jg772006
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It isn't the NFL's longest standing rivalry, but in a class of most bizarre and strange happenings, the Miami Dolphins - New York Jets rivalry stands alone as truly one of a kind. This rivalry has produced some of the most memorable moments, dramatic finishes, miraculous comebacks, and exciting classic shootouts the NFL has ever seen. In my opinion, it is also the most hated rivalry on the East Coast in NFL Professional Football. Here is something all Jet fans and Dolphin fans can appreciate, a rivalry for the ages. Tell me what you think guys.:dolphins:
The Great Games:
Dec. 2, 1969 in NY: - Joe Namath out-slugs Bob Griese:
In a game featuring two Hall of Fame quarterbacks, Joe Namath and Bob Griese put on a show that would catapult this rivalry for years to come. This game had six lead changes from two high powered offenses as both defensives struggled tremendously. But in the end, it was "Broadway" Joe and the Jets that prevailed by a small margin.
Result: New York 34 Miami 31
Oct. 10, 1970 in NY: - Miami beats Jets for the first time:
After losing the first eight meetings to the Jets by a combined margin of 238-112, Miami finally broke through and got the monkey off their back. In the first eight meetings, Joe Namath was an incredible 93 of 161 for 1,506 yards with 12 touchdown passes and no interceptions. He wasn't magic on this day as Miami recorded its first win over the Jets.
Result: Miami 20 New York 6
Nov. 19, 1972 in MIA: - Dolphins beat Jets to keep perfect season intact:
Miami was down during the entire game, but they still managed to keep up with the Jets. Miami scored the final touchdown of the game with less than 1:30 on the clock to keep their undefeated season intact. Miami went on to win Super Bowl VII and finish with an unprecendented, untouched 17-0 undefeated season. The NFL's only perfect season.
Result: Miami 28 New York 24
Oct. 19, 1975 in NY: - Miami picks on Namath...literally:
Joe Namath was outstanding in his first eight meetings against Miami, but this game was a disaster for "Broadway" Joe. Miami picked off Namath six times en route to recording the first shutout of this storied rivalry.
Result: Miami 43 New York 0
Sept. 26, 1976 in MIA: - Joe Namath's last game against Miami:
One year earlier, the first shutout of this rivalry was recorded. For the second time in three games, Namath and the Jets failed to score a single point while Miami's Larry Csonka, Mercury Morris, and Jim Kiick racked up more than 250 yards on the ground together. It was Namath's last game against Miami.
Result: Miami 16 New York 0
Oct. 27, 1980 in NY/Dec. 20, 1980 in MIA: - Jets keep Miami out of playoffs with improbable sweep:
Many people say that 1980 was really the year that jump started this rivalry. The Jets and Dolphins were complete opposites with the Jets struggling and Miami poised for the playoffs. The Jets had other plans. All season, the Jets won a total of only four games, two of those games were against Miami which was just enough to keep Miami out of the playoffs. The Jets finished the season 4-12 while the Dolphins finished 8-8. The key between those two records, the Jets season sweep of Miami.
Results: Game 1- New York 17 Miami 14 / Game 2 - New York 24 Miami 17
Jan. 23, 1983 in MIA: - A.J. Duhe stars in AFC Championship Mud Bowl:
Probably the biggest game in this rivalry to date was the 1983 AFC Championship, more appropriately known as "The Mud Bowl". After sweeping the Jets during the regular season by scores of 45-28 and 20-19, the two teams would meet again, this time with a trip to Super Bowl XVII on the line. A slippery, sloppy, muddy field kept both teams scoreless in the first half, however that would all change in the second half. All game, it was a classic defensive battle that featured ten turnovers, eight of them were quarterback interceptions. The star of the game was undoubtedly Dolphins linebacker A.J. Duhe who picked off three of Jets quarterback Richard Todd's five interceptions, returning one 35 yards for a touchdown which helped seal the win and sending Miami to Super Bowl XVII. It also marked the third time in Dolphins history that they shutout the Jets and the first time Miami defeated the Jets three times in one season.
Result: Miami 14 New York 0
Nov. 4, 1984 in NY: - Nat Moore's "Helicopter" Catch:
The score did not matter in this game. This game was defined by one of the most memorable moments in NFL history, Nat Moore's "Helicopter" Catch. Nat Moore hauls in a Dan Marino pass and sprints toward the endzone. At the 5-yard line, Moore is hit in rapid succession by two Jets in the secondary. Kenny Schroy hits Moore low, while Kirk Springs hits him high. The combination causes Moore's body to flat-spin 360 degrees in mid-air! To his credit, Moore hangs onto the ball, and the Fins go on to score a touchdown and onward to Super Bowl XIX.
Result: Miami 31 New York 17
Nov. 10, 1985 in MIA: - "Super" Duper's last minute heroic 50 yard touchdown catch:
After being sidelined for seven weeks with a broken leg, Mark "Super" Duper had the game of his life when he came back on this day to play the Jets. He set a Dolphins club single game record with 217 recieving yards, but not before helping Miami catapult to victory. Down 17-14 with less than a minute to play, Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino fired a 50 yard touchdown pass to "Super" Duper for the win.
Result: Miami 21 New York 17
Sept. 21, 1986 in NY: - Ken O' Brien outgunns Dan Marino:
In one of the greatest, classic shootouts in NFL history, quarterbacks Ken O' Brien and Dan Marino put on an offensive performance no Dolphin or Jet fan should ever forget. Both defenses looked absolutely foolish as the two quarterbacks combined set NFL single game records of 884 net passing yards and ten touchdown passes, records that still stand to this day. Marino completed 30 of 50 passes for 448 yards and six touchdown passes. Mark Duper and Mark Clayton had big games each having over 100 yards recieving (Duper with 154, Clayton with 174). Ken O' Brien threw four touchdown passes all to wide reciever Wesley Walker, including the one in OT for the win.
