Bryant - Game Recaps

The game began as a virtual punt fest. The Dolphins were forced to punt on 8 of their 13 drives. Quarterback Jay Fiedler was off target all evening, and was only able to sustain one successful drive late in the second quarter. He threw 2 interceptions in the fourth quarter on back to back drives, effectively ending any chance for a comeback. The fact he threw 2 touchdowns can be deceiving, his second touchdown was to WR Derrius Thompson, on the last play of the game.

Randy McMichael was once again the leading receiver for Miami with his 7 receptions for 87 yards and one touchdown. Both Marty Booker and Chris Chambers were targeted 8 times, and both were only able to make 3 receptions on those targets.

The Miami Dolphins' defense was obliterated by the rushing game of the Jets. The Jets finished with a total 275 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns against them.

New York Jets

The Jets were forced to punt on 5 of their first 6 drives. To say they recovered nicely from their slow start is an understatement. They were able to score on 5 of their 6 last drives, completely trouncing the Dolphins

Both Curtis Martin and LaMont Jordan finished the game with 115 rushing yards and both scored a 25-yard rushing touchdown. Martin was particularly impressive as he has been all season with his ability to break tackles and make cuts to gain yardage. Martin was the feature back until the middle of the third quarter when the Jets were leading 31 to 7.

The Jets capitalized on a forced fumble recovery with Chad Pennington's 35-yard touchdown pass to Wayne Chrebet. Amazingly it was the first touchdown reception by a starting Jets' receiver this season. Pennington went on to throw 2 more touchdown passes. One a 27-yard pass to Justin McCareins in the second quarter. And in the third quarter he connected with TE Chris Baker for a 1-yard touchdown.

WHAT YOU OUGHT TO KNOW

Miami Dolphins

QB: Jay Fiedler (20-41-218, 2 TD, 2 Int, 1-26 rushing) Fielder attempted a flea flicker pass deep to Marty Booker, but the pass was a little off. During the second drive of the game, Fiedler avoided a sack and connected with McMichael for 10 yards. Fiedler was off target for the next couple of drives. It was not until late in the first half that Fiedler started to play a little better, completing 6 out of 8 passes for 67 yards. The drive ended with his touchdown pass to Randy McMichael. Fielder threw two interceptions in the fourth quarter, one in the end zone. His second touchdown was the final play of the game against a soft Jets defense.

RB: Sammy Morris (11-48 rushing, 3-12 receiving on 4 targets) Morris made a great rush of 11 yards up the middle with his first carry. Overall, the rushing game for the Dolphins was ineffective, as they lost ground against the Jets.

Travis Minor (4-4 rushing) Minor gained 5 yards on 3 rushes in the first quarter of play.

Rob Konrad (1-15 receiving on 4 targets) Konrad was the recipient of two Fiedler targets in the first quarter, but neither was thrown very well. In the second quarter, he made a 15-yard reception near the sidelines.

WR: Chris Chambers (3-29 receiving on 8 targets) Chambers had a pass broken up in the second quarter. He drew a defensive pass interference call during the Dolphins' scoring drive in the first half. Chambers was targeted late in the first half, but the ball was thrown too low for him to be able to make the catch.

Marty Booker (3-37 receiving on 8 targets) Booker made the first play of the game with a 25-yard reception. Booker was open deep on the very same drive on a flea flicker pass, but couldn't make the catch. The pass was a little short and it appeared to pop out of his arms. Booker took a hit to his chest on the play and sat out for a drive.

Derrius Thompson (1-29, 1 TD receiving on 2 targets) Derrius Thompson was targeted deep in the third quarter, but Jay Fiedler overthrew him. Thompson scored a touchdown on the very last play of the game, his only reception during the game.

Donald Lee (1-6 receiving on 1 targets, 1 fumble lost) After making a reception in the first quarter, Lee was hit hard after the catch and fumbled the ball, turning it over to the Jets.

Bryan Gilmore (1-3 receiving on 5 targets) Gilmore was not targeted until the fourth quarter. He was targeted in the end zone, but he was overthrown. He was also the intended receiver on Fiedler's second interception.

TE: Randy McMichael (7-87, 1 TD receiving on 12 targets) As has become a common occurrence, McMichael was Jay Fiedler's favorite target. And he was the most effective receiver for the Dolphins. McMichael made a 10-yard reception in the first quarter. He made a sharp 28-yard reception to start Miami's first scoring drive. On that drive, McMichael was the focus and he made 4 receptions for 63 yards culminating with his 21-yard touchdown reception. McMichael was the target of Fiedler's first interception.

