New York Jets’ Top Ten Moments of 2013: Number Seven

Dec 29, 2013; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; New York Jets running back

(33) is brought down by Miami Dolphins defensive end

(50) and

(52) and

(55) during the first half of the game at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports

As we move towards the Senior Bowl, free agency, and the NFL draft, let’s continue our look back at the 2013 season. Specifically, we are counting down the top ten moments of 2013. Sometimes, it’s hard to find these types of moments with a team that ran an 8-8 record. But, the Jets had enough moments to make out a full list.

So let’s get right to moment number seven:

WEEK 17: JETS SPOIL MIAMI’S PLAYOFF HOPES

The Jets were coming off of a well-played final home game against the Cleveland Browns. They went to Miami to face a Dolphins team that had slim, but still active hopes of making the playoffs. Miami needed a lot of help to get in, but nothing else mattered if they didn’t beat the Jets.

Well, they didn’t beat the Jets. The Jets posted two rushing touchdowns in the second quarter, one by Sheldon Richardson and one by Geno Smith. Two late field goals by the “Folk Hero”, Nick Folk, gave the Jets a 20-7 win.

Why did this game make the list? Because of the momentum, of the taste it left in the team’s mouth as the season came to an end. First of all, the Jets won two games in a row, which as we all know, hadn’t happened all season prior to this week. Oh, they were able to lose more than one in a row, but couldn’t win two in a row. Ending the season winning two in a row shows the team they CAN do it, and leaves them riding high.

The Jets had been quite bad on the road in 2013. Other than beating the Falcons, and nearly beating the Patriots, the Jets were very weak on the road. Coming into this one, the Jets had only recorded one win on the road. Another loss to a division rival would have not left a good feeling around the team coming out of 2013. A strong win on the road shows the team how they had begun to come around. A team that can win on the road has the ability to make some noise, and that is what they left themselves with.

Beating Miami at the end of the season was a MAJOR step forward for the Jets, and for that reason, it belongs in the top ten.