Result: New York 51 Miami 45 / OT
Nov. 24, 1986 in MIA: - Miami gets revenge from classic shootout:
After a heartbreaking loss earlier that year in the classic shootout which saw 96 points being scored, Miami exacted some revenge with a blowout win at home. The Jets came into this game with a 10-1 record, the best in the NFL, but Miami embarassed them. Marino completed 29 of 36 passes for 288 yards and four touchdown passes. Miami running back Lorenzo Hampton rushed for 148 yards on 19 carries and two scores, one being a 50 yard touchdown run. As for the Jets, they could only manage three points.
Result: Miami 45 New York 3
Dec. 7, 1987 in MIA: - Marty Lyons clips Dwight Stephenson:
In what was probably one of the most dispicable acts in football history, what happened on this day, no Dolphin fan will ever forget. Mention the name Marty Lyons to any Dolphin fan, and emotion bordering on hatred will emerge. Miami won the game that night but came out of it with a HUGE loss. Marty Lyons and Dwight Stephenson were teammates at the University of Alabama and were good close friends up until that faithful night in Miami. The hit came on a fumble return when Marty Lyons took a cheap shot by going low and doing an illegal chop block right at the right knee of Dwight. Dwight's knee turned into a mangled mess with permanent ligament and nerve damage, forcing him to retire early. After the game, Marty Lyons so distraught over what he did, went to the Dolphins locker room to apologize, but Dolphins head coach Don Shula chased him out in one of the most ugly profanity-laced tirades in NFL history. Dwight Stephenson is known to many as the greastest center of all time when he was elected to the pro football hall of fame in 1998, while Marty Lyons burned out of the league 3 years later.
Result: Miami 37 New York 28
Oct. 23, 1988 in MIA: - Dan Marino throws for 500 yards...but loses:
Dan Marino put on another great performance however he came up short. On this day, Dan Marino joined a small, select few of quarterbacks to throw for more than 500 yards in a single game. Marino threw for a career high 521 yards (NFL record: 554 by Norm Van Brocklin). Marino completed 35 0f 60 passes, threw for three touchdown passes, but five interceptions led to his dimise.
Result: New York 44 Miami 30
Nov. 12, 1989 in NY: - Pete Stoyanovich's 59 yard field goal:
The second longest field goal in NFL history was made in this game when Miami kicker Pete Stoyanovich nailed a 59 yard field goal with less than 2:30 on the clock to help seal the win.
Result: Miami 31 New York 23
Dec. 22, 1991 in MIA: - Season Finale - Winner takes all, Loser goes home:
The season finale in 1991 between the Jets and Dolphins had so much on the line. The winners would clinch the final AFC Wildcard spot in the playoffs, and the losers would have their season come to an end. It was a seesaw battle all game, but in the end it would be another chapter in this storied rivalry. Miami took the lead 20-17 with 44 seconds remaining, however when the Jets got the ball, they drove down the field, and tied the game to force OT on Paul Allegre's 44 yard field goal. Allegre came through for the Jets once again in OT with a 30 yard field goal, sending the Jets in the playoffs, and sending Miami home.
Result: New York 23 Miami 20 / OT
Nov. 27, 1994 in NY: - Dan Marino's infamous "fake spike":
Undoubtedly the single greatest play in Dan Marino's glorius career. What Dan Marino did on this play absolutely tortured the Jets and their fans so bad, it would haunt them for years to come. Heading into the fourth quarter, Miami was down 24-6 and were simply being outplayed. Marino, however never gave up. He drove the Dolphins to two scores, thus making the score 24-21. Marino got the ball one last time and on this drive, single handedly changed the course of history for the entire Jets franchise. Marino drove the Dolphins down the field and within the Jets five yard line. With 30 seconds remaining, and the clock continuing to wind down, it appeared Marino was going to spike the ball to stop the clock and send out the field goal unit to tie the game. But the kick was never needed. Instead, Marino took the snap from center, and fired the ball in the corner of the endzone, passed Aaron Glenn and into the hands of Mark Ingram. When the snap happened, the entire Jets defense froze thinking Marino spiked the ball. It was Mark Ingram's fourth touchdown catch of the game, which tied a club record with former Dolphins wide reciever Paul Warfield. Miami went on to win and as for the Jets, after that play, for the rest of that year and the following two years, the Jets complied a record of 4-32. The "fake spike" destroyed the Jets franchise for two years, while during that time, Miami won one AFC East Division title and made the playoffs both years.
Result: Miami 28 New York 24
Oct. 22, 1995 in NY: The Record Doesn't Matter - Jets Openly Laugh at Miami:
After the Jets had a season opening drubbing in Miami by a score of 52-14, Miami looked to be unstoppable in the AFC. However, once again the Jets had other plans. Miami heading into their second meeting against New York were 4-2, while the Jets were 1-6 under head coach Rich Kotite. On that October day, the Jets managed to hang on for the win barely, and as the seconds ticked off, the Jets openly laughed at Miami, almost inciting a riot. The Jets went on to finish 3-13 that year, but this win is what they were most proud of this year.
Result: New York 17 Miami 16
Dec. 13, 1998 in MIA: Sunday Night Football for the Division lead:
After starting 4-0 only to lose to the 1-2 New York Jets in New York by a score of 20-9, these two teams would meet again, this time with identical 9-4 records with the division lead, and possibly the division title on the line. The Jets walked away from this game with the win, the lead, and ultimately their first AFC East Division Title. The Jets would go all the way to the AFC Championship game, only to lose to Denver 23-10. As far as Miami goes, Miami would make it to the second round of the playoffs, only to get blown out by Denver 38-3. Denver eliminated both New York and Miami from the playoffs that year.
