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Jaiquawn Jarrett #37 of the New York Jets recovers a...

Jaiquawn Jarrett #37 of the New York Jets recovers a fumble in the first quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2014 in East Rutherford, N.J. Credit: Jim McIsaac

Safety Jaiquawn Jarrett earned a game ball with a performance for the ages in the Jets' 20-13 victory over the Steelers Sunday at MetLife Stadium.

Perhaps former general manager Mike Tannenbaum should have gotten one, too.

It was Tannenbaum who signed Jarrett, a former second-round pick of the Eagles, on Dec. 31, 2012. Three days later, Tannenbaum was fired by Woody Johnson.

On Sunday, Jarrett was a surprise starter in place of Calvin Pryor, who was the No. 1 pick this year by Tannenbaum's successor, John Idzik.

All Jarrett did with the opportunity was grab two interceptions, recover a fumble, sack Ben Roethlisberger and get in on 10 tackles (seven solo) as the Jets dominated a quarterback who had thrown an NFL-record 12 touchdown passes (six each) in his previous two games.

By himself, Jarrett tied the Jets' total of three takeaways from the first nine games of the season.

"That's what we look forward to: to try to make sure we have the opportunity to get the ball back to the offense," Jarrett said. "The front seven did a tremendous job making sure they got the balls out of there."

Jarrett, 25, is a Brooklyn native who played at Temple. He had started two games for the Jets, both last season. In 38 previous NFL games, he had zero interceptions.

"He does a great job," Rex Ryan said. "He's dependable and has been playing well."

Jarrett sacked Roethlisberger for a 10-yard loss on the Steelers' first possession, forcing a punt. With the Jets leading 10-0, Jarrett recovered Antonio Brown's fumble at the Pittsburgh 22-yard line. The Jets made it 17-0 when Michael Vick hit Jace Amaro with a 5-yard TD pass.

Jarrett wasn't done. Cornerback Marcus Williams broke up a pass at the 2-yard line intended for Martavis Bryant and tipped the ball to a diving Jarrett, who returned it 9 yards.

"Marcus made the play, actually," Jarrett said. "I was just in the right position. Marcus gets the credit for that one."

Jarrett picked up his second interception when Roethlisberger overthrew Markus Wheaton at the Jets' 20 on Pittsburgh's first drive of the second half.

"It's an amazing feeling," Jarrett said. "You go through a lot. You go through a lot of adversity. You've just got to continue to keep your faith, you know?"

Pryor's playing time had dwindled in recent weeks, but Ryan hinted there might have been something other than performance behind the decision to bench the rookie.

"We were trying to line up guys that we think deserve it," Ryan said. "Whether it's in the classroom, on the practice field or in meetings, being on time for meetings."

When asked if he missed a meeting or was guilty of some other football transgression this past week, Pryor said: "Coach's decision. Got to ask him."

Pryor also said: "It's not about me. I'm trying to enjoy this victory. I'm just trying to enjoy the guys in the locker room. I'm happy for Jaiquawn Jarrett. He played an outstanding game."

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