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The Miami Dolphins went into East Rutherford, NJ and put a primetime spanking on the New York Jets. The win clinched at least a winning season for the team. Its first since 2008.
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A lot of players stepped up on Saturday night but five players in particular stole the show. With the win the Dolphins now hold the 6th seed awaiting the outcome of the Denver Broncos and New England Patriots later today. But for now, it’s all about the Dolphins sweeping the Jets.
Number five: Ndamukong Suh
Suh was as disruptive as he has been all season on Saturday night. Consistently breaking down the pass protection of the offensive line and creating poor throwing lanes for both Bryce Petty and later Ryan Fitzpatrick. Suh finished the game with 4 tackles and 1 assist but it was the disruptive nature of his evening that earned him a spot on this list. He was also involved on the dual hit with Cameron Wake that put Petty out of the game.
Number four: Walt Aikens
For the 2nd consecutive week Aikens made a game changing play on special teams. Last week Aikens blocked an extra point that was taken back for two points against the Cardinals and against the Jets last night, Aikens blocked a Jets punt and returned the ball into the end zone for touchdown. The play gave the Dolphins a lot more breathing room in what was at the time, a close game.
Number three: Tony Lippett
Lippett nabbed two interceptions Saturday night including the final pass of the game. It was his first INT that was far more impressive as he laid out on a deep route and took the ball out of the air. Lippett was solid in coverage most of the night and again his INT’s helped secure a Dolphins victory.
Number two: Cameron Wake
Wake could easily be number one here. He harassed the Jets quarterbacks all night, recorded a strip sack and for the first time in his NFL career, got an interception. Wake was in beast mode all night and it was clear that the Dolphins were playing to win all night and Wake was the leader on defense all night long.
Number one: Matt Moore
Moore’s night wasn’t perfect but his four touchdowns was far more than anyone thought would have occurred. The Jets defense stacked the line to stop the run and make Miami win on the arm of Moore and Moore took advantage of it. He had a few passes that were thrown too short and finished the night with one interception but he finished 12 of 18 for 236 yards. Not bad for a guy who hasn’t started in five years.
Honorable mentions:
Number 5: Xavien Howard
It’s hard to imaging that Howard has missed almost his entire rookie season. Against Brandon Marshall, Howard looked very good most of the time and had two very nice pass break-ups.
Number 4: Isa Abdul-Quddus
Forget about the two penalties, one of which was not a penalty, IAQ had one sack and four tackles.
Number 3: Dion Sims
Sims only caught four passes on the night for 31 yards but two of them went for touchdowns and one was a very good route adjustment on a underthrown pass between two defenders for 28 yards that set up one of this scores.
Number 2: The offensive line
The Dolphins offensive line couldn’t block for a rushing yard it seemed but they did a very good job at keeping Matt Moore upright and in the pocket. Unlike Tannehill, Moore doesn’t roll out much and instead tends to step up in the pocket. The Oline did very well in pass protection as Moore was only sacked once.
Number 1: DolfansNYC
When the announcers of a game start laughing because the chanting of “Lets Go Dolphins” can be heard thundering in the booth, you know you are doing something right. The annual Metlife Takeover brought 1,000 Dolphins fans to Metlife and they were loud. And it did not go unnoticed by the announcers or the viewers at home. It had to be heartbreaking for the Jets fans in attendance.
