Miami Dolphins offensive recap Vs Jets week 15

Saturday night was more than alright. The Miami Dolphins offense played as well as expected if not more. And by having a decisive victory over the Jets they stay in the playoff picture and with more wins that picture becomes clearer. This also makes the first winning season going back to 2008.

More from Dolphins News

• 4 offensive tackles Miami Dolphins could draft at 51
• Miami Dolphins don’t need CB help but these 5 could be available at 51
• 4 players that could replace Wilkins if Miami Dolphins don’t re-sign him
• Miami Dolphins have a starting point with Wilkins after Simmons deal
• The Miami Dolphins should not take a running back in the draft

Miami Dolphins QB Matt Moore had one of the most efficient games of his career. An astounding one-third of his completions went for TD’s, two of those TD’s to Jarvis Landry and Kenny Stills were over 50 yards each. The longer TD pass of the two was actually the shortest pass in the air, a 4 yard middle slant to Landry, he made a first defender miss a tackle then only had one more to beat going a full 66 yards. Jets coach (for now) Todd Bowles can be seen shaking his head on the sideline during the play (see below tweet). His team was so worried to stop the run that they left a soft middle and little back deep.

Well they did stop the run the Dolphins had a total of 67 yards rushing. When center Mike Pouncey last played Jay Ajayi had a 111 yards rushing game and the two games before that were over 200 yards each. From Pouncey’s absence till now Ajayi has not had a running game with over 100 yards. He had 51 yards this game and has had two games with under 50 yards each. Bringing in back up Kraig Urbik to play center over Anthony Steen did not seem to help although it was needed as his performance had been eroding. His injuries my have caught up to him.

On the first scoring drive when on the goal line first and ten center Urbik steps on Moore’s foot causing him to fall as he hands off to Damien Williams who did not score. This is a carry over from last game and it is unfortunate that it didn’t get worked out during the week leading up to the game. Ajayi got the hand off next with a clean exchange from under center this time but he was stacked up. Moore then rolls out right and hits Dion Sims for the TD he made a great grab while having his knees inbound. This play was not ruled a TD but successfully contested by coach Gase. Only the view from the back of the end zone in super slow motion makes it clear this was a fortunate overruling.

As the first half was winding down Kenny Stills had a 52 yard TD from Matt Moore who was hit on the throw that went 37 yards making the score 13-7. (missed extra point) The Jets would make a 48 yard field goal with 18 seconds left in the half making it 13-10 Miami Dolphins.

After the half a Walt Aikens special teams 11 yard blocked punt return for a TD made it 20-10. Then Moore throws his lone interception of the game. It was 3rd and 6 and he appeared to under throw DeVante Parker Moore was not under that much pressure (blocks picked up late) and was not hit. The Jets got the ball on their own 30 but failed to make anything from it.

With 10;12 left in the 3rd after an INT that put the ball on the Dolphins 40 Matt Moore got on a hot streak hitting on passes to Landry about 11 yards downfield who makes his now trademark spin move after the catch shaking the two defenders then gaining about 15 more yards. Moore then hit Sims 37 yards downfield he had a defender on him early and made a great play to get the ball then almost get in the end zone. After a failed run attempt from Williams on 1st and goal. They try again with Ajayi on what looked like a TD but wasn’t. Now 3rd and goal Williams starts in motion to the right but Moore throws to Sims who slanted inside from the right deep in the end zone, TD 27-10.

For the last scoring drive with 6:26 left in the 3rd the Miami Dolphins offense starts on their own 39 yard line. Landry takes a 4 yard middle slant pass from Moore 66 yards for the score making it now 34-10. He almost did the same last week on a 71 yard catch and run.

The Jets would get the only other score in the game a FG with 5:43 left to play. And with a comfortable lead the Dolphins would focus on the run and eating the clock for the rest of the game.

Team Stats Dolphins

First Downs 13
Rush-Yds-TDs 27-67-0
Cmp-Att-Yd-TD-INT 12-18-236-4-1
Sacked-Yards 1-0
Net Pass Yards 236
Total Yards 303
Fumbles-Lost 1-0
Turnovers 1
Penalties-Yards 9-70
Third Down Conv. 5-12
Fourth Down Conv. 0-0
Time of Possession 27:28

Landry takes a 4 yard middle slant pass from Moore 66 yards for the score

Matt Moore gets hit after the throw completing a deep post to Stills who scores.

It may look out but Sims DID get his knees in bounds for the TD.

Games notes

•Reggie Bush-Brandon Marshall and Jay Ajayi-Jarvis Landry Miami Dolphins ONLY TWO 1,000-yard RB/WR duos.

•Kenny Stills is the first Dolphins WR with 3 touchdown receptions of 50-plus yards in a season since WR Mark Duper did it in 1986.

•There were few plays for Jay Ajayi when he had a hole to run through and when he finally gets a respectable hole with a lineman blocking down field he fumbles running into him. The Dolphins did recover that fumble.

•Coach Gase called two challenges both were successful; a TD call with Sims and a 4th and 1 Vs a 4th and an inch measurement.

•QB Matt Moore set a new career high with four TD passes. He hasn’t started a game in five years.

•Jay Ajayi and Jarvis Landry both got to over the 1,000 yards mark for the season this game.

Last words

Fear of the unknown is creeping up and it entails the old vs the new pertaining to ‘gunslinger’ Matt Moore who had a good TD to INT ratio at about half (16-9) but lost 11 fumbles during his most starts (12) as a Dolphins QB in 2011. He also had 36 sacks way back then, only had one sack this game so he should have better protection although he is getting hit on throws. T.J. Yates is next in line heaven forbid. The new part is having competent coaching now. Has Gase coached out all those turnovers from Moore and can he stay healthy? He did have a career game so it is off to a great start.