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Wednesday, December 22
Updated: December 23, 11:58 PM ET
 
Baxter Bits: Dolphins at Jets

By Russell S. Baxter
Special to ESPN.com

The Jets make their way south to Pro Player Stadium in position to sweep this always-engaging rivalry for the second straight year.

Two weeks ago at East Rutherford (Week 14), Jets QB Ray Lucas threw for 230 yards and a pair of touchdowns (both to WR Keyshawn Johnson) and FS Omar Stoutmire returned a Dan Marino interception 67 yards for a score as Bill Parcells team scored 22 points in the final quarter in a 28-20 victory.

While Miami still owns a three-game edge in the series standings (35-32-1, including playoffs), Jets have now prevailed in the last 3 battles dating back to 1998.

As for New Yorks last appearance at Pro Player Stadium (Week 15 of 98), Jets QB Vinny Testaverde threw for 232 yards and a score (1 INT) and LB Chad Cascadden sacked Marino, forced a fumble and returned the miscue 23 yards for what proved to be the game-winning touchdown as Parcells club posted a 21-16 Sunday night triumph (ESPN).

The Jets are 5-7 lifetime at Pro Player Stadium dating back to 1987.

Numbers: Dolphins QB Dan Marino owns a 17-12 record vs. the Jets and has thrown for 8,333 yards, 69 touchdowns and just 33 interceptions in 29 career games vs. the Jets, throwing two or more TD passes in 21 of those games and three or more TD passes in 13 of those contests.

In his last three games, Jets WR Keyshawn Johnson has caught 27 passes for 338 yards and two touchdowns. In eight games vs. Miami (5 with Patriots, 3 with Jets), Jets RB Curtis Martin has carried 178 times for just 591 yards and seven touchdowns, rushing for 100 or more yards in just two of those contests. Including playoffs, the Jets have allowed just 261 points in 19 wins (17 or fewer points in 14 of those contests) while giving up 321 points in 13 losses dating back to 98. Including playoffs, the Jets have committed just 23 turnovers in 19 wins, 28 turnovers in 13 losses dating back to 98. The Jets have allowed 35 sacks in 14 games in 99, this after allowing just 25 sacks in 16 games in 98.

Dolphins PK Olindo Mare has kicked 37 field goals in 14 games in 99, tying the NFL record for field goals in a season (37), set first by Carolinas John Kasay in 1996. The Dolphins have allowed eight defensive touchdowns returns (6 interceptions, 2 fumbles) in 14 games in 99. The Dolphins defense has allowed 18 touchdowns, while Miamis offense and special teams have given up 9 touchdowns (6 interceptions, 2 fumbles, 1 kickoff) in 14 games in 99. In 16 home games (9 in 1998, 7 in 1999) dating back to 98 (including playoffs), the Dolphins have allowed just 214 points, 3,929 yards of total offense (245.6 YPG) and just 13 offensive touchdowns. Since 1996 (including playoffs), under head coach Jimmy Johnson, the Dolphins have totaled 119 sacks and 95 takeaways in 37 wins but just 37 QB traps and 36 takeaways in 28 losses. The Dolphins have committed two or more turnovers in five straight games. They have been limited to fewer than 100 yards rushing in four straight games.

Things to look for: Bill Parcells continues to show why he is one of the leagues premier coaches as just when it looked like his team was preparing for the offseason, they put together impressive efforts in surprises of Miami and Dallas. Jimmy Johnsons offense has disappeared down the stretch, and Dolphins QB Dan Marino will have to come up with a huge effort to reverse his current misfortunes.

Etc.: The Jets are making their third of three Monday night appearances this season (1-1 in 99) and are 11-17 lifetime on Monday Night Football, including 5-12 on the road. The Dolphins are making their third of three Monday night appearances this season (1-1 in 99) and are 35-27 lifetime on Monday Night Football (just 14-17 on Monday nights since 1986), including 29-14 at home. The Dolphins are 4-7 on Monday Night Football under head coach Jimmy Johnson dating back to 1996, while Johnson is 7-10 lifetime on Monday Night Football with the Cowboys (3-3) and Dolphins (4-7). The Dolphins are making their NFL-high 63rd appearance on Monday Night Football and have posted an NFL-best 35 victories on MNF. This marks the seventh time the Jets and Dolphins have collided on Monday Night Football and the first time since 1987, with Miami owning a 4-2 advantage in the 6 previous encounters. Jets head coach Bill Parcells owns an 8-3 mark vs. Dolphins head coach Jimmy Johnson (Parcells Giants were 4-0 vs. Johnsons Cowboys in 1989-90, Parcells Patriots were 1-1 vs. Johnsons Dolphins in 1996 and Parcells Jets are 3-2 vs. Johnsons Dolphins since 1997). Parcells owns a 37-20 regular-season record in December/January (18-12 with Giants from 1983-90, 12-5 with Patriots from 1993-96, 7-3 with Jets from 1997-99), including 34-13 since 1986. The Jets are just 12-23 in their last 35 games vs. divisional competition dating back to 1995, but are 10-5 vs. AFC East rivals dating back to 98.





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