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The Miami Dolphins celebrated rookie Kenyan Drake’s 96-yard kickoff return in a dog pile and would later celebrate their third consecutive win on Sunday. Trailing the New York Jets 23-20 with 5:15 left to go in the fourth quarter, Drake took the kickoff to the house to lift the Dolphins to a 27-23 win Sunday in Miami.
Kenyan Drake got the juice. pic.twitter.com/IZFj8Zskrf
— Peter Ariz (@PeterAriz) November 6, 2016
Even though Miami running back Jay Ajayi missed the chance to become the first NFL rusher to have three consecutive 200-yard games, he still ran for 111 yards against the Jets defense. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill was 17 for 28 with 137 yards and a touchdown as well.
Ajayi struggled to find holes early in the game, and was hit behind the line on many of his 24 carries, but he broke through and rushed for 55 yards in the fourth quarter.
"Anytime you can get over 100 yards against the No. 1 rush defense, kudos to those guys up front."https://t.co/bSCoKAXg91
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) November 7, 2016
New York on the other hand fell deeper into last place in the AFC East. The kick to Ajayi was a re-kick and proved costly because on the kickoff before, the Jets were able to stop Miami’s Jakeem Grant deep but Antonio Allen was flagged for offside.
It was one of many mistakes that hurt the Jets. Four personal foul penalties, two interceptions and two fumbles by quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick and many missed chances allowed their record to fall to 3-6.
Fitzpatrick gave the credit to the Dolphins for their performance, but assumed the team’s responsibility for missed opportunities.
The Jets were without Fitzpatrick for four plays midway through the second half because of a left knee injury. He returned with a brace and will have an MRI exam Monday.
Jets head coach Todd Bowles noted the team’s need for better composure. Early in the game, the Jets were all over Ajayi, who lost 3, 1 and 5 yards on his first three carries but an unnecessary roughness penalty on Buster Skrine and a taunting penalty on Calvin Pryor negated the losses.
Sheldon Richardson was flagged for unnecessary roughness twice in the second the quarter after coming off of the bench. Bowles benched defensive ends Richardson and Wilkerson for the first quarter.
The Jets will prepare for to go on the road to play the Los Angeles Rams (3-5) this Sunday. The Dolphins hope to continue the momentum they have going as they face off with the San Diego Chargers (4-5) this weekend.
