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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

New York Jets mistakes contribute to Miami Dolphins’ victory

Miami’s Dion Sims is tripped up by New York’s David Harris. (Associated Press)
Barry Wilner Associated Press

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – The Miami Dolphins found the right formula to stay in the AFC playoff race: Simply let the Jets run the ball all night, and wait for New York to make mistakes.

It worked effectively in an old-fashioned – some might say dull – slugfest.

Caleb Sturgis’ third field goal, from 26 yards with 1:57 remaining, gave Miami (7-5) a comeback 16-13 win over its archrival.

New York (2-10) rushed for 277 yards on 49 carries, but made enough key errors in the second half to lose. The Dolphins remained a factor in the wild-card race thanks to rookie Jarvis Landry’s eight receptions, Lamar Miller’s 4-yard TD run early in the fourth quarter, and plenty of defense when the Jets needed to pass.

New York threw only 13 times, fewest in the NFL this season, and gained 49 yards. The usually reliable Nick Folk missed two field goals.

All of that offset a season high on the ground as Chris Johnson had his best performance for the Jets with 105 yards.

“Can’t believe we’re 2-10,” Jets coach Rex Ryan said, shaking his head and pausing.

“It’s a joke.”

Sturgis also made field goals of 43 and 44 yards.

After trailing most of the way, Miami tied it on Miller’s run with 10:24 remaining. That brought the loudest cheers of the night; thousands of Dolphins fans at MetLife Stadium braved wet, windy conditions.

Jets problems with penalties on special teams hurt them all night, and a holding call against Saalim Hakim set up the Dolphins at New York’s 39 on the tying drive. On the winning drive, backup tight end Dion Sims had catches of 18 and 17 yards.

The Jets kept pounding the ball effectively. They even got into field goal position after Miami made it 13-13. But Koa Misi’s sack pushed New York back to the Miami 27 and Folk missed wide left for the second time. Folk had made 18 of 20 entering the game.

That’s the way the Jets’ season has gone, of course.

“I feel sick,” Ryan said. “We can’t buy a win.”

Early on, Greg Salas, with his fourth team in four pro seasons, scored his first career touchdown. But the receiver didn’t get it through the air, instead scoring on a well-conceived reverse on which the Dolphins had no one close to him until he reached the 2. He dived into the end zone to cap an 85-yard drive, but that ended his night; Salas hurt a hamstring.

Sturgis missed a 43-yard field goal on the next possession for Miami, further boosting New York’s confidence. The Jets took the ball into Dolphins territory for the third successive series, and got more points on Folk’s 40-yard field goal.

As New York kept grinding away on the ground – it had 210 yards rushing in the opening half – it also ate up the clock. But Folk missed from 48 yards and Miami took advantage on Sturgis’ 43-yard field goal to end the half.

Tannehill was 25 of 35 for 235 yards. Smith threw for 65 yards on his seven completions, but also was sacked twice for minus-16 yards.

New York’s previous rushing high this season was 218 against New England.

• Dozens of Jets alums were on hand, including three living Hall of Famers – Joe Namath, Curtis Martin and Don Maynard – to celebrate former owner Leon Hess and former receiver Wayne Chrebet’s induction into the team’s ring of honor.