National Football League

Dolphins observations: A win's a win for playoff-hopeful Miami

Published Dec. 2, 2014 12:48 a.m. ET

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It wasn't pretty, but the Miami Dolphins got the job done.

With postseason hopes on the line, the Dolphins erased a 10-point deficit to beat the rival New York Jets 16-13 Monday night at MetLife Stadium.

The same team that spoiled Miami's playoffs chances in last year's finale nearly did the same thing for a national audience until Miami outscored New York 10-0 in the fourth quarter (13-3 after halftime). In five previous Monday night meetings in New Jersey between these two teams, the Jets had won each. These teams will close out the regular season Dec. 28 at Sun Life Stadium.

For Miami (7-5), the victory allowed them to keep pace in the playoff race, and, according to Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press, it marked the time since Oct. 17, 1999, the Dolphins won a road game they never led until the final two minutes.

Here are some thoughts from Miami's Week 13 comeback win ...

1. Adjusting to the run.

In last week's loss to Denver, the Dolphins allowed the Broncos to run for 201 yards. The defense came into Monday's game permitting just 104.2 yards per game, 10th in the NFL.

New York (2-10), starting Geno Smith for the first time since Oct. 26, brought various looks to control the time of possession (17:38) and keep Ryan Tannehill and the Dolphins offense on the sideline in the first half.

The Jets entered third in the NFL with 136.5 yards per game. By halftime, the Jets already had 210 yards on 29 carries with a rushing attack featuring six players. Rather than force the issue through the air, Smith attempted just six passes. At one point, the offense ran 14 straight times and the Dolphins didn't have an answer.

After halftime, however, the Dolphins made adjustments by crashing the line with eight men. They held the Jets to just 67 rushing yards and three points in the final 30 minutes. Smith went 7 for 13 with 65 yards and an interception as he tried to lead New York on the game-tying drive in the final minute.

2. Patience with the offense.

Miami's offense had consistent trouble getting into a groove.

For one, the Jets kept them off the field by running the ball and converting four of the first seven third downs. When the Dolphins did get the ball, they had three-and-outs on two of the first three drives.

The Jets brought pressure on Tannehill, preventing him from looking deep. He averaged just 7.3 yards per pass. But Tannehill, who watched Matthew Stafford and Aaron Rodgers lead their teams to comeback victories against the Dolphins, put together a game-winning drive in the fourth.

Eight different targets caught a pass, led by rookie Jarvis Landry's eight receptions for 68 yards. He was the safety net for Tannehill when the quarterback didn't have time to look to deeper routes. Second-year tight end Dion Sims caught four passes, two on the game-winning drive, for 58 yards.

Tannehill went 25 for 35 with 235 yards and an interception. Although the Dolphins matched their second-fewest points this season, this time they finished with a win. The other two instances were losses.

3. The special teams were rough.

Neither team executed at the best of its ability on special teams.

Dolphins kicker Caleb Sturgis missed a 43-yard field goal wide left in the first quarter, making him 21 of 26 on the season. He was already tied for 20th in field-goal percentage. He came back to connect on his other three attempts, including the game-winner from 26 yards out with 1:57 left.

Over the course of the game, Miami found itself in mediocre field position because of subpar returns. One drive started at the 18 and others at the 23, 25 and 22. Following a field goal, Sturgis kicked the ball out of bounds with 10:56 left in the second quarter to give New York possession at the 40.

Jets kicker Nick Folk, usually reliable, missed from 48 yards and 45 yards out. Had he connected on both, things may have turned out differently. New York got called for a rare holding penalty on its own punt, giving the Dolphins the ball at the Jets 39 on another drive.

Dion Jordan blocked Ryan Quigley's punt for his second of the season, handing the Dolphins the ball at the Jets 41 in the second half.

4. Lucky bounces.

Where to start?

Folk nearly missed a 45-yarder, but it bounced off the crossbar and in. On another drive, it appeared a Jets player fumbled the ball and the Dolphins recovered. After a replay review, the call stood as New York possession.

Tannehill got picked off in the first half when his throw to Lamar Miller bounced off the running back's hands as he tried to catch it. The ball floated into the air and was caught by Darrin Walls.

The bounces went both ways, with the victory-sealing interception by Dolphins safety Reshad Jones coming about after Smith's pass intended for Jeff Cumberland bounced off Miami linebacker Jelani Jenkins' arm.

Some may see this game as one the Jets lost. Their inability to pass the ball left them one-dimensional. It didn't come as a surprise when a playcall went through. Still, two missed field goals proved to be costly.

New York held the ball for five extra minutes. The turnover margin was 0. Miami allowed the Jets to convert 7 of 15 third downs (47 percent) because of short-yardage situations. Miami was outgained 326-291. Like good teams, the Dolphins took advantage of rare opportunities to win and keep their postseason dreams alive.

5. Now, just take care of business.

Remember how the Dolphins beat the New England Patriots 33-20 to open the season? Two weeks from now, Miami and New England (9-3) could meet with the AFC East on the line if the Patriots stumble at San Diego this weekend.

Why? Because Miami's other three opponents -- the Baltimore Ravens, Minnesota Vikings and Jets -- are a combined 14-22.

Even without help from the Patriots, the Dolphins stand in good position to make the postseason, as long as they win out. Miami sits atop the pack of AFC teams with 7-5 records, holding tiebreakers over Buffalo, Kansas City and Baltimore. The Ravens hold the tiebreaker over both the Steelers and Browns.

Miami last reached the playoffs six years ago when it captured the division in 2008. Fans of the team would say it's about time for a return trip.

You can follow Christina De Nicola on Twitter @CDeNicola13 or email her at cdenicola13@gmail.com.

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