Fins Blind Jets With Science In Monday Night Thriller

Chad, Pat, Ronnie, And Ricky, oh my! The Miami Dolphins, playing at home in Land Shark Stadium, stunned the NY Jets 31-27 in a thriller of a Monday Night Football game. Featuring a see saw battle that saw five lead changes, Dolphins RB Ronnie BrownRonnie Brown capped off an amazing fourth quarter for the Fins with a 2 yard TD plunge with six ticks left on the game clock after the Fins marched down the field using two different QB's and some Wildcat magic to seal the victory for Miami.

The game got off to a fast start as the Dolphins, starting at their own 20, went almost directly to the Wildcat offense, with RB Ronnie Brown taking a direct snap, rolling out and delivering a strike to TE Anthony Fasano for a 21 yard gain. The Dolphins had the Jets defense reeling as they went down the field and scored on a 1 yard TD dive from RB Brown.

The Jets started their first series slow, seeming to go three and out. However, Jets Punter Weatherford bobbled the snap, then took off running down the sideline for 26 yards and a Jets first down as the Fins special teams looked on in disbelief. Rejuvenated, Jets QB Mark SanchezMark Sanchez took his team down the field, aided by a huge pass interference call, and delivered a 3 yard TD pass to brand new Jet Braylon Edwards. The Jets would again pull off a fourth down fake punt in the second quarter that led to a Jets field goal.

The game slowed a bit in the third quarter, with the two teams trading punts and the score sitting at 13-10 in the Jets favor. But then came an unbelievable fourth quarter that had MNF announcer Jon GrudenJon Gruden saying that he was having the best time of his life.

The final quarter started with the Dolphins at the Jets doorstep, after having driven down the field as the 3rd quarter wore down. Fins QB Chad HenneChad Henne would find TE Fasano for a 2 yard TD toss. The celebration was short-lived, however, as, after the ensuing kickoff, Jets QB Mark Sanchez delivered a deep pass to WR David Clowney good for 53 yards. After an intentional grounding penalty on Sanchez, he immediately bounced back with a beautiful 35 yard toss to - guess who - new Jet Braylon Edwards for what seemed to be a TD. However, the alert Miami booth saw that Edwards' shin was down before the ball crossed the plane of the goal line and threw the challenge flag, which was upheld. Jets RB Thomas JonesThomas Jones then promptly took the ball into the endzone on a 1 yard run to give the Jets a 20-17 lead.

On the very next series, the Dolphins answered the Jets long toss with one of their own, as Henne hit Ted Ginn Jr. on a 53-yard pass over the middle for a TD, bringing the score to 24-20 in Miami's favor. The teams then traded punts, first the Jets then the Fins. With 6:55 left in the fourth quarter, the Jets took over possesion on their own 37. After an 8 yard scamper by RB Jones and a short pass to Braylon Edwards, the Dolphins once again shot themselves in the foot by giving up a 49 yard pass interference call on a deep incomplete pass from Sanchez to Edwards. Thomas Jones then took the ball into the endzone from 3 yards out, regaining the lead for the Jets, 27-24.

That setup the game winning drive by the Dolphins as they took over the ball after the kickoff on their own 30 yard line with 5:12 left to play in the game. The drive started out with an 8 yard pass from Henne to Ricky WilliamsRicky Williams, who got out of bounds to stop the clock. Williams then took a direct snap from Wildcat formation and ran around the left end for another 15 yards. The Dolphins then brought in QB Pat White who handed off to RB Brown for 6 yards, then stayed in and ran a QB draw from the shoutgun for 6 more yards. The FIns once again went with the Wildcat, as Brown took the direct snap and handed off to Williams, who ran for 6 yards. Williams left the game after this play with a gimpy left leg.

After a short gain from Brown, Henne hit Greg Camarillo for 14 yards, bringing the Dolphins to the Jet 16 yard line. QB Pat White then came back in the game to hand off to Brown for no gain. Henne checked back in on the next play and threw an incomlete pass, but followed that up with another toss to Camarillo good for 12 yards, bringing the Fins to the Jet 4 yard line.

On first and goal from the Jet four, the Dolphins went to the Wildcat yet again, as RB Brown took the direct snap for 2 yards. Miami then called a timout with :17 on the game clock. On second and goal, Henne threw an incomplete pass to Anthony Fasano, stopping the clock. Deciding to finish a wild fourth quarter with more Wildcat madness, Ronnie Brown took a direct snap, faked a handoff to Ricky Williams, who was headed around the right end, then took the ball up the middle 2 yards for a TD. The Jets got the ball back with :06 left - just enough time to through one desperation Hail Mary that fell untouched short of the endzone.

