It could be worse Jet fans. You could be a Dolphin booster.
Leon Washington ripped off two impressive touchdown runs, Mike Nugent nailed four field goals and the opportunistic defense forced five turnovers as the Jets scored 30 unanswered points and smashed Miami 40-13 in a nearly empty Dolphin Stadium. It was the first road win for Gang Green this year and it moved the Fins to 0-12 on the season.
This game was close for about a half before the Jets realized the Dolphins have zero weapons on offense. Miami running back Jesse Chatman entered the game with a bum ankle and sore neck and once he was knocked out of the game, the Jets defense unloaded on rookie quarterback John Beck. The result was the Jets most dominating performance of the season.
REASONS TO GET UP ON MONDAY:
Blue and Gold attack. The Jets sported their "alternate" uniforms on Sunday and the defensive unit went out and played like Titans (ha! It's a play on words!). The Dolphins managed only one real scoring drive the entire game and it resulted in only three points. Miami scored their only touchdown on a defensive return and the other field goal was set up by another Jets turnover. Still, the Aqua and Orange trailed only 17-13 late in the second quarter and were driving until safety Kerry Rhodes intercepted a pass at the Jets 9-yard line. It was the third pick in as many weeks for Rhodes and his return to the Jets 45-yard line help set up a Mike Nugent field goal and gave the Blue and Gold a 20-13 halftime lead. Then the Jets D really turned it on. The Dolphins had six possessions in the second half and here were the results: punt, fumble, fumble, interception, punt, end of game. Rookie linebacker David Harris finished with 8 tackles, a sack, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Bryan Thomas recorded a sack and a forced fumble and rookie corner Darrelle Revis picked up his second interception of the season. It was total domination. The Dolphins finished with only 37 yards rushing and 214 total yards.
Leon Washington. The little engine that could showed that he isn't only a weapon on special teams. His dazzling 18-yard touchdown run gave the Jets an early 7-0 advantage and his determined 12-yard scoring romp capped New York's scoring. It was the first time this season a Jets running back reached the end zone twice in a game. Mr. Washington finished with 68 yards rushing on 10 carries and also caught 2 passes for 35 yards.
Hitting pay dirt. It was a long time coming for Thomas Jones, but he finally reached the promised land in a Jets (Titans) uniform. His 1-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter was his first of the season and the first time he reached the end zone in 242 carries. It's really a mind-boggling stat if you think about. TJ finished with 24 carries for 75 yards and one catch for another 25 yards.
Good as Gold. Mike Nugent's longest field goal of the day only traveled 40 yards, but the snaps from center were high (Ben Graham also did a nice job on the holds) and No. 1 did drill four of them. I've been a bit hard on Cat Scratch Fever this season since his misses have really hurt the team, but he's putting together another solid season (18 out of 23 on the year).
REASONS TO SLEEP IN ON MONDAY:
Turnovers. The Jets turned the ball over twice on Sunday and those giveaways resulted in 10 points (directly and indirectly) for the Dolphins. The first was a bobble by wide receiver Brad Smith that resulted in an interception by the volatile Joey Porter. Miami was set up at the Jets 33-yard line, but mustered only 7 yards and settled for a field goal. The second turnover came on a 3rd and 5 from the Fins 46-yard line. Cornerback Will Allen blasted Clemens from the blind side and forced a fumble. Mike Lehan snatched up the loose ball and scampered 43 yards for a score.
Six sacks. The Green and White (or Blue and Gold, as it were) allowed half a dozen sacks on Sunday. There were times when the Dolphins just made plays, times when the offensive line was confused and times when Kellen Clemens showed some indecision in the pocket.
So the Jets picked up their third win of the season on Sunday and swept the Dolphins for the second straight season. They also avoided the embarrassment of losing to a winless team. Gang Green has also beaten Miami in 16 of their past 20 meetings.
Too bad the Jets can't play the Dolphins every week.
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Lucky for you the Rams also won. The fight for the #2 pick is still on!