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          New York Jets

          Jets' QB change provides spark, but not the way anyone expected

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          Waddle not sure turning back to Fitzpatrick is best for Jets (1:30)

          Tom Waddle doesn't think sticking with Ryan Fitzpatrick as the full-time starting quarterback is the best move for the Jets' franchise. (1:30)

          • Rich Cimini, ESPN Staff WriterOct 23, 2016, 07:58 PM
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              Rich Cimini is a staff writer who covers the New York Jets and the NFL at ESPN. Rich has covered the Jets for over 30 years, joining ESPN in 2010. Rich also hosts the Flight Deck podcast. He previously was a beat writer for the New York Daily News and is a graduate of Syracuse University. You can follow him via Twitter @RichCimini.
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          EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- "The Phantom of the Opera" is the longest-running show in New York -- unless you count the New York Jets' quarterback situation, which has captivated us for about four decades.

          The latest twist: Four days after being called upon to replace the slumping Ryan Fitzpatrick, Geno Smith suffered a second-quarter knee injury, ending his comeback story after 24 plays. In came the demoted Fitzpatrick, who orchestrated a touchdown drive in his first series and helped the Jets to a 24-16 victory over the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday at MetLife Stadium.

          Crazy, right?

          The Jets (2-5) snapped a four-game losing streak thanks to a big day by running back Matt Forte (154 total yards, two touchdowns) and three takeaways by their turnover-starved defense, but who knows where they go from here? The uncertainty at quarterback has put that all-too-familiar cloud over the organization.

          Smith doesn't think the injury is serious, but an MRI on Monday will determine that. Fitzpatrick added to the drama, calling out Woody Johnson, Mike Maccagnan and Todd Bowles after the game.

          "... When the owner stops believing in you and the general manager stops believing in you and the coaches stop believing in you, sometimes all you have is yourself," he said.

          Fitzpatrick is right -- they don't believe in him -- but he lost their faith by throwing 11 interceptions in the first six games, playing his way out of a $12 million job. Emboldened by the win, a defiant Fitzpatrick made no attempt to hide his anger. His emotion was out of character because he's always been a team guy. This time, he stepped into a realm that few professional athletes dare to enter.

          He ripped his bosses, for crying out loud.

          "I probably play better as an underdog, pissed off, so going forward, yeah, I'll be pissed off," said Fitzpatrick, adding he believes he should be the starter again.

          Bowles has to stick with Smith, if healthy, because he did nothing in 20 minutes to lose the job. Bowles already has flip-flopped once; he'd look bad if he does it again. If Smith's injury causes him to miss practice time, Bowles will have little choice but to return to Fitzpatrick -- and that's not necessarily a bad thing. If there's a supportive running game and strong defense, he can succeed against a soft upcoming schedule. Next up for the Jets are the winless Cleveland Browns.

          "I don't think it's relief, I think it's frustration," said Bowles, describing the mood of the team. "We're 2-5. We have to be able to get better. We can't change the past, but we have something to do about the future."

          Wouldn't it be something if Fitzpatrick sparks a turnaround? It happened last season, when Smith -- the presumptive starter -- lost the job after having his jaw broken in training camp by the fist of then-teammate IK Enemkpali. Fitzpatrick took over and enjoyed a career year, leading the Jets to a 10-6 season.

          Smith waited 14 months for another shot -- not always patiently, mind you -- but it finally came with the Fitzpatrick benching. Smith (4-for-8, 95 yards, 1 TD) was so-so before getting hurt on a sack by Ravens linebacker Matthew Judon. Smith hooked up with Quincy Enunwa for a 69-yard touchdown in the first quarter, but it was all Enunwa, who took a 7-yard curl and outran Baltimore's defense.

          The sack happened outside the pocket on a play in which Smith held the ball too long -- one of his shortcomings. But you have to feel for him, especially if this is a major injury. He will be a free agent after the season.

          "That's how stuff works, man," he said. "That's how life woks."

          Down 13-7, Fitzpatrick sparked the Jets with an 85-yard touchdown drive, hitting Forte for a 13-yard scoring pass on a middle screen. Where was that over the past four weeks? Fitzpatrick (9-for-14, 120 yards, 1 TD) didn't do much the rest of the day, but he was saved by Forte, who carried the offense on his 30-year-old back.

          The Jets beat an injury-ravaged Ravens team, but give them some credit. They recovered from a 10-0 deficit, which included a punting misadventure by rookie Lachlan Edwards. He muffed a snap -- and fumbled the recovery -- and the Ravens pulled off a scoop and score.

          It was a weird game. And another odd twist in the Jets' always-entertaining quarterback situation.