Result: New York 21 Miami 16
Dec. 27, 1999 in MIA: - Dan Marino's last game against the Jets:
It was Dan Marino's last appearance on a primetime stage. It was Monday Night Football during Christmas week, and it was the last time Dan Marino was in a classic shootout with the Jets. This time, Marino had to face a young up and coming quarterback named Ray Lucas, under the tutulige of head coach, Bill Parcells. It did not go as planned for Miami. Miami poised for the playoffs were trying to clinch a Wildcard spot, while the Jets started their season 1-6 and were coming into this game at 6-8, winning five out of their last seven. The Jets did not make it easy for the Dolphins. Ray Lucas completed 11 of 23 passes for 190 yards and three touchdown passes. Marino put on one last great performance, completing 29 of 52 passes for 322 yards and three touchdown passes, however he had three interceptions which cost Miami big time. It was the last of Marino's NFL regular season record of 63 career games with 300 yards passing, however this night belonged to Ray Lucas and the Jets. The Jets finished the season 8-8 (including a season sweep of Miami), while Miami finished the season 9-7, made it to the second round of the playoffs, only to get embarassed by Jacksonville. Dan Marino retired six weeks later.
Result: New York 38 Miami 31
Oct. 23, 2000 in NY: - The Monday Midnight Miracle at the Meadowlands:
It wasn't the 1992 AFC Wildcard game where the Bills made up a 32 point deficit to beat the Oilers 41-38 in overtime, but it sure was similar. Many people say it was the greatest Monday Night Football game in NFL history, and also one of the greatest comebacks in NFL History. The Jets and Dolphins waged a war so big, that the game lasted over four hours. In the first half, everything went right for the Dolphins. They had a long touchdown run, a long touchdown pass, and a trio of field goals. As far as the Jets, everything that could go wrong, did. Quarterback Vinny Testaverde threw three interceptions, running back Curtis Martin had 30 yards on the ground, and the Jets could only manage two first downs in the first half. At halftime, the score was 23-7 in favor of Miami. By the end of the 3rd quarter, Miami had a commanding 30-7 lead and ironicly, in the most memorable quote during the game, Dolphins quarterback Jay Fiedler walked over to defensive end Jason Taylor and said this:
Jay: "They ain't coming back on us!"
Jason: "Hell No! You Kidding?! C'mon now."
The jinx was set. From the start of the fourth quarter, the floor fell out from underneath Miami. Vinny Testaverde threw a pair of touchdown passes, one almost intercepted by Dolphins cornerback Sam Madison but caught by Jets reciever Laverneus Coles. The score now went from 30-7, to 30-13, to 30-20. The Jets kept clicking and Miami kept faultering. After a field goal by John Hall, narrowing the margin even more, Vinny Testaverde fired a touchdown pass to Wayne Chrebet to tie the game 30-30. Before the fourth quarter, the Jets were so bad, their fans were actually leaving the stadium. Now all of a sudden, the Jets tied the game and the fans were piling into the stadium again. After the Wayne Chrebet touchdown, it took only two plays for Miami to respond. Jay Fiedler fired a long touchdown pass to Leslie Shepard to retake the lead 37-30. Vinny Testaverde was then given one last chance to tie the game. With less than a minute left on the clock, and the Jets inside Miami's five yard line, the most memorable play of the game happened when Testaverde hit his offensive tackle Jumbo Elliott for a touchdown pass on a tackle eligible play. The score was now 37-37 going into OT. After playing absolutely miserable in the first three quarters, Vinny Testaverde was 18 for 26 for 235 yards and four touchdowns in the fourth quarter alone. He threw five touchdowns overall. After having only five first downs in the first three quarters, the Jets had a whopping 20 in the fourth. In OT, Jay Fiedler was picked off for the third time which set up the dramatic finish. John Hall nailed a 40 yard field goal capping off a 23-point, fourth quarter deficit forever known to Jet fans as the "Monday Midnight Miracle at the Meadowlands".
Result: New York 40 Miami 37 / OT
Oct. 14, 2001 in NY: - Miracle at the Meadowlands..Part II:
It wasn't as dramtic as one year earlier, but the game ended in similar fashion. Once again, for the second consecutive year in New York, the Jets were able to overcome a Miami deficit and secure a win. At halftime, Miami held a lead of 17-0 and outgained the Jets 250-27 in offensive yardage. That would change once again, and in similar fashion the Jets scored 21 unanswered points, which included two long touchdown passes from Vinny Testaverde to Laveranues Coles, and Curtis Martin rushing for 120 yards, which allowed New York to outgain Miami 159-19 in offensive yardage in the third quarter. In the closing moments of the game, Jay Fiedler was giving a chance to lead Miami to a comeback win, however an ill-advised throw in double coverage caused the pass to be picked off by linebacker Marvin Jones, clinching the win for the Jets by a score of 21-17. However the significance of the game happened at a Miami press conference after the game when Miami middle linebacker Zach Thomas came and spoke out about both teams claiming that both teams "suck", which led to their meeting only four weeks later.
