Jets gut out victory, one win from playoffs

Updated: Dec 26, 2006, 08:02 pm

MIAMI (AP) -- Stymied for three quarters by steady rain, sloppy

play and the Miami Dolphins, the New York Jets found even the

simple task of catching a field-goal snap difficult.

But with the game on the line, and their playoff hopes in

jeopardy, the Jets came up with the big plays they needed.

Elias Says

Chad Pennington
Chad Pennington boosted his pro record to 30-22 (.577) as a starter. With the victory in South Florida, he now owns the highest winning percentage for any quarterback in Jets' history (minimum: 20 starts); that distinction was previously held by Vinny Testaverde, who was 35-26 (.574).

• For more Elias Says, Click here

New York overcame the weather, a sputtering offense and two late

scores by Miami to win 13-10 on Monday night.

"For us it was all about chipping away and waiting for our

moment," Jets coach Eric Mangini said. "This was a game with

tough conditions. We faced a lot of adversity."

All of the points came in the final 17:25. Miami kicked a tying

field goal with 2:09 left, but on the Jets' next play, Leon

Washington caught a short pass from Chad Pennington and broke loose

for a 64-yard gain.

Four plays later, Mike Nugent kicked a 30-yarder with 10 seconds

left. That meant the Jets (9-6) can clinch an AFC wild-card playoff

berth if they beat Oakland (2-13) in their final regular-season

game Sunday.

"We like controlling our own destiny and not having to rely on

someone else to help us," defensive end Shaun Ellis said.

For the Dolphins (6-9), the defeat ensures the first losing

season for Nick Saban in his 13 years as a college and NFL coach.

Miami was eliminated from the playoff race a week ago.

"When it came to it, we just fell apart on defense,"

linebacker Zach Thomas said. "And they made great plays when they

had to."

The rain resulted in a succession of errant and dropped passes --

and 18 punts. A mishandled snap spoiled a field goal try by New

York. Dolphins cornerback Eddie Jackson left the game with a knee

injury when he stumbled and fell on the slippery field without

being hit.

When the Dolphins' scoreless streak reached six quarters, Cleo

Lemon replaced Joey Harrington at quarterback to start the second

half. A third-year pro, Lemon threw his first NFL touchdown pass

and finished 11-for-16 for 104 yards.

"We decided to go with Cleo to see if he would give us a little

bit of a spark," Saban said. "He did a decent job of moving the

team a couple of times."

Miami's Ronnie Brown, back in the lineup after missing three

games with a hand injury, rushed for 110 yards on 18 carries.

But in the fourth quarter, the Jets answered scores by the

Dolphins with scoring drives of 80 and 68 yards.

"We didn't knock them out, but we might have scored a technical

knockout," New York linebacker Jonathan Vilma said.

After Lemon hit Randy McMichael on a 7-yard touchdown pass to

put the Dolphins ahead 7-3, New York regained the lead on

Pennington's 31-yard scoring pass to Jerricho Cotchery with 7:51 to

go.

Cotchery was initially ruled down at the 1-yard line, but the

Jets challenged the spot, and following a review the play was ruled

a touchdown.

A funny bounce then produced the game's only turnover -- and the

tying field goal for Miami.

A short punt by the Dolphins took a backward hop before

deflecting off the arm of Jets blocker Brad Kassell, and Miami's

John Denney recovered at the Jets 42. Eight plays later, Olindo

Mare kicked a 25-yard field goal.

Saban opted to kick rather than trying for a first down on

fourth-and-1.

"Some guys wanted to go for it and some guys wanted to kick

it," Lemon said. "When it's all said and done, Coach Saban's got

to make that decision."

The game was an announced sellout, but because of the Christmas

holiday, the bad weather and the Dolphins' disappointing season,

the stadium was less than half full at the start.

For much of the game, the best plays for the Jets were scrambles

by Pennington, who twice ran for first downs. His 15-yard gain in

the third quarter sparked the game's first scoring drive, which

produced a 22-yard field goal by Nugent.

Pennington finished 14-for-29 for 237 yards

The Jets mounted the best threat in a scoreless first half,

driving 67 yards to the Miami 16. But when New York lined up for a

34-yard field goal try, the perfect snap slipped through the hands

of holder Ben Graham and hit him in the helmet, giving the Dolphins

possession.Game notes
Miami DB Eddie Jackson sustained a knee injury in the

second quarter and was on crutches after the game. DB Andre Goodman

aggravated a shoulder injury in the first quarter. DT Keith Traylor

hurt his knee in the second half. ... New York CB Andre Dyson hurt

his right leg in the third quarter. ... Former T Richmond Webb was

inducted into the Dolphins Honor Roll at halftime. ... The starting

time of Miami's game Sunday at Indianapolis was changed to 4:15

p.m. EST.