Dolphins Complete Sweep of Jets
Ryan Fitzpatrick's return to the starting lineup ended in a victory for the Miami Dolphins, but it was the defense that led the way.
Cornerbacks Nik Needham and Xavie Howard each had an interception, linebacker Elandon Roberts stuffed Frank Gore on a fourth-and-1 and the Dolphins outlasted the New York Jets 20-3 at MetLife Stadium to complete the season sweep.
The victory was the sixth in seven games for the Dolphins (7-4).
Fitzpatrick started in place of rookie Tua Tagovailoa, who missed the game because of a thumb injury, and threw touchdown passes to tight ends Mike Gesicki and Adam Shaheen.
“I thought Ryan played well," head coach Brian Flores said. "He made enough plays to help us win the game. He spread the ball around to a number of different receivers. Obviously, there are always things he can do better and we can do better as an offense, as a defense, as a special teams, as coaches, but he made enough plays to help us win.”
Fitzpatrick hooked up with Gesicki for a 13-yard touchdown in the second quarter and connected with Shaheen for a 7-yard score on third-and-5 midway through the fourth quarter.
Kicker Jason Sanders made field goals of 54 and 51 yards, extending his streak of successful attempts on kicks of 50 yards or longer to 10 dating back to last season.
Howard's NFL-best seventh interception of the season came in the fourth quarter.
“Turnovers are such a big part of this game," Fitzpatrick said. "It’s momentum, it’s field position, it’s just confidence overall. We don’t take that for granted on offense that they’re doing that, creating those turnovers, because we know it’s difficult to do, and they’ve been really good at it. It’s a great feeling to be sitting on the bench, looking at the tablet and somebody handing you your helmet and saying, 'Hey, we’re back up. X got another interception.' It’s unbelievable. He’s always around the ball. He’s always got his hands on the ball. He’s a pretty special player in that regard.”
The Jets' only points came on a 38-yard field goal by Sergio Castillo to conclude the first drive of the game. Castillo missed a 29-yard attempt wide right on the last play of the first half.
Fitzpatrick made his first start since the first Dolphins-Jets game Oct. 18 when the Dolphins won 24-0 for their second of five consecutive victories.
Fitzpatrick completed 24 of 39 passes for 257 yards and had a passer rating of 97.9. He had a 12-yard run for a first down late in the fourth quarter.
“It’s kind of been the story of my career," Fitzpatrick said. "It’s been so up and down and I’m in the lineup, and I’m out of the lineup, and I’m back in. For me, just trying to stay steady, just trying to provide the team with leadership and going out there when my number’s called and playing well, and that’s what I had to try to do in this situation. I tell you guys the same thing every time I come off the field. I love playing, I love being out there. It was fun to be out there today.”
Wide receiver DeVante Parker had eight catches for a season-high 119 yards.
Sam Darnold returned at quarterback for the Jets, who remained winless on the season with their 11th consecutive loss.
Darnold, who missed the previous two games with a shoulder injury, was 16-of-27 for 197 yards with no touchdowns and the two interceptions.
Veteran Frank Gore rushed for a season-high 74 yards, including 60 in the first half.
Along with Tagovailoa, the Dolphins played without their two rushing leaders — Myles Gaskin and Salvon Ahmed.
Two of the three running backs in the lineup, Patrick Laird and Matt Breida, lost fumbles in the third quarter, but the Jets were unable to capitalize on the two turnovers in Miami territory.
The second of those opportunities ended when Roberts shot through the gap at the line of scrimmage and met Gore head on in the backfield.
“It’s big, as a defense when it comes down to those fourth-and-1s; it’s a lot on the mentality," Roberts said. "I look at it like, if a team wants to run the ball on fourth-and-1, it’s more so disrespectful as a defense and it tests your defense. As weeks been going, we’ve been getting real good in those situations, and I had the opportunity to make a play for my team and was able to make it and execute.”
The Jets put together an impressive opening drive, but they had to settle for the field goal after rookie safety Brandon Jones sacked Darnold on third-and-2 from the 11-yard line.
The Dolphins took the lead for good when Fitzpatrick's touchdown pass to Gesicki capped an 88-yard drive and broke a 3-3 tie.
The defense did the rest from there, as the Dolphins followed the formula that's put them in the thick of the AFC playoff race.
“I thought we played well defensively," Flores said. "We got some turnovers. Josh (Boyer) called a great game really throughout. We had some sudden-change situations with some turnovers. We were able to get ourselves off the field. We got a big stop on the fourth-and-one in the red zone. Obviously, keeping them out of the end zone is always a great accomplishment in this league. We had some turnovers, a big stop on fourth-and-1. I thought Josh called a great game. He’s done a great job really the entire year. I think often times you give me too much credit. Josh has done a great job the entire year.”