Result: New York 21 Miami 17
Nov. 18, 2001 in MIA: - Jets shutout Miami for the first time in their franchise history:
What Zach Thomas said four weeks prior to this game ticked off alot of Jet players. Zach wound up eating his words in this game. Dating all the way back in 1966 when the Miami Dolphins were established, the New York Jets never shutout Miami. That changed on this day. The stars of the game were Jets cornerbacks Aaron Glenn and Victor Green when both intercepted a pass from Jay Fiedler, and both were returned for touchdowns. The key interception was when Dolphins quarterback Jay Fiedler threw a lateral pass to wide reciever James McKnight that hit his facemask on his helmet which caused him to bobble the ball right into Aaron Glenn's hands. That happened on the first drive of the game, and Miami never recovered. This game also marked the second time in this rivalry, that Miami had now lost eight consecutive games to the Jets. The last time that happened was when Miami and the Jets faced each other for the first eight times from 1966 to 1969, and the Jets took those first eight meetings.
Result: New York 24 Miami 0
Sept. 22, 2002 in MIA: - Miami ends eight game losing streak:
The Jets tortured Miami for eight straight games until this day. Two streaks were on the line. The Jets winning streak against Miami, and Miami had a 16 game home winning streak in the months of Sept. and Oct. However, at this time, guess which team was the last to beat the Dolphins in Miami in the months of Sept. and Oct.? Thats right - the New York Jets 24-14 in 1993. Plus, Miami was 2-0 heading into this game. Miami got a lot of help from their new running back Ricky Williams who rushed for 151 yards on 24 carries, including a 53 yard touchdown run. Miami whopped the Jets in this game and in a ironic twist of fate, it was after this game that Vinny Testaverde got benched and the new starting quarterback for the Jets, would be Chad Pennington.
Result: Miami 30 New York 3
Dec. 18, 2003 in MIA: - The Game of no Significance:
The 2003 season finale of the Dolphins and Jets had nothing on the line. No playoff implications. No division title on the line. Just one final game to play hard and try to beat your arch rival that you hate the most. And boy did these two teams play hard. Miami took the early lead with a pair of Olindo Mare field goals and a Ricky Williams touchdown run to make the score 13-0. Jets running back Curtis Martin then scored a touchdown of his own to narrow the margin to 13-7. Miami quarterback Jay Fiedler, who threw for 328 yards in this game, hit wide reciever Chris Chambers in the endzone for a touchdown grab. Chambers was magnificant all game as he hauled in 9 catches for 153 yards and a touchdown grab. A Jet field goal later and the score was 20-10 at halftime. Jets quarterback Chad Pennington did not give up however. In the third quarter, the Jets hit another field goal, and even got a safety to narrow the margin to 20-15. It seemed Miami was faultering and they did for the time being. Pennington, who was 22 for 28 for 221 yards and one touchdown, hit his tight end Anthony Becht for a one yard touchdown, to grab their first lead of the game 21-20 with less than nine minutes to go. Miami however got the ball one last time, and drove down the field and with three seconds left on the clock relied on the their kicker Olindo Mare, who nailed an ugly 22 yard field goal to seal the win and the season for both them and the Jets.
Result: Miami 23 New York 21
Dec. 18, 2005 in MIA: - Two Quarterbacks vs. One
The 2005 season for both the Dolphins and the Jets were similar in one small way. Neither team had a durable quarterback. The Jets were on their fifth quarterback of the season while Miami had two inconsistent quarterbacks to work with all year. Miami's starter Gus Frerotte was inconsistent all year, while his backup Sage Rosenfels came in at times to relieve Gus when he either got injured, or was not playing well. Meanwhile the Jets had started five quarterbacks during their season and in this game, their fifth quarterback named Brooks Bollinger had the game of his life. Miami took an early lead with a quick touchdown strike delivered by Gus Frerotte to Chris Chambers. That was the most action Gus would see all game, as he only completed half of his passes for 76 yards and an interception. Brooks Bollinger was magnificant as he completed 28 of 42 passes for 327 yards (the first time in over 30 games Miami allowed a 300 yard passer) and two touchdown passes, including a 60 yard touchdown pass to tight end Doug Jolley, however it wasn't enough. Sage Rosenfels did a great job filling in for Gus Frerotte in the second half by going 6 of 13 for 99 yards and a touchdown pass to wide reciever Marty Booker to help clinch the win. The Miami defense was equally dominate with six sacks (three from Jason Taylor), and the most memorable play of the game was linebacker Zach Thomas's monstorous hit along the sideline to Jet running back Cedric Houston. After starting 3-7, this win was Miami's fourth in a row to notch them at a record of 7-7 and help them finish the season 9-7 with a six game winning streak, under first year head coach, Nick Saban.
Result: Miami 24 New York 20
Oct. 15, 2006 in NY: - The Miss - The Comeback that Could of Been:
So close, yet so far. Miami tried to exact some revenge from six years ago and have their own "Miracle at the Meadowlands". It was not meant to be. The Dolphins were heading into this game at 1-4 and searching for answers on offense, while the Jets even though at 2-3 were playing great football and playing in tight games. After a 3-0 halftime score in favor of the Jets, the Jets absoulutely blew the Dolphins away when Jets kicker Mike Nugent hit another field goal, and quarterback Chad Pennington hit two long touchdown passes to Laveranues Coles to open the score up 20-3 with less than 13 minutes to play. Miami didn't give up though as Dolphins quarterback Joey Harrington who played miserable in the first three quarters was on fire in the fourth. He finished 27 of 43 for 266 yards with a touchdown strike to wide reciever Chris Chambers, but two interceptions cost him. The touchdown to Chris Chambers happened with less than nine minutes on the clock, narrowing the margin to 20-10. With less than four minutes of play time left, Dolphins running back Ronnie Brown, who had his first 100 yard rushing game of the season, had a one yard touchdown run, to narrow the score to 20-17. Miami got the ball one last time. Joey Harrington got Miami in striking distance by firing a trio of passes to wide recievers Wes Welker, Chris Chambers, and rookie Derek Hagan, as well as a strike to tight end Randy McMichael. Miami got in field goal range and called for their kicker Olindo Mare to attempt a 51 yard field goal with 33 seconds left to force OT. Mare kicked it but it was short and wide right, and the Jets held on to win as Miami will have to wait for its miracle another day.
