The New York Jets got themselves into a 4-way tie in the AFC East today, as they defeated their division rivals, the Miami Dolphins, 17-7.
The Gang Green took a 7-0 lead in the first quarter when QB Chad Pennington connected with WR Laveranues Coles on a 7-yard touchdown pass. The Dolphins responded with what seemed to be like a sure scoring drive but usually reliable PK Olindo Mare missed a 21-yard field goal attempt. Both teams then struggled offensively until the Jets sustained another long drive in the second quarter. On a 3rd and goal Pennington connected with WR Wayne Chrebet and it sure looked like the latter crossed the goal line. The referees, however, ruled that Wayne was down on the 1-yard line. The Jets challenged the play but the call was upheld because the referee ruled Chrebet's knee was down before getting the ball into the end zone. On the ensuing fourth down from the goal line, RB Curtis Martin tried to get himself in but fumbled and the Dolphins got the ball on downs. Later in the second quarter rookie PK Mike Nugent scored his first NFL field goal, extending the lead to 10-0.
By the end of the third quarter the Dolphins offense finally found its rhythm and moved the ball deep inside the Jets' territory. On the second play of the fourth quarter QB Gus Frerotte found TE Randy McMichael on a 4-yard touchdown pass, reducing the Jets' lead to 10-7. The Jets instantly responded with a 10-play scoring drive of their own. Chad Pennington completed a crucial 3rd and 12 to WR Justin McCareins for a 20-yard gain. Then Pennington found WR Wayne Chrebet for another 12-yard completion, as the Jets crossed the midfield. Two completions to Laveranues Coles and an unnecessary roughness penalty on Miami moved the Jets to the Dolphins' 1-yard line. Finally, on a beautifully executed play action play Chad Pennington connected with FB Jerald Sowell to seal the deal, 17-7. Miami, however, did try to save the game but Frerotte's pass was picked off by CB David Barrett with less than 3 minutes left on the game clock.
QB Chad Pennington rebounded after last week's awful performance against Kansas City, as he completed 19 of his 30 passes for 190 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT. His passes, however, did hang in the air from time to time and one can only wonder how a few of those did not end up in the hands of Miami defenders. Justin McCareins and Laveranues Coles made 5 receptions apiece. TE Chris Baker, who had a big game last week, caught only 1 pass for 3 yards. The running game struggled once again, as Curtis Martin was limited to just 72 yards on 31 carries. RB Derrick Blaylock was finally somewhat involved in the game, as he rushed two times for a total of 14 yards.
On the defensive side, LB Jonathan Vilma led the team with 11 tackles (7 solo). DE John Abraham and DE Shaun Ellis both had sacks late in the game when Miami was forced to abandon their running game. For the most part of the game, however, the Jets front four was having problems applying pressure on Gus Frerotte.
Next week the Jets will host the Jacksonville Jaguars (1-1) whom they beat 2 years ago, 13-10. The kickoff time is at 1:00 PM ET.