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Here goes something you never thought you’d read: Chad Pennington and the Miami Dolphins diced the New York Jets for over 250 passing yards and two touchdowns...

Jets-Dolphins: Miami Keeps It Close Until the End

by Angel Navedo (Senior Writer)

16

725 reads

Game Recap

September 07, 2008


Here goes something you never thought you’d read:

Chad Pennington and the Miami Dolphins diced the New York Jets for over 250 passing yards and two touchdowns.

It’d be a little easy to write about how Chad Pennington’s efforts in the fourth quarter culminated in an interception by Darrelle Revis. But that would be unfair to his performance. The man played well.

The New York Jets’ defense allowed Pennington to connect with TE Anthony Fasano eight times for 84 yards and a touchdown. Fasano is a very good athlete, and all signs are pointing to him being the big-body threat for Pennington.

Going into Sunday’s game, common belief was that the Dolphins would make their statement in the running game. However, Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown combined for only 47 yards on 16 carries.

If the Dolphins expect Chad Pennington to be nothing more than a game manager, the running game will need to produce better results. Pennington was able to put up some impressive numbers because he was running high on emotion—when that fades, the Dolphins will need the running game to establish any kind of consistency.

With that said, the Dolphins’ defense didn’t play as terribly as expected. Will Allen and Yeremiah Bell played very well in coverage. Channing Crowder’s seven-tackle performance was also admirable.

However, in the end, the New York Jets proved to be too much for them.

The Jets' defense put out a fairly strong performance. As mentioned, Miami's run game was shut down, forcing them to completely abandon it later in the game. The pass rush worked well to disturb Pennington’s timing.

Vernon Gholston actually found his way into the backfield and applied pressure, as did David Harris. Kris Jenkins did everything fans expected the 360-pound nose tackle to do. Shaun Ellis, Calvin Pace, and Bryan Thomas combined to record four sacks.

Bryan Thomas’ performance was a much-needed sigh of relief for Jets fans, after his offseason confession. Admitting to the loss of ferocity after signing a new contract, Thomas was on a very short leash. Recording two sacks in the first game provides him with a much-needed cushion in the “what have you done for me lately” world of the NFL.

Despite allowing Chad Pennington to move the chains and hit a rhythm in the fourth quarter, the Jets’ secondary played well.

Rookie Dwight Lowery responded to the challenge, as Chad Pennington targeted him in passing situations. Lowery did allow a touchdown to TE David Martin, but his recovery skills, as he deflected passes, were much more impressive.

The aforementioned interception by Darrelle Revis also came at a crucial time, when the Dolphins were threatening a victory in the final seconds.

On the offensive side of the ball, Thomas Jones took advantage of a weak Miami defense and a new offensive line. Jones ran for 101 yards on 22 carries, found his way to the end zone, and matched his rushing touchdown total from last season. Jones squeezed through defenders and bounced for tough yards when needed.

With some fans questioning Jones’ ability, he really needed to take advantage of the circumstances in this game. Hopefully, his performance serves as a building point that will set the tone for the rest of the season.

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16 comments Last one added 10 months ago — Leave a Comment

  1. Bruce Dickenson 10 months ago

    It wasn't that close. You know what scares me? The Bills!

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    • Angel Navedo 10 months ago

      I agree. I think Buffalo is a really good team.

      But you can't honestly tell me you didn't get nervous at the end. Chad looked like he might lead a come-from-behind victory in the final minute for.. the first time in his career.

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  2. Michael Voyer 10 months ago

    go jets

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  3. Michael Voyer 10 months ago

    go jets

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  4. Sean Crowe 10 months ago

    I'd be worried about the Bills if I were the Jets. They looked like world-beaters. And they were playing a much, much better team than the Pats or Jets were playing.

    That second TD pass is the reason people like me always crap on Favre. That could have just as easily been picked as it was caught...bad decision, never should have thrown it. And it probably would have been picked if he weren't playing against a 1-15 defense.

    That said, if Brady's out next week (and we can assume he will be) the Jets have a great shot at 2-0....

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    • Angel Navedo 10 months ago

      I want to hate that play, too, but it's about time things go in favor of my Jets!

      Yahoo! reported Brady to be out for the season, but I'm not going to lean in any direction till the team confirms he's on IR.

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    • Vinny Gazzara 10 months ago

      I think the only reason they did that was because Nungent was hurt and they didnt trust Graham to kick a FG.

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  5. Shaun Ahmad 10 months ago

    The Jets would have been in trouble if they lost to the Dolphins with their upcoming schedule, as you mentioned. It's funny how those lobs/prayers only work for Favre. Any other quarterback would have been intercepted and boo'd out of New York. But with Favre, sure enough, a touchdown. Figures.

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  6. Mike Craig 10 months ago

    That is the wonderful thing that I like to call Brett Favre my friend.

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  7. Vincent Robleto 10 months ago

    Brett Favre isn't afraid to let it fly, I predict he'll have as many interceptions as TD's.

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  8. Daniel Smith 10 months ago

    hey angel and all jets fans lol. i went to the game agianst the dolphins we have some great pictures if any of you guys want some let me know at nysmith9@hotmail.com. good article keep it rolling

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  9. Daniel Muth 10 months ago

    Hail Mary's or no, Favre played very well. Considering some dropped balls and the fact that he doesn't even know the offense yet, he was putting the ball on the money. Thomas Jones looked sharp, and I liked how he was both patient and then explosive through the hole. All in all, the Jets looked OK, and should've won that game by a larger discrepancy.

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  10. Nick Deplitch 10 months ago

    First, great article.

    This game was closer than I would have liked. The Jets really got lucky at the end. Revis could have just as easily handed the ball to Ginn as he should have just KNOCKED IT DOWN!

    Nugent's injury had quite an impact. A missed 32 yard FG, then a TD on what should have been a FG opportunity and a missed 2 point conversion. If he would have just made both FGs, then the Jets score the same amount of points, but the Jets were forced to play part of the game without a kicker surrendering good field position to Miami.

    The Jets have a lot to clean up before a home match with a vunerable Patriots team.

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  11. Trey Killeen 10 months ago

    Nice article. I'm a big Jets fan too.
    I would have liked to see them win by more, but a win is a win. I think it wasn't a good decision to go for 2 after that touchdown. There has to be somebody on that team who can make and extra point, I can make an extra point. I was kinda let down when they didnt let kellen clemens attempt that next PAT, haha.

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  12. Enlai Pensado 10 months ago

    Good article.
    I'm worried that Chad keeps his problems in red zone, and Ted Ginn should be more efficient opening from his coverage.

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