Result: New York 20 Miami 17
The Great Games:
Dec. 2, 1969 in NY: - Joe Namath out-slugs Bob Griese:
In a game featuring two Hall of Fame quarterbacks, Joe Namath and Bob Griese put on a show that would catapult this rivalry for years to come. This game had six lead changes from two high powered offenses as both defensives struggled tremendously. But in the end, it was "Broadway" Joe and the Jets that prevailed by a small margin.
Result: New York 34 Miami 31
Oct. 10, 1970 in NY: - Miami beats Jets for the first time:
After losing the first eight meetings to the Jets by a combined margin of 238-112, Miami finally broke through and got the monkey off their back. In the first eight meetings, Joe Namath was an incredible 93 of 161 for 1,506 yards with 12 touchdown passes and no interceptions. He wasn't magic on this day as Miami recorded its first win over the Jets.
Result: Miami 20 New York 6
Nov. 19, 1972 in MIA: - Dolphins beat Jets to keep perfect season intact:
Miami was down during the entire game, but they still managed to keep up with the Jets. Miami scored the final touchdown of the game with less than 1:30 on the clock to keep their undefeated season intact. Miami went on to win Super Bowl VII and finish with an unprecendented, untouched 17-0 undefeated season. The NFL's only perfect season.
Result: Miami 28 New York 24
Oct. 19, 1975 in NY: - Miami picks on Namath...literally:
Joe Namath was outstanding in his first eight meetings against Miami, but this game was a disaster for "Broadway" Joe. Miami picked off Namath six times en route to recording the first shutout of this storied rivalry.
Result: Miami 43 New York 0
Sept. 26, 1976 in MIA: - Joe Namath's last game against Miami:
One year earlier, the first shutout of this rivalry was recorded. For the second time in three games, Namath and the Jets failed to score a single point while Miami's Larry Csonka, Mercury Morris, and Jim Kiick racked up more than 250 yards on the ground together. It was Namath's last game against Miami.
Result: Miami 16 New York 0
Oct. 27, 1980 in NY/Dec. 20, 1980 in MIA: - Jets keep Miami out of playoffs with improbable sweep:
Many people say that 1980 was really the year that jump started this rivalry. The Jets and Dolphins were complete opposites with the Jets struggling and Miami poised for the playoffs. The Jets had other plans. All season, the Jets won a total of only four games, two of those games were against Miami which was just enough to keep Miami out of the playoffs. The Jets finished the season 4-12 while the Dolphins finished 8-8. The key between those two records, the Jets season sweep of Miami.
Results: Game 1- New York 17 Miami 14 / Game 2 - New York 24 Miami 17
Jan. 23, 1983 in MIA: - A.J. Duhe stars in AFC Championship Mud Bowl:
Probably the biggest game in this rivalry to date was the 1983 AFC Championship, more appropriately known as "The Mud Bowl". After sweeping the Jets during the regular season by scores of 45-28 and 20-19, the two teams would meet again, this time with a trip to Super Bowl XVII on the line. A slippery, sloppy, muddy field kept both teams scoreless in the first half, however that would all change in the second half. All game, it was a classic defensive battle that featured ten turnovers, eight of them were quarterback interceptions. The star of the game was undoubtedly Dolphins linebacker A.J. Duhe who picked off three of Jets quarterback Richard Todd's five interceptions, returning one 35 yards for a touchdown which helped seal the win and sending Miami to Super Bowl XVII. It also marked the third time in Dolphins history that they shutout the Jets and the first time Miami defeated the Jets three times in one season.
Result: Miami 14 New York 0
Nov. 4, 1984 in NY: - Nat Moore's "Helicopter" Catch:
The score did not matter in this game. This game was defined by one of the most memorable moments in NFL history, Nat Moore's "Helicopter" Catch. Nat Moore hauls in a Dan Marino pass and sprints toward the endzone. At the 5-yard line, Moore is hit in rapid succession by two Jets in the secondary. Kenny Schroy hits Moore low, while Kirk Springs hits him high. The combination causes Moore's body to flat-spin 360 degrees in mid-air! To his credit, Moore hangs onto the ball, and the Fins go on to score a touchdown and onward to Super Bowl XIX.
Result: Miami 31 New York 17
Nov. 10, 1985 in MIA: - "Super" Duper's last minute heroic 50 yard touchdown catch:
After being sidelined for seven weeks with a broken leg, Mark "Super" Duper had the game of his life when he came back on this day to play the Jets. He set a Dolphins club single game record with 217 recieving yards, but not before helping Miami catapult to victory. Down 17-14 with less than a minute to play, Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino fired a 50 yard touchdown pass to "Super" Duper for the win.
Result: Miami 21 New York 17
Sept. 21, 1986 in NY: - Ken O' Brien outgunns Dan Marino:
In one of the greatest, classic shootouts in NFL history, quarterbacks Ken O' Brien and Dan Marino put on an offensive performance no Dolphin or Jet fan should ever forget. Both defenses looked absolutely foolish as the two quarterbacks combined set NFL single game records of 884 net passing yards and ten touchdown passes, records that still stand to this day. Marino completed 30 of 50 passes for 448 yards and six touchdown passes. Mark Duper and Mark Clayton had big games each having over 100 yards recieving (Duper with 154, Clayton with 174). Ken O' Brien threw four touchdown passes all to wide reciever Wesley Walker, including the one in OT for the win.
