March 28, 2024
New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan Photo Credit: Unknown

After three straight road losses, the New York Jets needed a win any way they could get one. The 0-4 Miami Dolphins came to town just at the right time, although the way the game began, it was hard to tell which team started the game without a victory.

Looking to get his offense on track, Jets head coach Rex Ryan elects to receive after winning the coin toss. They rewarded him by going 3 and out without gaining a first down. Mark Sanchez missing on his 2 pass attempts. It would only get uglier for Gang Green the rest of the quarter as they would be out-gained 176-10 in total yards. Miami had 6 first downs to none for the Jets. Said head coach Rex Ryan, "again a slow start. I don't know why. It seems like it's our m.o."

After the Dolphins took a 3-0 lead (23-yard field goal by Dan Carpenter) they were poised to increase the lead with the ball on the Jets 18 after the kick-off bounces off Brian Mc Intyre. Miami's quarterback Matt Moore looks for wide receiver Brandon Marshall, but Jets cornerback Darrell Revis steps in front for the interception. 100 yards later, the Jets take a 7-3 lead. The Fish would get within 1 after another Carpenter field goal (21 yards) when the Jets offense finally woke up.

With more than 5 minutes to go before the half, Sanchez directs them on a 19 play, 81-yard drive ending in a Sanchez quarterback sneak from 6 yards out. It was his second rushing touchdown of the year. Prior to that, the offense was abysmal. Four times the offense took the field and 4 times they ended up punting. Still, the defense allowed them to get their feet under them as Revis smothered Marshall. Moore's receivers dropped passes that would have kept drives alive. In fact, Marshall dropped a potential touchdown pass with the Dolphins on the Jets 5 yard line.

Miami failed to do anything to begin the third quarter while Sanchez wanted to continue moving the offense. Getting the ball with 7:16 left, he moves them 79 yards on 16 plays. Nick Folk caps the drive with a 28-yard field goal. From that point on it was evident why the Dolphins may not win a game for the rest of the year.

Just as the Jets could not move the ball to begin the game, Miami had a problem moving the ball as the game went on. They punted on their only 2 possessions of the third quarter gaining only 1 first down as a result of a Jets penalty. The fourth quarter wasn't any kinder as New York extended the lead to 24-6.

After another 3 and out, the Jets begin at midfield and watch as veteran La Danian Tomlinson gains 12 yards out of the backfield. Sanchez, out of the shotgun, finds Santonio Holmes across the middle for a short, quick pass which he turns into a 38-yard touchdown catch-and-run.

The New York Jets did exactly what they were supposed to do against a Miami Dolphin team that had come to Met Life Stadium with no wins. It was a much-needed victory after losing their last 3 games on the road. They still have a lot of work to do as the running game once again was not a factor. Sanchez (14-25, 201 yards and no interceptions) did not put up numbers that will raise any eyebrows either. The offensive line did a good job of giving him time to complete passes.

Still, the New York Jets were at a serious crossroad and needed this victory as the schedule has them hosting the San Diego Chargers followed by a bye week. Then they play 2 straight division games at Buffalo before hosting New England. Their season could be determined by the outcome of those games.

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