K: Matt Bryant (2 XP) Bryant made both of his extra point attempts.

Pass Defense: The Dolphins were only able to sack Chad Pennington once. Pennington attempted more deep passes than normal, a testament to the poor coverage that the Dolphins had on the Jets' receivers.

Rush Defense: The Dolphins were unable to stop the Jets rushing attack. They allowed 275 net yards rushing. It did not matter which of the Jets running backs was rushing, Curtis Martin, LaMont Jordan, or even fullback B.J. Askew. Both Martin and Jordan finished with 115 yards rushing and a rushing touchdown.

New York Jets

QB: Chad Pennington (11-19-189, 3 TD, 2-22 rushing) During the first quarter, Pennington connected with Wayne Chrebet on a very sharp well thrown pass for a 35-yard touchdown. Pennington targeted Justin McCareins deep in the second quarter, but the pass was tipped. After a drive that featured 6 runs in a row, Pennington threw a 27-yard touchdown pass to Justin McCareins. Pennington led the Jets on a 94-yard drive in the third quarter. The highlight of the drive was a 47-yard pass to Santana Moss. It culminated with a 1-yard strike from Pennington to Chris Baker.

Quincy Carter (1-1-8) Carter came in for Pennington late in the fourth quarter and completed 1 pass to Jerald Sowell.

RB: Curtis Martin (19-115, 1 TD rushing, 1-13 receiving on 2 targets) On Martin's first run he gained 11-yards with a great run. He didn't find any room in the middle and made a cut outside to gain the yardage. During their second drive Martin broke through another hole and made a 14-yard carry. Martin gained 3 yards on a screen catch in the second quarter. Martin carried the ball 4 times for 30 yards during McCareins' touchdown scoring drive. On a third and long play in the third quarter, Martin rushed 25 yards for a touchdown. All in all, he continues to dominate.

LaMont Jordan (14-115, 1 TD rushing, 1-21 receiving on 1 target) Jordan carried the ball for the first time in the second quarter. He made a 14-yard gain that converted a third down. He saw most of his playing time in the second half in relief of Martin, when the Jets had the game well in hand. He made a great 21-yard screen catch during one drive, and on the next play carried the ball to the 1-yard line. Later in the fourth quarter, he made a 25-yard touchdown run.

Jerald Sowell (1-8 receiving on 2 targets) Sowell was targeted with Pennington's first passing attempt. His only reception was from Quincy Carter near the end of the game.

B.J. Askew (6-23 rushing) FB Askew came into the game in relief of LaMont Jordan at the end of the fourth quarter.

WR: Santana Moss (1-47 receiving on 2 targets) Moss was targeted late in the first quarter, but the pass was too short. Moss also saw time as punt returner. Moss made his first and only reception in the third quarter; he was wide open to make the 47-yard catch.

Justin McCareins (3-56, 1 TD receiving on 5 targets) McCareins made an 8-yard reception during the Jets' opening drive. McCareins made a 27-yard catch and stretched his arm to make it a touchdown reception. McCareins made a 21-yard reception in the waning seconds of the first half.

Wayne Chrebet (2-41, 1 TD receiving on 3 targets) Chrebet beat Junior Seau and made a 35-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter. In the third quarter, Chrebet had what would have been an easy touchdown reception go right through his hands.

Jerricho Cotchery (1-5 receiving on 1 target) Rookie Cotchery made a 5-yard reception in the first quarter.

TE: Anthony Becht (1-5 receiving on 2 targets) Becht had a pass go through his hands that would have converted a third down. He made a 5-yard catch in the second quarter when Pennington found himself under pressure.

Chris Baker (1-1, 1 TD receiving on 1 target) Baker made a 1-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter. The Dolphins were fooled by the play action and Baker was wide open to score.

K: Doug Brien (5 XP, 2-2 FG) Brien made a 49-yard field goal attempt in the last seconds of the first half. He made a 43-yard attempt in the fourth quarter.

Pass Defense: Eric Barton forced the Donald Lee fumble that Reggie Tongue recovered. Fiedler was sacked four times, once in the third quarter for a 14 yard loss. Fiedler was intercepted twice in the fourth quarter.

Rush Defense: The Jets held the Dolphins to a total of 78 rushing yards. Starting running back Sammy Morris finished with only 48 rushing yards. The longest rush for the Dolphins was Jay Fiedler's 26-yard rush in the fourth quarter.