Result: New York 51 Miami 45 / OT
Nov. 24, 1986 in MIA: - Miami gets revenge from classic shootout:
After a heartbreaking loss earlier that year in the classic shootout which saw 96 points being scored, Miami exacted some revenge with a blowout win at home. The Jets came into this game with a 10-1 record, the best in the NFL, but Miami embarassed them. Marino completed 29 of 36 passes for 288 yards and four touchdown passes. Miami running back Lorenzo Hampton rushed for 148 yards on 19 carries and two scores, one being a 50 yard touchdown run. As for the Jets, they could only manage three points.
Result: Miami 45 New York 3
Dec. 7, 1987 in MIA: - Marty Lyons clips Dwight Stephenson:
In what was probably one of the most dispicable acts in football history, what happened on this day, no Dolphin fan will ever forget. Mention the name Marty Lyons to any Dolphin fan, and emotion bordering on hatred will emerge. Miami won the game that night but came out of it with a HUGE loss. Marty Lyons and Dwight Stephenson were teammates at the University of Alabama and were good close friends up until that faithful night in Miami. The hit came on a fumble return when Marty Lyons took a cheap shot by going low and doing an illegal chop block right at the right knee of Dwight. Dwight's knee turned into a mangled mess with permanent ligament and nerve damage, forcing him to retire early. After the game, Marty Lyons so distraught over what he did, went to the Dolphins locker room to apologize, but Dolphins head coach Don Shula chased him out in one of the most ugly profanity-laced tirades in NFL history. Dwight Stephenson is known to many as the greastest center of all time when he was elected to the pro football hall of fame in 1998, while Marty Lyons burned out of the league 3 years later.
Result: Miami 37 New York 28
Oct. 23, 1988 in MIA: - Dan Marino throws for 500 yards...but loses:
Dan Marino put on another great performance however he came up short. On this day, Dan Marino joined a small, select few of quarterbacks to throw for more than 500 yards in a single game. Marino threw for a career high 521 yards (NFL record: 554 by Norm Van Brocklin). Marino completed 35 0f 60 passes, threw for three touchdown passes, but five interceptions led to his dimise.
Result: New York 44 Miami 30
Nov. 12, 1989 in NY: - Pete Stoyanovich's 59 yard field goal:
The second longest field goal in NFL history was made in this game when Miami kicker Pete Stoyanovich nailed a 59 yard field goal with less than 2:30 on the clock to help seal the win.
Result: Miami 31 New York 23
Dec. 22, 1991 in MIA: - Season Finale - Winner takes all, Loser goes home:
The season finale in 1991 between the Jets and Dolphins had so much on the line. The winners would clinch the final AFC Wildcard spot in the playoffs, and the losers would have their season come to an end. It was a seesaw battle all game, but in the end it would be another chapter in this storied rivalry. Miami took the lead 20-17 with 44 seconds remaining, however when the Jets got the ball, they drove down the field, and tied the game to force OT on Paul Allegre's 44 yard field goal. Allegre came through for the Jets once again in OT with a 30 yard field goal, sending the Jets in the playoffs, and sending Miami home.
Result: New York 23 Miami 20 / OT
Nov. 27, 1994 in NY: - Dan Marino's infamous "fake spike":
Undoubtedly the single greatest play in Dan Marino's glorius career. What Dan Marino did on this play absolutely tortured the Jets and their fans so bad, it would haunt them for years to come. Heading into the fourth quarter, Miami was down 24-6 and were simply being outplayed. Marino, however never gave up. He drove the Dolphins to two scores, thus making the score 24-21. Marino got the ball one last time and on this drive, single handedly changed the course of history for the entire Jets franchise. Marino drove the Dolphins down the field and within the Jets five yard line. With 30 seconds remaining, and the clock continuing to wind down, it appeared Marino was going to spike the ball to stop the clock and send out the field goal unit to tie the game. But the kick was never needed. Instead, Marino took the snap from center, and fired the ball in the corner of the endzone, passed Aaron Glenn and into the hands of Mark Ingram. When the snap happened, the entire Jets defense froze thinking Marino spiked the ball. It was Mark Ingram's fourth touchdown catch of the game, which tied a club record with former Dolphins wide reciever Paul Warfield. Miami went on to win and as for the Jets, after that play, for the rest of that year and the following two years, the Jets complied a record of 4-32. The "fake spike" destroyed the Jets franchise for two years, while during that time, Miami won one AFC East Division title and made the playoffs both years.
Result: Miami 28 New York 24
Oct. 22, 1995 in NY: The Record Doesn't Matter - Jets Openly Laugh at Miami:
After the Jets had a season opening drubbing in Miami by a score of 52-14, Miami looked to be unstoppable in the AFC. However, once again the Jets had other plans. Miami heading into their second meeting against New York were 4-2, while the Jets were 1-6 under head coach Rich Kotite. On that October day, the Jets managed to hang on for the win barely, and as the seconds ticked off, the Jets openly laughed at Miami, almost inciting a riot. The Jets went on to finish 3-13 that year, but this win is what they were most proud of this year.
Result: New York 17 Miami 16
Dec. 13, 1998 in MIA: Sunday Night Football for the Division lead:
After starting 4-0 only to lose to the 1-2 New York Jets in New York by a score of 20-9, these two teams would meet again, this time with identical 9-4 records with the division lead, and possibly the division title on the line. The Jets walked away from this game with the win, the lead, and ultimately their first AFC East Division Title. The Jets would go all the way to the AFC Championship game, only to lose to Denver 23-10. As far as Miami goes, Miami would make it to the second round of the playoffs, only to get blown out by Denver 38-3. Denver eliminated both New York and Miami from the playoffs that year.
