A late rally
Backup passes for 2 TDs after Cutler hurt in 3rd
by the Dolphins pushes Miami to a 31-28 win over the New York Jets.
MIAMI GARDENS — The Miami Dolphins had a chance Sunday against the New York Jets to show they’re for real, to show everything they’d done to record back-to-back victories the previous two weeks was just as real, and perhaps even a sign of things to come.
You might have to believe all of that after the Dolphins, under the guidance of backup quarterback Matt Moore, came back from a halftime deficit for the second consecutive week to defeat the Jets 31-28 at Hard Rock Stadium. Dolphins starting quarterback Jay Cutler left the game in the third quarter with cracked ribs, according to a league source, and there is no timetable for how long Cutler could be out, but his status for Thursday night’s game at Baltimore is questionable due to the short week.
Coach Adam Gase said after the game that Cutler, injured by Jets linebacker Jordan Jenkins, was due to have x-rays and a MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) test Sunday night.
Miami kicker Cody Parkey hit the game-winning 39-yard field goal with 22 seconds left after nickel cornerback Bobby McCain set up the score with an interception with 39 seconds remaining.
Dolphins linebacker Rey Maualuga could hardly believe his eyes after the turnover.
“Holy [expletive],” he said, summing up his emotions. “It shifted from, ‘Man, we’re freakin’ coming back’ to
‘Holy [expletive], we’re about to win this game!’ ”
Miami, which is on a three-game winning streak, overcame a 28-14 fourthquarter deficit, scoring 17 points in the final period to record the victory in dramatic come-from-behind fashion.
It’s the second week Miami (4-2) has turned that trick. It outscored Atlanta 20-0 in the second half of last week’s come-from-behind 20-17 road victory over the Falcons.
The Dolphins have now won 12 consecutive games decided by seven or fewer
points.
“We like to make things interesting,” right guard Jermon Bushrod said.
McCain intercepted a pass intended for wide receiver Jermaine Kearse.
“He was staring down No. 1 [receiver] the whole time,” said McCain, who recorded Miami’s second interception of the season. “I just jumped the route and caught the ball.”
Miami’s offense was not only playing without Cutler for most of the second half as left tackle Laremy Tunsil apparently suffered a left knee injury in the third quarter.
Regardless, they took advantage of the late-game scoring opportunity. The Dolphins kicked the winning field goal four plays later.
“It was a great win,” Moore said, “and when you can contribute and have a comeback like that, it’s fun for everybody.”
The Dolphins, under the direction of Moore (13 of 21, 188 yards, two touchdowns, one interception, 102.9 passer rating) and Cutler (12 of 16, 138 yards, two touchdowns, one interception, 114.1 passer rating), awakened an offense that entered averaging 12.2 points per game, last in the
NFL.
Defensively, Miami, which entered 11th in the league in total defense, was led by end Cameron Wake (2.5 sacks). He tormented Jets quarterback Josh McCown (16 of 26, 213 yards, three touchdowns, one interception, 109.9 passer rating) all day.
Offensively, the Dolphins were led by their quarterbacks as well as wide receivers Jarvis Landry (seven receptions, 93 yards, one touchdown) and Kenny Stills (six receptions, 85 yards, two touchdowns).
Moore went to work in the
fourth quarter to tie the game at 28. He drove the Dolphins to an apparent touchdown on a pass to Landry. But a pass interference penalty by wide receiver Leonte Carroo negated the score.
But Moore came back and hit Stills on a 2-yard touchdown pass with 6:19 remaining to tie the game at 28. Moore helped the Dolphins whittle their deficit to 28-21, driving them 58 yards in four plays, sparked by an 11-yard pass to Landry on first down, and capped by a 28-yard touchdown pass to Stills.