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No comeback needed
Gamebook
Associated Press
MIAMI (Nov. 19, 2000) — The sack by Mo Lewis that knocked Jay Fiedler out
of the game on the first play Sunday was hardly a surprise. After
all, the New York Jets have spent the past three seasons beating up
on the Miami Dolphins.
The AFC East-leading Dolphins sputtered without their
quarterback Sunday and lost to New York for the sixth consecutive
time, 20-3.
Damon Huard threw three interceptions subbing for Fiedler,
sidelined by a pinched nerve in his neck, and Miami castoff Bernie
Parmalee scored twice in the final seven minutes to sew up another
New York win over the Dolphins.
"I'm sure it's driving them crazy," Jets safety Victor Green
said. "They have a tough time beating us. Whatever it is, we have
their number."
The Jets' winning streak in the series includes their comeback
from a 30-7 fourth-quarter deficit for a 40-37 overtime victory
four weeks ago.
This time the Dolphins never had a lead to blow.
"We might be cursed," Miami third-year receiver Oronde Gadsden
said. "I haven't beaten them since I've been here. It might be
me."
The Dolphins (8-3) remained alone atop the AFC East, but their
three-game winning streak ended. The Jets (7-4) won for the first
time since their earlier victory over Miami and got back into the
division race.
"We stopped the bleeding," Green said. "We put a little patch
over it."
With both offenses hampered by injuries, the game was less
riveting than the Monday night thriller last month. Miami running
back Lamar Smith (hamstring) and New York running back Curtis
Martin (sprained back) both missed much of the game.
But it was Fiedler's injury in the opening minute that was
pivotal. Lewis caught the quarterback from behind and slammed him
to the turf shoulder-first. Fiedler left the game, winced when he
tried to throw on the sideline and watched the second half in
street clothes.
"It was painful coming across my body and trying to throw," he
said. "I'm just frustrated I wasn't able to be in the game and
finish with the team."
Huard led Miami to a 5-1 record last season when Dan Marino was
hurt, but he looked rusty in his first action this season.
"As the trigger man you've got to make plays, and I didn't make
enough," Huard said. "It was a matter of not executing as an
offense."
Huard finished 16-for-29 for 128 yards and drew boos from the
crowd.
Chris Hayes and rookies Tony Scott and Shaun Ellis each made his
first interception of the season, with the last two turnovers
setting up Parmalee's TD runs of 18 and 7 yards.
Parmalee, filling in for Martin, scored his first touchdowns
rushing since 1995.
"It felt good because we came in here and had to have this
game," Parmalee said. "I got an opportunity to go out there and
help the team."
Martin said he was uncertain of his status. He'll undergo X-rays
Monday in New York.
Smith, who ran for 155 yards against New York last month, left
the game in the first half. But Miami coach Dave Wannstedt declined
to blame injuries for the loss.
"We've got some new guys in there. They've got to step up and
perform," he said.
Wannstedt said he expected Fiedler and Smith to play Sunday at
Indianapolis.
| SUPERLATIVES |
OFFENSE:In a game that lacked much offense on either side, former-Dolphin Bernie Parmalee provided a spark. Parmalee rushed for 57 yards on 14 carries, including two fourth-quarter scores.
DEFENSE: LB Mo Lewis tied for the Jets lead with seven tackles and also had two sacks in a dominating performance by the New York defense.
STAT OF THE GAME: The Jets have defeated Miami six straight times, and now have a one-game lead in the all-time series (35-34-1).
KEY MOMENT: In the games' opening minute, Lewis sacked Dolphins quarterback Jay Fieldler, slamming him to the turf in the process. Fiedler left the game with a pinched nerve, and backup Damon Huard could never get the Miami offense on track.
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John Hall twice gave the Jets the lead with field goals of 39
and 33 yards, and their defense did the rest. New York held Miami
to 200 yards, and the Dolphins were hurt by 11 penalties for 99
yards.
A dead-ball personal foul against Robert Jones kept the Jets'
first scoring drive alive, and Hall's field goal gave them a 3-0
lead. It was only the second time this season New York has scored
first.
After Olindo Mare kicked a 47-yard field goal for Miami's lone
score, New York moved 62 yards in the final 68 seconds of the first
half, and Hall's field goal on the final play put New York ahead
6-3.
The Jets nursed the lead through the third period, then came up
with another big finish. They've outscored opponents 105-50 in the
fourth quarter this season, and they've scored 80 points in the
final period of their past four games against Miami.
Notes: Miami receiver Leslie Shepherd suffered a right hip
pointer, and punt returner Jeff Ogden sprained his right shoulder.
The Jets' Laveranues Coles sprained his left knee on a kickoff
return. ... The Dolphins have been outscored 88-34 in the fourth
quarter this year. ... The Jets took a 35-34-1 lead in the series.
... Vinny Testaverde threw two interceptions and has at least two
in each of his past five games. ... The Jets, minus-7 in turnovers
the past three weeks, were a plus-2 Sunday. ... Miami had allowed
only three touchdowns at home this season until Parmalee's scores.
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The Jets' 20-3 win was the sixth in a row against Miami.