EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Embattled quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, listed as questionable with a minor knee sprain, didnt start for the New York Jets on Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams.It means second-year backup Bryce Petty made his NFL starting debut.Fitzpatrick, who is active and will back up Petty, was injured last Sunday in a loss to the Miami Dolphins, but he finished the game and practiced every day, albeit on a limited basis. He had said he was definitely optimistic about playing.Nevertheless, coach Todd Bowles said he wanted to wait until Sunday to make a decision. Fitzpatrick and Petty received an even number of practice reps during the week, according to Bowles.By the end of the week, Fitzpatrick was trending toward starting, but he apparently wasnt able to convince Bowles.This should be a popular decision with the fan base, which has been screaming for Petty to start. Fitzpatrick has thrown a league-leading 13 interceptions, and the Jets begin the day at 3-6, seemingly out of playoff contention.Rookie Christian Hackenberg is inactive on Sunday.If Petty plays well, it will complicate things for Bowles, who has remained steadfastly committed to Fitzpatrick despite his struggles. Bowles has made it clear he believes Fitzpatrick gives them the best chance to win.The Jets have a bye week to sort it out. After Sunday, they dont play again until Nov. 27 against the New England Patriots.Petty, a fourth-round pick out of Baylor in 2015, has played only four regular-season snaps -- all last week. He played well in the preseason and moved up to No. 2 when Geno Smith, starting for the benched Fitzpatrick, suffered a season-ending knee injury on Oct. 23.After backing up Robert Griffin III early in his college career, Petty became Baylors starter in 2013 and 2014. 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Collin Sexton Jersey . -- Sergey Tolchinksy scored his second goal of the game 3:56 into overtime as the Sault Ste. Brad Daugherty Cavaliers Jersey . -- Running backs Darren McFadden and Rashad Jennings were back at practice for the Oakland Raiders on Wednesday despite being hampered by hamstring injuries. WASHINGTON -- The Washington Nationals have a nine-game lead over the New York Mets in the National League East race.But that doesnt mean the three-game series between the two teams that begins Monday wont be important.Wed like to beat them, Washington manager Dusty Baker said after Sundays 3-2 win over the Philadelphia Phillies. We know they have to beat us. It should be a very interesting series.The Mets come to Washington with an eye on the National League wildcard while the Nationals hope to finish with the second-best record in the league and get a possible homefield advantage for the playoffs, perhaps against the Los Angeles Dodgers.Weve got to keep playing, Mets manager Terry Collins told reporters Sunday in Atlanta. We know we can play with (Washington) them. Theyve got a little bit of a pitching issue right now, similar to us. Weve just got to go in there and play. For its about winning games, I dont care who theyre against. You cant look at any particular thing, you just have to go in and win as many games as you can.New York will start right-hander Rafael Montero against the Nationals on Monday. He is 0-0 with a 4.63 ERA this season with New York. He was 8-9, 5.30 in the minor leagues this year with Double-A Binghamton and Triple-A Las Vegas. He pitched 4 1/3 innings on Sept. 6 against the Reds and gave up three hits and four runs.Baker did not name a starter for Monday or Tuesday against the Mets but the Nationals twitter account late Sunday reported that veteran right-hander Mat Latos would start on Monday against the Mets, with A.J. Cole going on Tuesday and Tanner Roark pitching Wednesday.Latos pitched for Baker in Cincinnati in 2012 and 2013 and was 1-0 with a 1.dddddddddddd29 ERA in six minor league starts in the Washington system this year. He signed with the Nationals as a minor league free agent on July 3 and is 1-0, 7.71 in two games for the Nationals this year.Latos was with the Chicago White Sox earlier this season -- he pitched against the Nationals one game -- and he was 6-2, 4.62 in 11 games in the American League this year before coming to Washington.Other options for the rest of the season for Washington include two rookie right-handers: Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez.Gioloito made his big league debut against the Mets at home in June while Lopez lost 5-1 to the Mets on Sept. 4 in New York. Lopes has made six starts this year for the Nationals and Giolito has made four.Giolito, who began the year as one of the top pitching prospects in the minors, is 0-1, 5.59 in five games with Washington.There has been some concern about his velocity: he threw in the upper 90s last year but was clocked around 90 in his last outing Wednesday as he came out of bullpen in a game in which Strasburg left early.Lopez has shown a devastating curve at times and is 2-3, 5.52 in his time with the Nationals this year.Cole broke into the majors last year and beat the Mets on Sept. 2 in New York. Cole started at home on Thursday against the Phillies.Cole is 1-2 with a 4.56 ERA in four starts this year for Washington after spending most of the season at Triple-A Syracuse.New York had won eight of its past 11 games after downing the Braves on Sunday 10-3. ' ' '