New York Jets Vs. Miami Dolphins Quick Hits

Dec 22, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith (7) during warmups for their game against the Cleveland Browns at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

The Jets finished the season strong by avenging a brutal loss to the Dolphins earlier in the season while keeping Miami out of the playoffs. The Jets finished the season 8-8. A very important offseason awaits but here is how they won today:

1) Geno Smith continues his growth and has plenty to build on going into the offseason- Geno Smith looked masterful in guiding the Jets to back to back first half touchdowns. He has mastered the art of when to scramble and when to hang in the pocket. His throws are confident and frozen ropes. He put a ball right into Nelson’s hands from 30 yards away. His accuracy early was not there as he got comfortable but after the feeling out process Smith came on strong.The offensive line gave him a clean pocket for the most part and he has not been sacked which was the key to him finding a rhythm. In the second half after a couple of 3 and outs Smith led the Jets on a six minute drive. The only knock on Smith’s day is on that drive he missed a wide open Nelson for a touchdown that would have put the Jets up 14 in the 4th quarter. The field goal subsequent was no good so they got no points on that drive and kept Miami in the game. That mistake didn’t weigh on Smith the very next drive the team went on another long drive that culminated in a Nick Folk field goal from 35 yards away. Smith finished 17/27 for 191 yards with no turnovers and one rushing touchdown. Smith had seven carries for 47 yards and a touchdown. He was in control of the game and has clearly progressed in the last month of the season.

2) Marty Mornhinweg called an excellent 1st half and made the most of the weapons he does have – The offensive line was the star of the show allowing a good running game and keeping Geno Smith clean with no sacks. In addition to Smith’s play in the 1st half it was a balanced attack. Powell had 76 yards on 21 carries and a halfback pass to Jeff Cumberland, Ivory had 19 yards and five carries but left the game with an injury, Tommy Bohanon had two key carries for 12 yards as well. The wide receivers did their part too. Nelson had three catches for 61 yards including a 31 yard reception that set up the touchdown at the end of the half, Santonio Holmes had 3 catches for 41 yards and Jeremy Kerley had 5 catches for 40 yards while the tight ends each contributed a big play with Winslow’s lone catch being for 34 yards and Cumberland’s for 31 off of the aforementioned halfback option. Sheldon Richardson had a touchdown and they ran a play with Richardson, Kenrick Ellis and Damon Harrison all in the backfield.

3) Still no pressure on Tannehill – Ryan Tannehill was able to pick the Jets apart in the 1st half because the Jets pass rush could not even get close to him. Miami’s offensive line has allowed over 50 sacks but they have played well against the Jets. Coples has been the most consistent at getting pressure but Wilkerson, Richardson and Pace haven’t been close. Demario Davis came free on a blitz but couldn’t get Tannehill down before he threw his touchdown pass. If it weren’t for drops and errant passes the Dolphins could have had two more touchdowns.

Dec 22, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon (rear) goes up for the ball between New York Jets cornerback Dee Milliner (27) and defensive back Aaron Berry (22) during the game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

4) Secondary got carved up again in the 1st half but settled down in the second half – Tannehill was 10/22 for 118 yards and a touchdown and no interceptions in the 1st half. Don’t let the completion percentage fool you there were many plays left out there such as an overthrown pass to Wallace where he had Milliner beat by three yards and Hartline was missed a few times. Rishard Matthews was also able to have his way in the middle of the field. Harris and Davis have been terrible in coverage. Cromartie got faked out on a route he jumped that Hartline then reversed that Tannehill then sailed over his head. Milliner was targeted in the 1st half and had some good breakups but he got beat cleanly on the Wallace touchdown and was beaten by Wallace again but the pass was overthrown. Milliner had a great pass breakup on a deep throw on one play in the 3rd quarter and then intercepted the next ball to Wallace on a great break on the ball. Milliner also had the game ending interception for his first multi-interception game. All told Milliner had a good game on Wallace despite a couple of mistakes. Ed Reed made his second pick as a Jet late in the 4th quarter off of a tipped ball. Miami was five for their first seven on 3rd downs before missing six of their final seven opportunities.  Kyle Wilson left this game with a knee injury.

5) Quigley had a great day but the rest of the special teams unit did not – Ryan Quigley had three punts inside the 20 with two of them pinning Miami inside their own 11 yard line. The one that was returned was a good return because of a missed tackle. Quigley actually outputted Pro Bowl punter Brian Fields of the Dolphins. The coverage team missed tackle after tackle allowing a 30+ yard kickoff return and a 12 yard punt return that could have been prevented. Nick Folk missed a key 35 yard field goal that would have given the Jets a two score lead in the 4th quarter. He then redeemed himself by hitting from the exact same spot on the next drive.

6) Rex Ryan’s job status reports – According to reports it is looking more and more like Rex Ryan will return as head coach of the Jets. The remaining snags are that John Idzik wants coaching changes on the defensive staff and Rex Ryan wants an extension. The Jets haven’t reached out to candidates or hired a search firm so all signs point to Rex being back. Unless Ryan is too stubborn to let some of his trusted staff members go this should happen.