All right Miami!!!! I haven't watched the game yet (as soon as I can get the time, and it's on NFL Replay, I will), but that's the first thing I thought when I saw the score.
Nothing really matters outside of the fact that, even though we may not be heading to the post season, neither are the Jets. That's always a nice end-of-season bonus.
Quarterback Matt Moore finished the game 22-for-32 for just 135 yards, with a touchdown and two interceptions. Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez topped Moore in every category, throwing for 207 yards, for two touchdowns, and three picks.
Miami obviously missed starting running back Reggie Bush, with Steve Slaton proving to be the team's leading rusher with just 55 yards on 11 carries. Rookie Daniel Thomas gained 12 yards on 28 carries. On the other side, LaDainian Tomlinson led all rushers with a whopping 56-yards, with Shonn Greene adding 55 of his own.
As for the receivers, Jeremy Kerley led the way for the Jets, with a game high 71-yards, and tight end Dustin Keller pulled in 7 passes. For Miami, Brandon Marshall caught 5 of his 8 targeted passes, gaining 50 yards. The lone Miami touchdown came on a one yard pass to rookie Charles Clay.
Randy Starks, defensive end, had the game of his life today, sacking Sanchez once, and picking him off twice. Linebacker Marvin Mitchell added an interception as well.
While the Jets scored two touchdowns through the air, the Dolphins relied on the right foot of kick Dan Carpenter. With just the one touchdown from Moore to Clay, it was up to DC$ to score the 12 points needed to push Miami to the win. And, Carpenter didn't disappoint, going 4-for-4, with a long of 58-yards as time ran out in the first half.
But the real story of the game was Jason Taylor. Although Taylor only tallied one tackle and one quarterback hit, the day belonged to the retiring Dolphins legend. The team recognized him before the game, and then carried him off the field at the end of the game. Taylor finishes his career, a 15-year career that will ultimately lead him to Canton and enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, in sixth place all time in sacks, with 139.5. Taylor has been the face of the Dolphins franchise for so long, it's odd to think of him not out there. Even with a year in Washington with the Redskins, and last season with the Jets, Taylor always was a Miami Dolphin - even in London where a giant Taylor robot was made to advertise the first ever regular season game in London back in 2007 - and he will be missed.
JT, we will miss you.
Now, on to one final celebration of a win, and then it's time to sit back, watch some playoff football over the next few weeks, and start figuring out what we, and the team, are going to do for the offseason.