had been all season to this point.

It did not matter. The Jets beat the Baltimore Ravens 24-16. For the first time all year, the defense that was supposed to carry this team did. They held Baltimore out of the end zone as the only Ravens touchdown came on a special teams gaffe. In the second half, the Ravens were held off the scoreboard and to only three first downs. The defense also came up with a pair of turnovers to set up the Jets with 10 points they needed to win the game.

It wasn’t pretty. It came against an opponent decimated by injuries. The opponent made several unforced errors.

Know what? A win is a win, and this team really, really needed a win.

Celebrate below. Podcast and written recaps will come later.