Result: New York 21 Miami 16
Dec. 27, 1999 in MIA: - Dan Marino's last game against the Jets:
It was Dan Marino's last appearance on a primetime stage. It was Monday Night Football during Christmas week, and it was the last time Dan Marino was in a classic shootout with the Jets. This time, Marino had to face a young up and coming quarterback named Ray Lucas, under the tutulige of head coach, Bill Parcells. It did not go as planned for Miami. Miami poised for the playoffs were trying to clinch a Wildcard spot, while the Jets started their season 1-6 and were coming into this game at 6-8, winning five out of their last seven. The Jets did not make it easy for the Dolphins. Ray Lucas completed 11 of 23 passes for 190 yards and three touchdown passes. Marino put on one last great performance, completing 29 of 52 passes for 322 yards and three touchdown passes, however he had three interceptions which cost Miami big time. It was the last of Marino's NFL regular season record of 63 career games with 300 yards passing, however this night belonged to Ray Lucas and the Jets. The Jets finished the season 8-8 (including a season sweep of Miami), while Miami finished the season 9-7, made it to the second round of the playoffs, only to get embarassed by Jacksonville. Dan Marino retired six weeks later.
Result: New York 38 Miami 31
Oct. 23, 2000 in NY: - The Monday Midnight Miracle at the Meadowlands:
It wasn't the 1992 AFC Wildcard game where the Bills made up a 32 point deficit to beat the Oilers 41-38 in overtime, but it sure was similar. Many people say it was the greatest Monday Night Football game in NFL history, and also one of the greatest comebacks in NFL History. The Jets and Dolphins waged a war so big, that the game lasted over four hours. In the first half, everything went right for the Dolphins. They had a long touchdown run, a long touchdown pass, and a trio of field goals. As far as the Jets, everything that could go wrong, did. Quarterback Vinny Testaverde threw three interceptions, running back Curtis Martin had 30 yards on the ground, and the Jets could only manage two first downs in the first half. At halftime, the score was 23-7 in favor of Miami. By the end of the 3rd quarter, Miami had a commanding 30-7 lead and ironicly, in the most memorable quote during the game, Dolphins quarterback Jay Fiedler walked over to defensive end Jason Taylor and said this:
Jay: "They ain't coming back on us!"
Jason: "Hell No! You Kidding?! C'mon now."
The jinx was set. From the start of the fourth quarter, the floor fell out from underneath Miami. Vinny Testaverde threw a pair of touchdown passes, one almost intercepted by Dolphins cornerback Sam Madison but caught by Jets reciever Laverneus Coles. The score now went from 30-7, to 30-13, to 30-20. The Jets kept clicking and Miami kept faultering. After a field goal by John Hall, narrowing the margin even more, Vinny Testaverde fired a touchdown pass to Wayne Chrebet to tie the game 30-30. Before the fourth quarter, the Jets were so bad, their fans were actually leaving the stadium. Now all of a sudden, the Jets tied the game and the fans were piling into the stadium again. After the Wayne Chrebet touchdown, it took only two plays for Miami to respond. Jay Fiedler fired a long touchdown pass to Leslie Shepard to retake the lead 37-30. Vinny Testaverde was then given one last chance to tie the game. With less than a minute left on the clock, and the Jets inside Miami's five yard line, the most memorable play of the game happened when Testaverde hit his offensive tackle Jumbo Elliott for a touchdown pass on a tackle eligible play. The score was now 37-37 going into OT. After playing absolutely miserable in the first three quarters, Vinny Testaverde was 18 for 26 for 235 yards and four touchdowns in the fourth quarter alone. He threw five touchdowns overall. After having only five first downs in the first three quarters, the Jets had a whopping 20 in the fourth. In OT, Jay Fiedler was picked off for the third time which set up the dramatic finish. John Hall nailed a 40 yard field goal capping off a 23-point, fourth quarter deficit forever known to Jet fans as the "Monday Midnight Miracle at the Meadowlands".
Result: New York 40 Miami 37 / OT
Oct. 14, 2001 in NY: - Miracle at the Meadowlands..Part II:
It wasn't as dramtic as one year earlier, but the game ended in similar fashion. Once again, for the second consecutive year in New York, the Jets were able to overcome a Miami deficit and secure a win. At halftime, Miami held a lead of 17-0 and outgained the Jets 250-27 in offensive yardage. That would change once again, and in similar fashion the Jets scored 21 unanswered points, which included two long touchdown passes from Vinny Testaverde to Laveranues Coles, and Curtis Martin rushing for 120 yards, which allowed New York to outgain Miami 159-19 in offensive yardage in the third quarter. In the closing moments of the game, Jay Fiedler was giving a chance to lead Miami to a comeback win, however an ill-advised throw in double coverage caused the pass to be picked off by linebacker Marvin Jones, clinching the win for the Jets by a score of 21-17. However the significance of the game happened at a Miami press conference after the game when Miami middle linebacker Zach Thomas came and spoke out about both teams claiming that both teams "suck", which led to their meeting only four weeks later.
Result: New York 21 Miami 17
Nov. 18, 2001 in MIA: - Jets shutout Miami for the first time in their franchise history:
What Zach Thomas said four weeks prior to this game ticked off alot of Jet players. Zach wound up eating his words in this game. Dating all the way back in 1966 when the Miami Dolphins were established, the New York Jets never shutout Miami. That changed on this day. The stars of the game were Jets cornerbacks Aaron Glenn and Victor Green when both intercepted a pass from Jay Fiedler, and both were returned for touchdowns. The key interception was when Dolphins quarterback Jay Fiedler threw a lateral pass to wide reciever James McKnight that hit his facemask on his helmet which caused him to bobble the ball right into Aaron Glenn's hands. That happened on the first drive of the game, and Miami never recovered. This game also marked the second time in this rivalry, that Miami had now lost eight consecutive games to the Jets. The last time that happened was when Miami and the Jets faced each other for the first eight times from 1966 to 1969, and the Jets took those first eight meetings.
