NFL- Dolphins Beat the Jets and Gain their Second Win of the Season

The Miami Dolphins may have lost their first three games of the season, but now they have managed to recapture their confidence. First they defeated the Buffalo Bills; then, this Monday, they took on their longtime rivals, the New York Jets, and won 31-27 using the Wildcat. The victory gives the Dolphins third place in the AFC East with a 2-3 record, while the Jets, despite the loss, maintain first place in the AFC East with a 3-2 record. Miami opened the score in the first quarter thanks to a one-yard run by Ronnie Brown and an extra by Dan Carpenter that brought the score to 7-0. But New York wasn’t far behind, and a touchdown by the new rookie quarterback, a much-lauded Mark Sanchez, completed a three-yard delivery to receiver Braylon Edwards. Jay Feely added an extra point to tie the game 7-7. But Miami, not content with the tie, regained the lead with only 57 seconds left in the quarter; Carpenter attempted a 35-yard field goal to put his team up 10-7. In the second quarter, defensive strategies predominated for both teams. New York, however, was able to make two field goals. The first offense culminated just before the two-minute break, with Feely tying the score a second time. Then, with just four seconds left in the first half, Feely made another field goal – 43 yards – and New York took the lead 13-0 entering halftime. In the 15 minutes of the third quarter, both teams focused on defense, with neither able to score. But the Dolphins and Jets more than made up for that scoreless quarter in the fourth; the points began to drop in bunches. Miami scored in the first minutes of the fourth, when its new quarterback, Chad Henne, hit a two-yard touchdown pass to Anthony Fassano, and with the extra point, brought the score to 17-13. But the hosts’ lead didn’t last long. On the next offensive, New York regained the lead with Thomas Jones’ one-yard touchdown, and combining the extra, brought the score up to 20-17 in favor of the Jets. Just over two minutes later, Miami fought back, with Henne throwing a spectacular 53-yard touchdown pass to Ted Ginn Jr., moving the score to 24-20, Dolphins. New York regained the advantage shortly thereafter, with Jones carrying another three-yarder to bring the score to 27-24. With only six seconds left on the clock and the score favoring the Jets 27-24, the game was a close one. But Miami sent Brown to the end zone, and the final numbers on the scoreboard flashed 31-27, ending the exciting game in Miami’s favor. The game included strong performances by two young quarterbacks, Henne of the Dolphins and Sanchez of the Jets. Both managed to lead their teams in five of the last seven offensive series of the game, rushing consecutive touchdowns to end the vibrant duel. Henne complete 20 of his 26 passes, including two touchdowns, for a total of 241 yards; runners Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams added 74 and 68 yards respectively. Sanchez went with half of his deliveries, 12 of 24, for 172 yards and a single touchdown for the Jets. Miami is hoping that the win signals the beginning of a long winning streak and a climb in the standings. The team’s next game will be October 25th against the New Orleans Saints. The Jets, on the other hand, play on the 18th against the Buffalo Bills.