Jets Top Dolphins 13-10

The Jets kept their playoff hopes alive by beating the Dolphins in Miami on Christmas night.  If the Jets beat Oakland next week at home, they advance to the playoffs.  In what was widely considered to be a rebuilding year, the importance of this accomplishment can not be minimized.

The Jets battled all night long.  They fought the rain and a stingy Miami defense.  The game was scoreless at half and it was a battle of the punters.  Going into the 4th quarter, the Jets led 3-0.  The Dolphins scored twice in the 4th quarter after benching Joey Harrington at the half.  Cleo Lemon did a better job of moving the Dolphins as the Jets found facing adversity. As Coach Mangini has preached all year though, the Jets did not blink.  They fought back and tied the game and then went ahead with seconds remaining in regulation.  Mike Nugent kicked a 30 yard field goal to put the Jets ahead for good.

Chad Pennington (237 yards, 1 TD) seemed to struggle early but managed to move the ball when the Jets needed to.  Leon Washington has a big night going over 100 yards receiving.  The biggest play of his career was when he took a screen pass 64 yards to setup the game winning field goal.

The defense made it all possible.  Jonathan Vilma had a stong game and record 9 tackles as did Eric Coleman.  The defense also had 3 sacks and did not let Miami move the ball consistently (10 punts).

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