It’s fitting that, as Bruce Jacobs of Sporting News Radio and I were discussing the theory that the Jets don’t have a smash-mouth defense, the Jets defense smashed Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco hard in the mouth.
On the first offensive snap taken by the Ravens, Jets defensive end Shaun Ellis applied to Flacco the most violent hit we’ve seen on a Monday night since Cardinals cornerback Aeneas Williams ended Steve Young’s career.
Florio Jr. thought Flacco wouldn’t be getting up after taking the top of a helmet to his chin. But get up Flacco did, and he was back on the field on the very next drive.
Meanwhile, the Ravens defense stiffened after the Flacco fumble, and the Jets converted a field goal to take a 3-0 lead.