DOLPHINS PULL OUT LAST MINUTE VICTORY OVER JETS

The Miami Dolphins survived five lead changes in the final quarter to defeat the New York Jets in a back and forth Monday Night Football contest.  Running back Ronnie Brown took a direct snap and scored on a two yard keeper with six seconds left to secure the victory for Miami by a 31-27 final score.  The Dolphins gained 110 yards with their vaunted ‘Wildcat’ offense, including the decisive touchdown.  Miami raised its 2009 NFL record to 2-3 with the victory, while the Jets dropped to 3-2.

To successfully bet on NFL football it’s crucial to find ‘live’ home underdogs, and the Dolphins delivered the money for their backers in that role.  Miami’s outright win as +3 home dogs improved their ATS record to 2-3, while the Jets fell to 3-2 against the money.  The 58 combined points scored went well OVER the posted total of 35’.  It was only the Jets’ second OVER in five games this season, while Miami has exceeded the total on three occasions.

After the game, Jets’ coach Rex Ryan was aggravated at the repeated success of the ‘Wildcat’ and blamed poor execution on the part of his defense:

"I used to see all those gimmicks when I was coaching back in college. I've been a part of some bad performances before on defense, just not this bad."

The Dolphins’ Brown credited execution and timely play calling with securing the victory:

"Like anything else, if you execute, good things will happen.  

Down by three with the final seconds ticking away, Brown said that going for the tie wasn’t an option:

“We were in the huddle and said, 'We've got to score a touchdown. No settling for field goals. We've got to finish the game.'"

The running play that resulted in the touchdown was a surprise play call, but Miami defensive tackle Jason Ferguson had an irrefutable response for second guessers:

"That's why we are players and not coaches. All of us were talking about, 'Why won't you pass it?' Because we got a touchdown, that's why."

The Dolphins’ QB Chad Henne looked very sharp in only his second NFL start, throwing for 241 yards and two touchdowns against no interceptions.  His Jets’ counterpart, rookie Mark Sanchez finished with 172 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions.  Afterwards, Jets’ linebacker Calvin Pace said his unit’s poor play made it easy for Henne:

"We made him look like Dan Marino. They did what they want, and they did it at will."

Miami will enjoy a week off before returning to action on October 25th as they host the New Orleans Saints.  They’ll then play two games on the road, a rematch against the Jets on November 1st and a trip to New England one week later.  The Jets will take on the lowly Buffalo Bills at The Meadowlands this Sunday.  The Jets are -9’ home favorites with the total set at 38.  They’ll take on another NFL bottom feeder the following Sunday, traveling to Oakland to take on the Raiders before returning home for the aforementioned return date against the Dolphins.