Ryan Fitzpatrick replaces injured Geno Smith, guides Jets past Ravens

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Less than a week ago, Ryan Fitzpatrick thought his New York Jets career was probably over.

The 33-year-old lost his starting job to Geno Smith after a disastrous start to the season. And there was no reason to think Fitzpatrick would get it back.

But on Sunday, Smith was injured and it was Fitzpatrick who helped his team to its first win in more than a month.

It’s just another chapter in this bizarre Jets season.

The Jets snapped their four-game losing streak, beating the Baltimore Ravens 24-16.

On Wednesday, Smith was given the nod for his first start since December of 2014 after Fitzpatrick and the Jets struggled to a 1-5 start. He played and played well for the most part, going 4-of-8 for 95 yards and a touchdown.

But he didn’t make it to halftime, injuring his knee while being sacked by Ravens linebacker Matthew Judon late in the first half. He watched the second half from the bench in street clothes.

And so with 4:34 remaining in the second quarter and the Jets trailing 13-7, Fitzpatrick jogged onto the field to take his position under center. There was a smattering of boos.

But Fitzpatrick quickly marched the Jets down the field, finding Matt Forte for a 13-yard touchdown pass. He finished 9-of-14 for 120 yards and a touchdown.

Meanwhile, the Jets defense overcame a rough day from special teams, not allowing a single touchdown and forcing two turnovers. New York held Baltimore to six yards rushing on the day.

It wasn’t pretty — especially considering how severely shorthanded the Ravens are, playing without standout linebackers C.J. Mosley, Elvis Dumervil and Terrell Suggs — but it was the Jets' first win since Sept. 15.

Eli Apple's mom criticizes Giants owner John Mara for abuse remarks in letter

It started out horribly for the Jets.

With 9:45 remaining in the first quarter, punter Lachlan Edwards missed a snap that hit him right in the hands. He recovered but fumbled again into the end zone. Chris Moore picked it up in the end zone to give the Ravens a 7-0 lead.

Later in the first quarter, the Jets secondary surrendered a 53-yard pass on the first play of the drive. It set up a field goal that put the Jets in a 10-0 hole at the end of the first quarter.

But in the second, the Jets got a much needed spark from Quincy Enunwa. The receiver caught a short pass from Smith, made a move to break free from a crowded defense, and motored 69 yards for a touchdown.

It was the Jets’ first touchdown since the second quarter of their Week 5 loss to Pittsburgh.

Suddenly, training only 10-7, they were back in the game.

Fitzpatrick helped them take the 14-13 lead before halftime.

It's time for Rams to bench Case Keenum and play rookie Jared Goff

But in the third quarter, trailing 16-14, it was the defense that gave the Jets the final push they needed.

Buster Skrine intercepted a Joe Flacco pass and returned it 51 yards inside the Jets’ 5-yard line. The Jets had to settle for a field goal on that drive, taking a 17-16 lead with 5:07 left in the third.

But on the next drive, Marcus Gilchirst intercepted Flacco again, giving the Jets possession just outside the red zone.

It nearly went disastrously wrong. Forte fumbled while trying to run into the end zone and the ball was recovered by the Ravens’ Timmy Jernigan, who tried to run downfield. But Brandon Marshall stripped Jernigan and recovered the ball at the Ravens’ 5-yard line. Marshall had saved the Jets from disaster.

A few moments later, Forte scored on a one-yard touchdown to give the Jets a 24-16 lead. It was their first rushing touchdown since Week 2 — soon it would be their first win since then, too.

Andy Vasquez writes for The Bergen Record, part of the USA TODAY Network.

GALLERY: BEST OF WEEK 7 AROUND THE NFL