The New York Jets concluded the 2003 season on Sunday as they lost to the Miami Dolphins, 21-23. This very close game was unfortunately decided by quite a few questionable calls by the referees. They made two offensive pass interference calls on TE Anthony Becht, one of which nullified a Jets touchdown and the other killed a Jets drive late in the 4th quarter.
At first it seemed like the game would be a total blowout, as the Dolphins took a 13-0 lead in the second quarter. However, the Jets came right back when RB Curtis Martin scored on an 8-yard run. This was Martin’s only second rushing touchdown of the season. Miami responded with a touchdown of their own when QB Jay Fiedler connected with WR Chris Chambers on a 20-yard strike. The Jets tried to answer but had to settle for a field goal, making the score 10-20 at halftime. In the third quarter the Gang Green cut the Dolphins’ lead to just 5 points. First, PK Doug Brien scored his second field goal of the game, and then the Jets scored a safety when Miami snapped the ball out of their end zone on a punt attempt. In the fourth quarter QB Chad Pennington found TE Anthony Becht in the end zone and the Jets took a 21-20 lead with less than nine minutes to go in the quarter. The ensuing two-point attempt failed but the Jets defense came up with a huge play when rookie LB Victor Hobson made an interception in the end zone with just a bit over four minutes to go in the game. Two plays later Pennington completed an 18-yard pass to Becht that was called back by the above mentioned questionable offensive pass interference call on the Jets tight end. The Dolphins got the ball back, drove to the Jets’ 4-yard line and scored the game-winning field goal.
QB Chad Pennington was able to rebound from his horrible performance one week ago when he threw career-high five interceptions. This time Pennington was 22 of 28 for a total of 221 yards, 1 touchdown and no interceptions. His quarterback rating was an excellent 111.5. WR Santana Moss led the team with 6 receptions for 66 yards. RB Curtis Martin gained 92 yards on 24 carries and crossed the 1,300-yard mark for the 4th time in his career.
On defense MLB Marvin Jones recorded 11 tackles (5 solo) in what was most likely his last game as a Jet. LB Mo Lewis, another player that we’ll never see wear a Jets uniform again, recorded 2 tackles (1 solo) in his 200th and last career game. DE Shaun Ellis made his first sack in 5 games and finished the season with a career-high 12.5 sacks. Rookie LB Victor Hobson made 4 tackles (3 solo) besides the interception in the fourth quarter. DT Dewayne Robertson disappointed once again, as he recorded only 1 tackle and was penalized for a roughing the passer penalty in the 4th quarter.
Stay tuned for our post season analysis in the upcoming weeks.