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BOX SCORE
MIAMI (AP) -- 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.
|  | | Former Dolphin Bernie Parmalee scored on runs of 18 and 7 yards in the final seven minutes for the Jets. |
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.
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TOM DONAHOE'S BREAKDOWN |
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Question on the Jets: Is this just another case of the Jets having
the Dolphins' number?
Donahoe: For whatever reason, the Dolphins have had a lot of trouble
in recent years beating the Jets -- as they did today. The Dolphins came
into the game with everyone talking about their defense, but it was the
Jets' defense that stepped up big. The Jets shut down the Dolphins' running
game and continually put pressure on quarterback Damon Huard. New York converted
four Miami turnovers into 14 points. As key as creating turnovers is,
converting those turnovers into points may be even bigger.
Question on the Dolphins: Should Miami be concerned about its depth
on offense?
Donahoe: Miami quarterback Jay Fiedler was hurt on the first
play today and did not return. His replacement, Huard, has not played this
season -- and it showed. Huard looked uncertain with his reads and with some
of his throws. If Fiedler's injury bothers him long-term, offensive depth
could be more of an issue for the Dolphins. But the turnovers really killed
Miami's chances today. How ironic is it that Jay Fiedler has been able to
replace Dan Marino this season, but Damon Huard could not replace Fiedler
today.
Tom Donahoe, ESPN.com's NFL analyst, was formerly the Steelers' director
of football operations.
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"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.
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.
Game 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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ALSO SEE
NY Jets Clubhouse
Miami Clubhouse
Clayton: Jets win war of attrition
Parmalee keeps Jets in running for East title
Fiedler injured on first play, leaves game with back spasms
AUDIO/VIDEO
 A disappointed Dave Wannstedt tries to explain his team's lackluster effort.
wav: 213 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
Dave Wannstedt comments on the status of Jay Fiedler and Lamar Smith.
wav: 214 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
Vinny Testaverde and the Jets continue to play with heart.
wav: 45 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
For Bernie Parmalee, Jets plus Dolphins equals good game.
wav: 48 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
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