Hartings Isn’t Caught Off-Guard in Key Situation

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 beat the New York Jets, 10-7.

Detroit (9-6) kept its playoff 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 one with 5:43 to play. 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.”

The touchdown would not have come without Pro Bowl linebacker Stephen Boyd’s interception at the Jet 46 with 10:32 to play. The Lions have 39 takeaways and 25 interceptions--leading the NFC in both categories.

“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.”

The Jets got into position to tie the game with nine seconds left, but John Hall missed wide left on a 35-yard field-goal attempt.

Detroit needs to beat Chicago at the Silverdome on Sunday and get some help to make the playoffs.

“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 only 110 yards.

The Jets, meanwhile, must win at Baltimore on Sunday or get help from other teams to reach the playoffs. After a 4-0 start, the Jets have mostly been mediocre on offense--getting only 240 total yards against the Lions. Victor Green’s interception return to the Lion one set up the Jets’ only touchdown, a run by Curtis Martin.