The most bizarre play in the Jets’ 24-16 win over the Ravens also might have been its most important. In a roller-coaster 17 seconds that included two turnovers off a single snap, Gang Green coughed up a chance to put the game away and then got it back courtesy of savvy Brandon Marshall.
The Jets were looking to cash in on Marcus Gilchrist’s third-quarter interception and had driven to the Baltimore 6. Matt Forte took a run up the middle only to have the ball stripped by Lawrence Guy. Ravens defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan scooped it up in the end zone and tried to run it back. An alert Marshall saved the day when he saw the defensive tackle trying to make a big play.
“I saw the guy running out of the end zone and I had an opportunity to get it out so stuck my hand in there and it came out,” Marshall said.
Marshall then fell on the loose ball to give the Jets back the ball at the 5. Three plays later Forte took it in from 1 yard out for a touchdown and the 24-16 lead.
“I was in the moment,” Marshall said. “I was trying to figure out a solution. It’s an important possession with us down there. You try to make whatever play you can to get the ball back.”
It’s not the first time for Marshall. On an interception in last season’s opener against Cleveland, he wrested the ball away to get possession back for the Jets.
Baltimore coach John Harbaugh said of the play “it was the difference in the game.”
“You’ve got to stay in the end zone there and he knows that — that’s not one where you bring it out. You’re not a ball-carrier,” Harbaugh said. “We [would be] going for a field goal at the end and not a touchdown. Those are the kind of things that are costing us games and those are the kind of things that have to stop.”
Jernigan had clearly gotten an earful from Harbaugh when he said “from now on I don’t care if I have 100 yards in front of me with no one in front of me. I’ll fall on the ball just to make everybody happy.”
Forte hadn’t fumbled this season.
“Somebody swiped there … and it came out,” Forte said. “Luckily Brandon — who is notorious for getting the ball back after things like that — got the ball back for us. It was a huge play in the game, a huge turning point.”
“Anytime I get the opportunity to be around a ball, whether it’s an interception or a fumble where the other team recovers it, I’m always looking to do that. I’m just happy I was able to get it out.”