For the Jets rushing game, Leon Washington had 10 carries for 44 yards and one reception for 13 yards, while counterpart Thomas Jones had 13 carries for 42 yards and 2 TD's. Jets WR David Clowney had 4 receptions for 74 yards (including a 53 yard catch), and new Jet Braylon Edwards looked right at home, making his presence felt with 5 receptions for 64 yards and a TD. Sanchez seemed to like his new WR, as he targeted Edwards 9 times in the game.

For the Dolphins two-headed monster RB attack, Ronnie Brown had 21 carries for 74 yards and 2 TD's, adding 3 receptions for 14 yards. Ricky Williams had 11 carries for 68 yards, and added 3 receptions for 70 yards, including a beautiful 59 yard catch and run. Williams led the Dolphins in receiving, followed by Ted Ginn Jr., who had 2 receptions for 57 yards and a TD. Anthony Fasano had 4 catches for 38 yards and a TD also.

Henne Vs. Sanchise

The game showcased two young QB's with a grand total of 5 professional starts between them. Miami's Chad Henne, who has taken over QB duties for the Dolphins after Chad Pennington's year, and possibly career, was ended by a shoulder injury, went 20/26 for 241 yards, 2 TD's, and a 130.4 passer rating. The Jets Mark Sanchez had a more pedestrian outing, ending the night 12/24 for 172 yards, 1 TD, and an 87.5 passer rating. Neither QB had a turnover.

Sanchez looked good on some plays, but once again looked like the rookie he is while being pressured by the Minami defense. At this point, though Sanchez does show flashes of what is to come, the young QB is being heavily bolstered by a good running game and a great defense. He is clearly not yet ready to shoulder the full load. After a fast 3-0 start, the Jets have now fallen to 3-2. They should gain some ground back in the next two weeks, facing Buffalo at home and then the hapless Raiders in Oakland. This sets up a re-match with the Dolphins at Giant Stadium on November 1, a game that could prove pivotal for both teams.

Dolphins QB Chad Henne looked very good while directing the Fins Wildcat attack. Henne's throws were crisp and accurate, and he showed on several plays that he can gun the ball when he has to. That being said, Henne also has the benefit of a great running attack in the duo of Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams. Henne showed good poise while facing Rex Ryans defense, especially on 3rd and longs, where Ryan likes to run exotic blitzes and attack the QB. Henne stood in the pocket and made his checkdowns nicely, hitting the hot routes with blitzing Jets in his face. Henne, like Sanchez, was also helped out by inspired defensive play by the Dolphins.

While both QB's are young and have a long way to go, the both showed they have immense talent and ability. We may have seen just the first in a budding rivalry between the two youngsters. Just as the Jets are Sanchez's team, Chad Henne made a statement on Monday night that the Dolphins are now his team to lead. However, Henne has very little time to rest on his laurels. The Dolphins have a bye in week 6, then will be at home to face Drew BreesDrew Brees, Pierre Thomas, Marques Colston, and the high powered, surging New Orleans Saints on October 25th before traveling to Giant Stadium for their re-match with the Jets.

Jets Defense Exposed?

While the Jets lost to the high powered Saints, they lost because of Mark Sanchez showing he is a rookie QB in the NFL who does make mistakes. The Jets defense, on the other hand, played a great game in the loss, holding superstar QB Drew Brees to a very human 20/32 for 190 yards and no TD's, while allowing one rushing TD from Pierre Thomas. Things looked different against the Dolphins on Monday night. The Jets defense seemed at times to be out of synch and a bit confused by the Dolphins constantly changing packages and looks.

The Jets D had some success getting pressure on Dolphins QB Chad Henne, especially on 3rd and longs, which is something of a Jets trademark. Rex Ryan loves to get opposing teams in this situation, and loves to throw everyone at the opposing QB in that situation. However, the Dolphins gave the Jets very few of these situations. And when they did, Chad Henne was able to, for the most part, handle the pressure by stepping up in th epocket, or utilizing rollouts with his linemen sprinting out to protect him.

It is almost assured the other teams the Jets will be facing in upcoming games will be studying the film of this game and trying to take advantage of the chinks that seem to have appeared in the Jets defense. Ironically, the next real test of the Jets defense will come against the Dolphins in November. It will be most interesting to see what adjustments each team will make when they next meet.