Monday Morning Quarterback: New York Jets vs. Miami Dolphins

Dec 28, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan (right) greets Miami Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin (left) before their game at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Now how about that for a season-ending win, ladies and gentlemen? The Jets won it for their embattled head coach, Rex Ryan. They spoiled the Dolphins opportunity at a winning season, dropping them to 8-8 with a 37-24 victory. The defense did it Rex Ryan style, posting seven sacks. We even had some “trickeration”. Let’s talk about it, the “happy recap”, as it were.

Since there is a picture of Rex right above, how about that fake punt he called to seal the deal yesterday? Rex Ryan does not typically take credit for play calls, unless they are on defense. For him to take credit for the call means he made it, and it was a great call. It fooled everyone, Ryan Quigley lofted a perfect pass to Zach Sudfeld, and the Jets were in business, when we thought they were going to give it away.

By the way, what was with the media during the post game? I know they have to find things to write about, so do I. But, what part of him not answering did they not understand? Rex made it abundantly clear, that yesterday was about his Jets players, not about him. But they kept going. I guess some of the New York media thinks they can make him answer their way. Oh, well.

Let’s talk about some Geno Smith.

Dec 28, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith (7) throws a pass in the second half at Sun Life Stadium. The Jets defeated Miami 37-24. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports

Where did THIS come from? Who dressed up in a Geno Smith jersey yesterday? Smith was terrific! Well, he still needs to be more careful with the football. The fumble on the scramble was very classic Geno. He looked like a waiter bringing a platter to a table, not even holding it like a loaf of bread. There is no way to justify holding the football away from your body like that. But he did rebound from that, and play a great game for the Jets, didn’t he?

20-25, 358 yards and three touchdowns. You can’t play a whole lot better than that. Geno Smith made great decisions with the football, and hit the open man with solid throws. Where was this connection with Eric Decker? Why couldn’t that happen for us all year long?

221 yards? Now I want to hear from all of the fans and experts that said he is not a number one wide receiver. 74 receptions, 962 yards, and five touchdowns is a great year posted by Decker for his first year with the Jets, considering the quarterback play for most of the year.

Dec 28, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; New York Jets tight end

Jeff Cumberland

(85) is wide open for the touchdown in the second half at Sun Life Stadium. The Jets defeated Miami 37-24. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports

One thing I particularly liked, was that this Jets team finally went in for the kill. Up three late, the Jets were running the football, as predictably as always. It came to the fourth down, when the fake punt to Sudfeld set them up with a first down. Geno Smith went in for the kill, hitting Jeff Cumberland for the game-icing touchdown pass, putting the Jets up by 10.

Instead of playing it safe, and hoping the defense would hold on to the win, the offense was given the opportunity, and went in for the kill. I wish it could have happened sooner, maybe things would have been different.

Dec 28, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA;New York Jets inside linebacker

David Harris

(52) sacks Miami Dolphins quarterback

Ryan Tannehill

(17) in the first quarter at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports

The pass rush was scary. I don’t remember the last time the Jets were able to post seven sacks in a game, do any of you? If they could have done that earlier in the season, I might have won my fantasy football title, but that is for another discussion.

Ryan Tannehill was hit, hit, and then hit again. David Harris accounted for 2.5 of the sacks, ending his season, and possibly his New York Jets career on a high note. The Jets defense went out in great Rex Ryan style.

Dec 28, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins running back

Lamar Miller

(26) stiff arms New York Jets cornerback

Marcus Williams

(22) during the first half at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

The only real surprise with regards to the defense was the run defense. Rex Ryan said that it took him a full quarter to get over the 97 yard touchdown run by Lamar Miller. Very shocking.