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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- It was representative of such a
sloppy game in wet conditions that the guy who scored the only
touchdown botched his spike attempt.
Of course, Jeff Hartings is a guard, and the only reason he had
the ball in the end zone Sunday was because he recovered James
Stewart's fumble. That was enough for the Detroit Lions to edge the
New York Jets 10-7.
|  | | The Lions' win over the Jets kept their playoff hopes alive, and will need to win next week when they host the Bears. |
Detroit (9-6) kept its postseason hopes alive and severely
damaged those of the Jets (9-6). The Lions, who beat the other
Meadowlands tenant, the Giants, 31-21 a month ago, rode Stewart's
career-best 164 yards rushing and some timely takeaways.
Stewart fumbled while diving toward the end zone from the New
York 1 with 5:43 to go. But Hartings dived on the loose ball for
the first touchdown of his five-year career.
"I wish there was a last time," he said of his personal
scoring memories. "It will probably be the only time. I had a lot
of touchdowns in the backyard with my brothers."
None meant as much, however. Hartings even attempted a
celebratory dance. It, too, was sloppy.
"That was pure adrenaline," he said. "Offensive linemen don't
get touchdowns, don't think about touchdowns. We just think about
getting touchdowns for the other guys and letting them dance."
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TOM DONAHOE'S BREAKDOWN |
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Question on the Lions: Are the Lions playing like a playoff team?
Donahoe: When you watch the Lions, you find yourself wondering how
they got their nine wins. They're not very pretty but they find a way to get
it done. One area where they've excelled has been the turnover department.
Again today it was a key interception that sparked the Lions. Their offense
has struggled for most of the season, especially QB Charlie
Batch. But the biggest key with the playoffs is to get in. Whether
you're playing good football or artistic football doesn't really matter.
Next week, we'll find out for sure if the Lions are playing like a playoff
team.
Question on the Jets: If you stop Curtis
Martin now, do you stop the Jets?
Donahoe: That may be. The biggest difficulty the Jets have had for
most of this season has been offensive consistency. If you're a Jets fan,
you would like to see Martin get the football more often than he has the
last two weeks. Martin should be the heart and soul of this offense. Whether
it's running or receiving, it's imperative for the Jets to get Martin as
many touches as possible each game. When he is limited to 15 carries, it's
tough for him to get into an offensive flow. Another mystery for the Jets is
that their offensive line has been one of the best in the league at pass
protection but has not done a great job with the run. To be a playoff
football team, you must be able to run the football and stop the run.
Tom Donahoe, ESPN.com's NFL analyst, was formerly the Steelers' director
of football operations.
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The TD would not have come without Pro Bowl linebacker Stephen
Boyd's interception at the Jets 46 with 10:32 to go. The Lions, who
led the NFC in takeaways and interceptions coming in, now have 39
takeaways and 25 interceptions.
"The defense said we would have to play a full game, which we
didn't do the last two weeks," Boyd said of losses to Minnesota
and Green Bay. "We've got some guys hurt and the younger guys
stepped up and just did a great job."
New York moved to the Detroit 17 in the final moments, but John
Hall missed wide left on a 35-yard field goal attempt with nine
seconds remaining.
"I thought I heard a double thud, like someone got a finger on
it," said Hall, who also missed from 47 yards in the first half.
"I'll hit my next pressure kick and everyone will forget about
this. I feel like Sunday can't get here quickly enough."
Next Sunday, the Lions are home for Chicago and the Jets are at
Baltimore. The Lions need to win and get help to squeeze into the
playoffs. But at least they are alive.
"We put ourselves at this point that made us need this win so
much, and at least we played like it," said quarterback Charlie
Batch, who was sacked five times and passed for just 110 yards.
The Jets must win at Baltimore next Sunday or get lots of help
elsewhere. After a 4-0 start, the Jets have been mediocre, and they
were much worse than that on offense Sunday, with some very strange
play-calling.
"We let a hell of an opportunity slip away," quarterback Vinny
Testaverde said. "We don't have time to feel sorry for
ourselves."
The Jets, who gained just 240 yards overall, also lost
linebacker Bryan Cox with a broken right leg. And while Stewart was
having a big day in the muck, Curtis Martin ran for just 52 yards.
An early gamble hurt the Lions. After Tom Tupa's punt went out
of bounds at the Detroit 1, Batch's pass down the middle sailed too
high and Victor Green intercepted. He returned it 27 yards to the
1, then Martin ran it in.
But the Lions responded with an 89-yard drive; unfortunately for
them, they needed 90 to score. The line opened huge holes for
Stewart and Mario Bates, as Stewart's 30-yard run -- which put him
over 1,000 for the season -- and Bates' 23-yarder helped Detroit get
to the New York 1. On fourth down, Marvin Jones' monster hit
stopped Stewart short of the goal line.
The Lions got nothing from a drive of 9:04 in which they snapped
the ball nine times from the 10 or closer.
They finally got some points when Jason Hanson connected on a
35-yard field goal in the third quarter.
Game notes
Green's sixth interception gave him a career high, and he
was in on 13 tackles. ... Jets Pro Bowl fullback Richie Anderson
had a second straight poor game with only 22 yards on five
receptions, plus a lost fumble ... New York also lost DT Ernie
Logan to a sprained knee ... Detroit now is a plus-11 in turnover
differential ... Stewart has rushed for 100 yards three times this
year.
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ALSO SEE
NFL Scoreboard
Detroit Clubhouse
NY Jets Clubhouse
Jets open kicking job; place Cox on injured list
AUDIO/VIDEO
 Vinny Testaverde and the Jets are not feeling sorry for themselves yet.
wav: 221 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
John Hall takes responsibility for missing a game-tying field goal.
wav: 79 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
FROM
ATHLETESDIRECT
Charlie Batch Official Site
Desmond Howard Official Site
Curtis Martin Official Site
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