Result: New York 24 Miami 0
Sept. 22, 2002 in MIA: - Miami ends eight game losing streak:
The Jets tortured Miami for eight straight games until this day. Two streaks were on the line. The Jets winning streak against Miami, and Miami had a 16 game home winning streak in the months of Sept. and Oct. However, at this time, guess which team was the last to beat the Dolphins in Miami in the months of Sept. and Oct.? Thats right - the New York Jets 24-14 in 1993. Plus, Miami was 2-0 heading into this game. Miami got a lot of help from their new running back Ricky Williams who rushed for 151 yards on 24 carries, including a 53 yard touchdown run. Miami whopped the Jets in this game and in a ironic twist of fate, it was after this game that Vinny Testaverde got benched and the new starting quarterback for the Jets, would be Chad Pennington.
Result: Miami 30 New York 3
Dec. 18, 2003 in MIA: - The Game of no Significance:
The 2003 season finale of the Dolphins and Jets had nothing on the line. No playoff implications. No division title on the line. Just one final game to play hard and try to beat your arch rival that you hate the most. And boy did these two teams play hard. Miami took the early lead with a pair of Olindo Mare field goals and a Ricky Williams touchdown run to make the score 13-0. Jets running back Curtis Martin then scored a touchdown of his own to narrow the margin to 13-7. Miami quarterback Jay Fiedler, who threw for 328 yards in this game, hit wide reciever Chris Chambers in the endzone for a touchdown grab. Chambers was magnificant all game as he hauled in 9 catches for 153 yards and a touchdown grab. A Jet field goal later and the score was 20-10 at halftime. Jets quarterback Chad Pennington did not give up however. In the third quarter, the Jets hit another field goal, and even got a safety to narrow the margin to 20-15. It seemed Miami was faultering and they did for the time being. Pennington, who was 22 for 28 for 221 yards and one touchdown, hit his tight end Anthony Becht for a one yard touchdown, to grab their first lead of the game 21-20 with less than nine minutes to go. Miami however got the ball one last time, and drove down the field and with three seconds left on the clock relied on the their kicker Olindo Mare, who nailed an ugly 22 yard field goal to seal the win and the season for both them and the Jets.
Result: Miami 23 New York 21
Dec. 18, 2005 in MIA: - Two Quarterbacks vs. One
The 2005 season for both the Dolphins and the Jets were similar in one small way. Neither team had a durable quarterback. The Jets were on their fifth quarterback of the season while Miami had two inconsistent quarterbacks to work with all year. Miami's starter Gus Frerotte was inconsistent all year, while his backup Sage Rosenfels came in at times to relieve Gus when he either got injured, or was not playing well. Meanwhile the Jets had started five quarterbacks during their season and in this game, their fifth quarterback named Brooks Bollinger had the game of his life. Miami took an early lead with a quick touchdown strike delivered by Gus Frerotte to Chris Chambers. That was the most action Gus would see all game, as he only completed half of his passes for 76 yards and an interception. Brooks Bollinger was magnificant as he completed 28 of 42 passes for 327 yards (the first time in over 30 games Miami allowed a 300 yard passer) and two touchdown passes, including a 60 yard touchdown pass to tight end Doug Jolley, however it wasn't enough. Sage Rosenfels did a great job filling in for Gus Frerotte in the second half by going 6 of 13 for 99 yards and a touchdown pass to wide reciever Marty Booker to help clinch the win. The Miami defense was equally dominate with six sacks (three from Jason Taylor), and the most memorable play of the game was linebacker Zach Thomas's monstorous hit along the sideline to Jet running back Cedric Houston. After starting 3-7, this win was Miami's fourth in a row to notch them at a record of 7-7 and help them finish the season 9-7 with a six game winning streak, under first year head coach, Nick Saban.
Result: Miami 24 New York 20
Oct. 15, 2006 in NY: - The Miss - The Comeback that Could of Been:
So close, yet so far. Miami tried to exact some revenge from six years ago and have their own "Miracle at the Meadowlands". It was not meant to be. The Dolphins were heading into this game at 1-4 and searching for answers on offense, while the Jets even though at 2-3 were playing great football and playing in tight games. After a 3-0 halftime score in favor of the Jets, the Jets absoulutely blew the Dolphins away when Jets kicker Mike Nugent hit another field goal, and quarterback Chad Pennington hit two long touchdown passes to Laveranues Coles to open the score up 20-3 with less than 13 minutes to play. Miami didn't give up though as Dolphins quarterback Joey Harrington who played miserable in the first three quarters was on fire in the fourth. He finished 27 of 43 for 266 yards with a touchdown strike to wide reciever Chris Chambers, but two interceptions cost him. The touchdown to Chris Chambers happened with less than nine minutes on the clock, narrowing the margin to 20-10. With less than four minutes of play time left, Dolphins running back Ronnie Brown, who had his first 100 yard rushing game of the season, had a one yard touchdown run, to narrow the score to 20-17. Miami got the ball one last time. Joey Harrington got Miami in striking distance by firing a trio of passes to wide recievers Wes Welker, Chris Chambers, and rookie Derek Hagan, as well as a strike to tight end Randy McMichael. Miami got in field goal range and called for their kicker Olindo Mare to attempt a 51 yard field goal with 33 seconds left to force OT. Mare kicked it but it was short and wide right, and the Jets held on to win as Miami will have to wait for its miracle another day.
Result: New York 20 Miami 17
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