A Win is a Win, but the Dolphins Stunk it up
The good news is that the Miami Dolphins are in the playoff chase as December begins with a record of 7-4. The bad news is they are not playing well after having their second consecutive stinker. The difference today is they played the inept New York Jets who are redefining incompetence each and every week.
The Jets received the opening kickoff and got deep in Miami territory but settled for a 38-yard field goal by Sergio Castillo, a veteran of the XFL and AAF. The Jets must seem right at home to him. The Dolphins later answered with a 54-yard field goal by Jason Sanders as the game was tied 3-3 despite a lackluster first quarter from the playoff-hopeful Dolphins.
Second quarters have been tough for the Jets all season. The Dolphins continued that trend with Ryan Fitzpatrick playing for an injured Tua Tagovailoa connected with Mike Gesicki on a 13-yard touchdown pass. Miami later added a 51-yard field goal by Jason Sanders to take a 13-3 lead. The Jets had a chance to score before the half, as Denzel Mims made a spectacular catch deep in Dolphins' territory. However, the Jets' offense went into a shell as Castillo missed a 29-yard field goal.
In the third quarter, Miami came out flat; they could not move the ball and fumbled twice in their own territory. However, the Jets falling in love with Frank Gore could not score. Gore was given the ball 18 times for 74 yards, but the Jets could not get the job done. Sam Darnold had a costly interception, as the Dolphins defense extended their streak to 17 consecutive games forcing a turnover as Nik Needham earned his first pick of the season.
The Jets had their chances as the Dolphins played terrible football at times, but a series that started deep in Miami territory ended when Frank Gore was thrown for a two-yard loss on a fourth and one play. That play seemed to take whatever starch was left in New York out of them as the Dolphins drove 80 yards to seal a 20-3 victory with Adam Shaheen catching a seven-yard touchdown pass.
The Dolphins are fortunate to have played a piss poor Jets team that showed they are a semipro dysfunctional mess as they dropped to 0-11. The Dolphins host the Cincinnati Bengals next week. It is the start of a three-game homestand. Following the game against the Bengals, the Dolphins' schedule turns difficult, with a game against the Kansas City Chiefs in two weeks.