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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
MIAMI (AP) -- Two passes by Dan Marino and two by Ray Lucas beat
the Miami Dolphins.
|  | | Ray Lucas completed just 11 of 23 passes, but showed the poise of a veteran and made the big plays when he needed them. |
Marino threw a pair of costly interceptions, Lucas threw two
fourth-quarter touchdown bombs and the New York Jets defeated Miami
for the second time in 15 days Monday night, 38-31.
"It makes a big difference when you're playing a team you know
you can beat, and they're still wondering if they can beat you,"
New York center Kevin Mawae said.
The Jets (7-8), playing only for pride, came from behind twice
in the second half. Lucas' 50-yard scoring pass to Wayne Chrebet put New York ahead 31-28 with 10:41 left, and his next pass less
than two minutes later went to Dedric Ward for a 56-yard touchdown
and a 38-28 lead.
The Dolphins (9-6), bidding for an AFC wild-card playoff berth,
lost for the fifth time in seven games.
"If we can't make it to the playoffs, we might as well have them join us," Jets receiver Keyshawn Johnson said.
Miami now needs to cheer for the Jets next week. If New York beats Seattle or Oakland knocks off Kansas City on Sunday, the Dolphins make the playoffs whether they win or lose against Washington.
With Miami's defeat, the Buffalo Bills clinched a playoff berth.
The game was hyped as perhaps the final performance in Miami by
the 38-year-old Marino, who hasn't said whether he wants to play
next season. He showed flashes of the talent that has made him the
most prolific passer in NFL history, but at times he looked ready
for retirement.
Marino went 29-for-52 for 322 yards and three touchdowns, but
his interceptions gave New York 14 points. Marcus Coleman scored on a 98-yard return, and linebacker Roman Phifer's interception at the
Miami 5 set up another touchdown. Marino finished with three interceptions.
"We just didn't make enough plays and had too many mistakes to
win," Marino said. "I gave them some points."
"He hurt us bad tonight, but we hurt them too," Jets coach
Bill Parcells said. "It's the best win of the year for us."
Marino's scoring passes covered 1 yard to Ed Perry, 3 yards to Stanley Pritchett and 32 yards on a flea-flicker to Tony Martin.
But his arm seemed to tire, and in the fourth quarter he was just
6-for-19 for 79 yards.
Marino gave a wave leaving the field.
"My kids asked me to wave to them after the game," he said.
As for his future, Marino said: "I'm not thinking about that
much right now. I've got all I can do trying to win games. You
never know what life brings."
Lucas led the Jets to their fourth win in a row, completing 11
of 23 passes for 190 yards and three touchdowns. The scoring throws
in the fourth quarter were the longest of his three-year career.
"They've got good players, very good players," a grim Miami
coach Jimmy Johnson said. "Everybody wants to think they're a bad
team because they lost one player (Vinny Testaverde) three months
ago."
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GAME NOTES |
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Miami has given up 10 touchdowns on returns this year --
seven on interceptions, two on fumbles and one on a kickoff. By
giving up seven scores on interception returns, the Dolphins tied
an NFL record held by the 1967 Boston Patriots and 1984 Kansas City
Chiefs.
Dan Marino's 72 touchdown passes against New York are the
most by any quarterback against any team.
Tony Martin became
the second NFL player to gain 1,000 yards receiving with three
teams. The other was Irving Fryar.
Miami's Olindo Mare broke the NFL record of
37 field goals set by Carolina's John Kasay in 1996.
The Jets won despite totaling 21 yards in the second and third periods.
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J.J. Johnson's 1-yard touchdown dive early in the final period
gave Miami a 28-24 lead. But on the next series, Lucas threw long
to a wide-open Chrebet, who shook Patrick Surtain on third-and-5
and put New York ahead to stay.
Miami's Olindo Mare missed a potential tying 54-yard field goal
with nine minutes left. On the next play, Ward beat Terrell Buckley
deep for another score.
Mare made a 37-yarder with 2:20 to go, setting an NFL record
with his 38th field goal of the season. Coleman recovered his
ensuing onside kick, and the Jets ran out the clock.
Two bad throws by Marino kept the Jets ahead most of the night.
With New York leading 10-7 in the second quarter, Coleman
stepped in front of intended receiver O.J. McDuffie for an interception, easily juked past a flailing Marino and sprinted the
rest of the way untouched.
The interception was the seventh returned for a score against
Miami this season, tying an NFL record. Five of the interceptions
were thrown by Marino.
The Dolphins were at their own 4 when Marino made an off-target
toss into the flat that Phifer intercepted and returned to the 1.
Curtis Martin scored two plays later to give New York a 24-21 lead.
The Dolphins took their first lead by tricking the Jets.
Pritchett took a handoff, then pitched back to Marino, who hit a
wide-open Martin in the end zone for a 32-yard score to put Miami
ahead 21-17.
Keyshawn Johnson, who had the best game of his career against Miami two weeks ago, caught a 4-yard touchdown pass from Lucas for
the game's opening score. The Jets mustered little offense after
that -- until the fourth quarter.
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ALSO SEE
NFL Scoreboard
NY Jets Clubhouse
Miami Clubhouse
NFL playoff ramifications
Dolphins' loss puts Bills in playoffs
Week 16 wrap-ups
Week 16 infirmary report
Week 16 stats leaders
PrimeTime Players
TJ's Take on Week 16
AUDIO/VIDEO
 Marcus Coleman says the Jets defense got tough in the second half.
wav: 98 k
Jimmy Johnson has respect for the Jets squad.
wav: 95 k
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