Dolphins Muster Ugly Comeback Win to Stay in Playoff Race

Sometimes being the better team doesn’t lead to results that signify just how much more talented the more successful team is. A perfect example was Monday night, when the Miami Dolphins defeated the New York Jets, 16-13.

Miami’s victory was ugly, as the Dolphins were beaten in the trenches for the second consecutive week. The Jets offense totaled 277 yards on a whopping 49 carries, bringing new meaning to the concept of physical domination. The duo of Chris Johnson and Chris Ivory punished the Dolphins’ front seven for 167 combined rushing yards and nearly carried the Jets to victory.

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Dolphins: win snaps 5-game losing streak on Monday Night Football

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) December 2, 2014"

Luckily for the Dolphins, Geno Smith is the Jets’ quarterback, and he’s reaching a similar status as EJ Manuel did with the Buffalo Bills this year. The Jets can barely function on offense because Smith is mentally unable to process what defenses are throwing at him.

Smith attempted just 13 passes, with his final attempt resulting in an interception off of a tipped ball by safety Reshad Jones. Dolphins defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle called for extra pressure on Smith by sending rushers up the middle of the offensive line. Smith fell into Coyle’s trap when he threw into triple coverage, leading to the Jones pick.

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Jets running the ball in the first half: 29 attempts, 210 yards. In the second half: 20 attempts, 67 yards.

— Bill Barnwell (@billbarnwell) December 2, 2014"

Coyle’s defense looked largely unprepared and disinterested in the first half, when the Jets were busy breaking off runs for chunk gains. But the second half brought more eight-man defensive fronts and better execution by the Dolphins personnel.

More specifically, linebacker Jelani Jenkins and safety Reshad Jones each proved why they have been key members of the defense. Jenkins accounted for 16 total tackles, two tackles for loss and a big hit on Smith, according to ESPN.com. Jones had 11 tackles, two tackles behind the line of scrimmage, a pass deflection and, of course, the game-clinching interception.

Miami’s offense also stepped up after a dreadful first half that was marred by poor trench play. The Dolphins’ 13 second-half points and game-winning field goal with less than two minutes to go was sprung by a number of clutch passes by quarterback Ryan Tannehill.

Tannehill missed on a few passes that have been added to his arsenal this season, but he logged his fifth straight game in which he completed at least 70 percent of his passes.

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Per ESPN,Tannehill's 5 games in row with 70% or higher completion % tied with Favre for 3rd-longest last 10 years.P. Manning 6 in row twice.

— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) December 2, 2014"

The Dolphins offense finally got help via the clutch stop by the defense on a cold, rainy night in New York. Winning isn’t easy in the NFL, but it’s important, and Miami now sits at 7-5.

With the Baltimore Ravens coming to Sun Life Stadium next week, Miami needs to move on quickly from this Jets game. Miami currently sits in possession of the final AFC wild-card spot, and if they beat the Ravens, 10 total wins are certainly attainable. That would put Miami into great position to make the postseason.

Ian Wharton is a Miami Dolphins Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report, contributor for Optimum Scouting, and analyst for eDraft. 

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