Jets & Dolphins in an Ironic Twist of Fate

Chad Pennington Miami Dolphins quarterback

The Jets and Dolphins faced each other in Miami the first week of the NFL 2008 Season.

The Jets headed home with a 20-14 victory and a good start to the season, while the Dolphins continued their losing ways from the previous season.

Sixteen weeks later, the Dolphins are in the midst of one of the NFL's biggest turnarounds ever having won 8 of their last nine, while the Jets have lost 3 of their last 4 after 2 impressive road wins against the Patriots and Titans.

An Ironic Twist of Fate, isn't it?

"This is the only way fate would have it," says Chad Pennington. "I just don't think it would happen any other way. There wouldn't be any other scenario. This is how sports works."

Despite the turn of events, both teams are in the hunt for the AFC East division title and a chance at the playoffs.

For the Dolphins it's a straightforward proposition, win and the Dolphins are AFC East champs for the first time since 2000. For the Jets, they need to win plus rely on either the Bills (7-8) to defeat the Patriots (10-5) in Buffalo or the Jaguars to beat the Ravens in Baltimore. A loss for either team means an end to their season.

Miami Dolphins (10-5) at New York Jets (9-6)

When the NFL 2008 season started, not many envisioned the significance of this game. However, irony, perhaps poetic justice and worrisome Jets fans could have thought it would come down to this. And now, the reality of the ultimate nightmare faces Jets fans.

When the Jets traded for QB BRETT FAVRE last summer, while former Jets starter Chad Pennington headed south to Miami, people wondered if the teams' final regular-season game against each other would be important.

Well, it's not important, it's critical.

The Dolphins or Jets could be AFC East division champs; Could make it as AFC Wild Cards or could be out of the AFC playoffs completely.

The Jets have defeated the Dolphins five times in a row, including in the first week of the season, 20-14, when CB DARRELLE REVIS intercepted Pennington in the end zone with five seconds left.

After a 1-15 season a year ago, the Dolphins are on the brink of what many assumed was the improbable -- qualifying for a postseason berth. At 10-5, they already own the best record of any team following a 1-15 season. With a victory over the Jets, they would equal the 1999 Colts for the largest win improvement (10) in NFL history.

Series: Jets Hold Series Lead with 46-38-1 Record

The Jets lead the all-time regular season series between these teams, 46-38-1. The Dolphins own a 1-0 advantage against New York in the postseason. The Jets have come out on top in eight of the last nine meetings and 17 of the past 21, a streak which dates back to the first meeting of 1998.

The Jets are 26-16 at home against the Dolphins, including a 17-7 record at the Meadowlands, where the Jets have won nine of the last 10. The Dolphins only win at the Meadowlands came on September 14, 2003 when the Dolphins won 21-10.

Five of the last six games of the Dolphins - Jets series have been decided by four points or less.

The Jets won the first game between these teams this season, 20-14, on September 7 in Miami. The Jets broke a 7-7 second-quarter tie with 13 straight points, including a 22-yard TD pass from Brett Favre to Chansi Stuckey on fourth-and-13 with 6:52 to play in the opening half.

The Dolphins narrowed the lead to six points on an 11-yard TD pass from Chad Pennington to David Martin with 3:27 to play in the contest.

On their final drive of the game, the Dolphins moved from their own 39 to the Jets 18 before Darrelle Revis intercepted a Chad Pennington pass in the end zone with five seconds left in the game.

NFL 2008 Week 16: Miami Dolphins 38, Kansas City Chiefs 31

The Dolphins won for the eighth time in nine games as they beat the Kansas City Chiefs, 38-31.

The Dolphins took a 7-0 lead on their first offensive play of the game on a 31-yard TD run by Ted Ginn. André Goodman then intercepted a Tyler Thigpen pass on the Chiefs opening series and returned it 55 yards to the Chiefs 18. Dan Carpenter kicked a 34-yard field goal four plays later for a Dolphins 10-0 lead.

The Chiefs scored on their ensuing possession as a 33-yard TD pass from Thigpen to Devard Darling capped a three-play, 65-yard drive. The Chiefs took a 14-10 lead 55 seconds into the second quarter on an 8-yard TD pass from Thigpen to Tony Gonzalez on fourth-and-1.

The Dolphins regained the lead on the following series on an 11-yard TD pass from Chad Pennington to David Martin, ending a five-play, 72-yard drive. Two plays from scrimmage later, Larry Johnson scored from two yards out, one play after Thigpen and Jamaal Charles combined for a 75-yard completion.

The Dolphins responded with a seven-play, 66-yard drive that culminated with a 14-yard TD pass from Pennington to Anthony Fasano. Joey Thomas recovered a fumble at the Chiefs 32 on the ensuing kickoff. The Dolphins could not capitalize. Kansas City took over on downs and marched 95 yards in eight plays, ending with an 8-yard TD run by Thigpen with 50 seconds left in the half to take a 28-24 lead.

The Chiefs took the ball on the opening series of the second half and ended up with a 27-yard field goal by Connor Barth for the 31-24 lead.

