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Posted October 08, 2013

Smith tossed three touchdowns and engineered the game-winning drive Monday night (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Rex Ryan kept repeating one word in his press conference after the Jets 30-28 win over Atlanta: Fearless.

It was an appropriate assessment of his football team and, more to the point, of his rookie quarterback. Geno Smith found himself on a large stage Monday night with a difficult task before him. On the opposite sideline stood one of the leagues top QBs in Matt Ryan, who had never lost back-to-back games at home.

Smith answered him shot-for-shot all evening, then one-upped the Falcons star in the final minute, leading a beautiful drive to set up the game-winning field goal.

I thought he did an outstanding job for us the entire game, Ryan said of Smith. I was impressed with the fact we used how many receivers in that drive. When Geno had the protection, he delivered it. By at least one standard, Smith was perfect in the first half. He headed into halftime with a flawless 158.3 QB rating, thanks in no small part to a pair of touchdown passes. The Falcons counter-punched after the break, finally finding a way to dial up some pressure and get in Smiths grill.

The Jets 17-7 lead dwindled, then their 27-14 cushion disappeared entirely. Ryans TD toss to Levine Toilolo of all people thrust Atlanta in front for the first time in hours, 28-27 with 1:54 left.

Smith never even flinched. He quickly connected on three straight passes for 34 yards two to Stephen Hill, one to Jeremy Kerley. Then, with Atlantas D-line again pushing into the pocket, Smith escaped the rush and outraced Osi Umenyiora to the sideline for a 9-yard pickup.

One more first down after that left Nick Folk with a 43-yarder for the win. He drilled it and suddenly, the Jets are 3-2 and very much in the playoff hunt behind a rookie QB whos growing up fast.

My confidence is always sky high, Smith told ESPN after the game. Nothing can bring me down.

Read the original here:
Geno Smith stars as ‘fearless’ Jets pull off a stunner, beat Falcons