NFL

Titans WR beats Cromartie, runs over ref for TD

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Antonio Cromartie was lying flat in the middle of LP Field wondering why he was tangled up with the back judge while Titans wide receiver Nate Washington was running for a 77-yard touchdown.

“I’m looking at the ref and saying, ‘What the heck are you doing here?’ the Jets cornerback said late Sunday night after a 38-13 trouncing by the Titans. “But I’ve got to come up with the play no matter who is back there.”

Washington beat Cromartie and the back judge to catch the deep pass from Titans quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick and score the final touchdown of the rout.

It was the exclamation point on a day where the Jets defense couldn’t overcome four turnovers (two interceptions and two fumbles) by rookie quarterback Geno Smith. The Titans collected 322 total yards compared to 330 for the Jets. But Tennessee kept the chains moving by converting 10-of-18 third-downs.

“As a defense we take pride in not letting them in the end zone when our offense does turn the ball over,” Cromartie said. “We’ve been doing that for the past few weeks. Today just wasn’t our day. We missed some assignments and let them catch the ball on third down.”

The Jets did a good job containing Tennessee running back Chris Johnson, who managed just 21 yards on 15 carries. But they failed to create a turnover to change momentum. Titans quarterback Jake Locker completed 18-of-24 passes for 149 yards before being injured early in the third quarter. Fitzpatrick came in and hit 3-of-8 for 108 yards, including the long throw to Washington.

“We came into this game and said that we want to make them beat us throwing the football,” Jets linebacker Demario Davis said. “You have to hang your hat to them. They were able to beat us throwing the football.”

The turnovers committed by the Jets offense were demoralizing. But Cromartie said the Jets defenders have to look past that.

“We have to understand our offense is going to be what our offense is going to be and just go out and play football the way we need to,” he said.