The Dolphins tied the game 31-31 with 6:46 to play in the third quarter on a five-play, 60-yard drive that ended with a 4-yard scoring run by Ricky Williams.

The score remained tied until 4:08 remaining in the game when Pennington and Fasano hooked up for a 14-yard TD and the 38-31 lead.

NFL 2008 Week 16: Seattle Seahawks 13, New York Jets 3

In Mike Holmgren's final home game as head coach of the Seahawks, the Seahawks outplayed the New York Jets to a 13-3 victory.

The Jets scored on their opening drive behind a Jay Feeley 20-yard field goal which proved to be the only points of the day for the Jets.

Seattle got on the board with 31 seconds remaining in the half when Seneca Wallace connected on a 2-yard TD with John Carlson for a 7-3 lead. Olindo Mare put Seattle up 10-3 with a 31-yard field goal in the third quarter. Feeley split the uprights on a 45-yard field goal attempt early in the fourth quarter; however, a delay of game penalty negated the three-point effort and the Jets decided to punt after the 5-yard penalty. Later, facing a fourth-and-2 on their own 20-yard line with 2:21 to play, the Jets decided to go for it. A deep pass was broken up by Kelly Jennings giving Seattle possession leading to another Mare field goal for a 13-3 lead.

On the Jets' ensuing drive, Wilson's second interception capped the game for Seattle.

Miami Dolphins (10-5)

  • - With a victory over the Jets this Sunday, the Dolphins can clinch their first AFC East title since 2000
  • - The Dolphins have won 8 of thier past 9 games and has won their last 4 road games. It's been quite a turnaround from their 1-15 record in 2007 for the Dolphins
  • - QB CHAD PENNINGTON has career-high 3,453 passing yards in 2008 & needs 47 yards to become the first Dolphin since DAN MARINO in 1997 (3,780) to throw for over 3,500 passing yards. Pennington ranks 2nd in the NFL with a 96.4 passer rating. Including playoffs, Pennington's teams are 23-7 (.767) when he has 100+ passer rating.
  • - RB RONNIE BROWN aims for 3rd consecutive game with 100+ rush yards at Jets (127, 112)
  • - WR TED GINN JR. has 2 rush touchdowns of 30+ yards in 2008
  • - TE ANTHONY FASANO had career-high 2 TD receptions last week & has career-best 6 in 2008. TE DAVID MARTIN aims for 3rd consecutive game with TD reception
  • - LB JOEY PORTER has 16.5 sacks in past 13 games to lead the AFC with 17.5 sacks
  • - S YEREMIAH BELL (6) needs 0.5 sack to surpass LIFFORT HOBLEY (6) for most career sacks by a Dolphins defensive back
  • - CB NATHAN JONES has 3 sacks in past 2 & aims for 3rd consecutive game with sack

New York Jets (9-6)

  • - The Jets have won the last 5 games versus the Dolphins
  • - In past 3 games against the Dolphins, QB BRETT FAVRE has completed 50 of 82 passes (61.0 pct.) for 587 yards with 5 touchdowns vs. 1 INT & 98.0 passer rating. Including postseason, Favre's teams are 97-8 (.924) when he posts 100+ rating
  • - Pro Bowl RB THOMAS JONES leads the AFC with 1,289 rush yards as he is averaging 98.3 rush yards per game in past 6 (688 total). Jones' 15 touchdowns (13 rush, 2 rec.) & 13 rush touchdowns in 2008 set Jets season records. Jones is averaging 95.3 rush yards per game in past 3 vs. the Dolphins (110, 75, 101).
  • - RB LEON WASHINGTON is tied for 1st in NFL with 10 plays of 40+ yards
  • - WR LAVERANUES COLES has 10 TD receptions vs. the Dolphins.
  • - WR JERRICHO COTCHERY (5) needs 2 TD receptions to surpass his previous career-high (6 in 2006)
  • - LB CALVIN PACE has career-high 7 sacks in 2008
  • - Since 1995, CB TY LAW ranks 1st among CBs with 52 interceptions
  • - Club has franchise record 5 defensive touchdowns
  • - Pro Bowl CB DARRELLE REVIS aims for 3rd consecutive game with an interception vs. the Dolphins

PREDICTION: Jets 24, Dolphins 14

Logic, the writing on the wall, poetic justice for former Jets QB Chad Pennington and almost everything else tells you that the Jets are done and the Dolphins are meant to win this game.

Granted, Brett Favre is tired and this season has worn him out to the point where he might finally retire for good this time.

But, Eric Mangini is 5-0 as Head Coach versus the Dolphins and his job is on the line. The Jets are also 5-2 at home this season and the Jets have won 9 of the last 10 against Miami.

The final weeks of this NFL 2008 season have been anything but by the book. In other words, expect another twist to this season. Expect Brett Favre to find something deep down inside of him and gut his way and his team to victory.

Jets & Dolphins in an Ironic Twist of Fate - NFL 2008 Week 17