BALTIMORE (Ticker) -- Once again with a playoff spot within their grasp, the New York Jets collapsed.
Cornerback Chris McAlister ran back an interception 98 yards for a touchdown late in the second quarter and Jermaine Lewis returned two punts for scores in the second half as the Baltimore Ravens remained alive for the AFC Central title with a 34-20 victory over the deflated Jets.
New York (9-7) looked like a sure bet to make the playoffs with a 9-4 record and could have clinched a spot with a win in any of its last three games. But losses to Oakland and Detroit in the previous two weeks made today's contest a must-win.
But instead, the Jets were eliminated from playoff contentio in a 16-game season with 165, 22 less than the 1986 Chicago Bears.
"As a whole, you have to be proud a little bit of what we did," Baltimore safety Rod Woodson said. "This doesn't happen every year. I think it will stand for a very long time."
New York dominated the first quarter and took a 14-0 lead on TD catches by Dedric Ward and fullback Richie Anderson. Ward's came on the game's first drive off a flea-flicker.
But Baltimore stormed back in the second quarter by taking advantage of four New York turnovers. On the first play of the quarter, Ravens defensive end Keith Washington recovered a fumble by former Ravens quarterback Vinny Testaverde, leading to Qadry Ismail's seven-yard TD catch.
Baltimore cornerback Duane Starks picked off Testaverde during each of the Jets' next two drives, with the first leading to Matt Stover's 42-yard field goal that cut the Ravens' deficit to 14-10 with 10:13 left in the half.
Starks returned the second 64 yards to the New York 7, but the Ravens could not score after missing a fourth-down play at the Jets 1. On the next snap, Baltimore defensive end Micheal McCrary tackled Martin in the end zone for a safety.
"After the Jets scored the first two, we kept our composure," Starks said. "We knew we couldn't let them score again. We knew they were going to pass all day. This game was very draining. We expected them to be tough and we didn't get any less than that. I just try to do my part."
New York tried to increase its slim lead late in the second quarter, but McAlister caught Testaverde's pass at the Ravens 2 and made a move around Martin at midfield before scampering into the end zone. The Baltimore lead became 20-14 when rookie Jamal Lewis ran in the two-point conversion.
"I just got a good read on it," McAlister said.
Jermaine Lewis began his show with 6:19 remaining in the third quarter when he ran a punt back 54 yards for a 27-17 lead. He added an 89-yard TD return with 5:02 left to cap the scoring.
"After (the second) one, we got the momentum," Lewis said. "I felt that touchdown put the game away, put the dagger in. This game was very rewarding."
It marked the second time in Lewis' career that he ran back two punts for TDs. The other came against Seattle in 1997. Lewis did not play last week due to the loss of his unborn son.
"It was very special," Lewis said. "I dedicated this game to my little son. He helped me out there some today. We played our hearts out. They guys have been blocking hard for me all year trying to get me loose and into the end zone."
After Lewis' first return made it 27-17, the Jets were faced with a 4th-and-1 on the Baltimore 5. Groh decided to go for it, but Testaverde overthrew rookie tight end Anthony Becht in the end zone.
New York's Brett Conway eventually kicked a 40-yard field goal with 10:58 left in the third quarter that cut the deficit to 27-20. But the Jets continued their sloppy play just over three minutes later when Anderson fumbled at his own 36.
Replays showed that Anderson's knee was down, but Groh chose not to challenge the play. But New York got a break anyway when Stover missed his 45-yard attempt.
Testaverde completed 36-of-69 attempts for a career-high 481 yards, falling one throw shy of the NFL record set by New England's Drew Bledsoe on November 13, 1994.
"Today was disappointing," Testaverde said. "We gave it everything, but we had too many turnovers. Against a good team, you put yourself in a hole doing that. We knew we were in for a tough game. We wanted to stay aggressive and not too passive. It was just a matter of executing, which we didn't."
Baltimore contained New York's rushing attack, causing Testaverde to throw often. Martin managed just 47 yards on 18 carries, giving him just 110 on 51 attempts in the last three games.
"This is more disappointing than surprising," Martin said. "Statistically, we were there, but if you don't put up the points, you lose. If we played with the same fire the whole game and with no mistakes, we would have won. Things didn't work out."
New York outgained Baltimore, 524-142 and held a 22-5 advantage in first downs. Anderson caught 11 passes for 139 yards while Ward had 147 yards on eight receptions.
The Ravens have not allowed a 100-yard rusher in 33 straight games and limited the opposition to a team-record 970 on the season.
Baltimore's Trent Dilfer completed 11-of-25 passes for 99 yards and did not start the third quarter due to a sprained left wrist suffered late in the first half. But Dilfer returned to the game after backup Tony Banks separated his left shoulder.
Banks is expected to be out 1-3 weeks.
