The Dolphins got off to a good start against the Jets on Sunday, but Geno Smith did some damage to their playoff chances before halftime in Miami.
Smith led a pair of touchdown drives in the second quarter to give the Jets a 14-7 lead at the half in Miami. Smith ran the ball in from seven yards out with three seconds left in the half to grab the lead and give some hope to the other Wild Card aspirants in the AFC.
Smith took the Jets 80 yards in 11 plays on that drive, which came after he led them on a 71-yard, 10-play drive that culminated in rookie defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson’s second touchdown plunge of the season. Smith has run for 32 yards and completed 9-of-15 passes for 126 yards while avoiding turnovers for the second week in a row.
Miami’s offense shrugged off the loss of wide receiver Brian Hartline to take a 7-0 lead, but their offense has been plagued by near misses. Ryan Tannehill proved it is possible to overthrow Mike Wallace when Wallace was several steps clear of the Jets defense and Rishard Matthews dropped what would have been a first down as well. That led to 146 yards in the half and a halftime deficit that the Dolphins will have to overcome to make the playoffs this season.