JETS vs. DOLPHINS, October 23, 2000
It was a match-up of two 5-1 teams - Jets vs. Dolphins in the meadowlands on Monday Night Football. Things were looking bleak for the New York Jets. The Dolphins Lamar Smith scored with 12 seconds remaining in the quarter giving the Fish a commanding 30-7 lead. At that moment, Fielder walked off the field and went over to Jason Taylor to tell him the game was over. Half of the crowd left as it started getting late and the game was just ugly with the Jets not doing a thing right. The clock struck midnight and then it all started changing.
For some reason we stayed and said, "If we don't score on this drive, we are leaving." Well, we didn't leave and things started getting pretty.
Before we know it, Vinny came out in the 4th quarter to lead the Jets to a TD capped off by a Vinny to Laveraneus Coles 30 yard touchdown. All of a sudden, with almost a full quarter to go, we were down 16 points (that's TWO scores with a 2-pt conversion).
The defense then held with the Jets stopping the run and pressuring the quarterback. Four minutes later, we had the ball. Vinny led the time back down the field and found Jermaine Wiggins for a 1 yard score.. We went for 2 points but were not successful and were now down 10 points.
Before I could even realize what was happening, strong D got us the ball back and John Hall booted a field goal with 5:43 remaining in the game to cut the score to 30 to 23. Down now only 7 points with just under 6 minutes to go.
What was even crazier was that fans were being let back into the game. Security was breaking the rules and letting people back through the turnstile.
Could we cap off this miracle 4th quarter? My heart was beating faster that a chef beats eggs. Another strong showing by the defense and the Dolphins were forced to punt. Vinny walked us right down the field again, this time hitting Wayne Chrebet for a 24 yard touchdown to tie the game. However, there was still 3:55 remaining and the way this quarter was going, anything could happen...and it did. But, it didn't stop us from going berserk in the stands when the score was tied. I was hugging everyone in my section, high fives, confetti, etc... It was madness.
Then, depression set in. On the 2nd play of the Dolphin's drive, Jay hit Leslie Shepherd for a 46 yard touchdown to now put the Dolphins back up by 7. The stands got quiet again. Would it be possible to drive down the field again?
With time now a major factor, Vinny started working some magic again using Richie Anderson as a weapon but the time kept on ticking as we got to the red zone with no time-outs remaining. We were on the four yard line, it was 4th & 1, and there was around a minute to go and Vinny connects with Richie Anderson for a 2 yard pickup. FIRST DOWN !
After an unsuccessful first down play, It all came down to this. Jets were on the Miami 3 yard line (in front my end zone where the entire 4th quarter was) and we were 3 yards away from a Touchdown. The crowd was roaring. The stadium was rocking. And the Jets pulled out a play for all ages. Jumbo Elliot reported in as an eligible receiver.
Vinny called for the ball, the receivers went out, including a Wide Open Jumbo Elliot. Testervede tossed him the ball. It felt like the ball was in the air for minutes. Jumbo bobbled it and some how managed to get his hand under the ball. TOUCHDOWN ! We then had to sweat out an extra point by John hall which he hit. Jets tie up the game at 37 a piece with only 42 seconds remaining.
The fun was far from over. Fieldler was driving the Dolphins into field goal range when Marcus Coleman intercepted the ball and started running the ball back the other way. Jets Ball, well, only for a few seconds, because Coleman fumbled the ball on the interception return. Classic example of Hero to Goat. But, if you believe in Miracles, as Fiedler started driving back down the field, Marcus Coleman redeemed himself by picking off another ball.
Vinny drives us to set up a 40 yard field goal. The crowd is as loud as I've ever heard it and John Hall boots a 40 yard field goal. The Monday Night Miracle was complete. At almost 2:00 in the morning, the Jets accomplished the impossible, a 40-37 OT victory after scoring a team record 30 fourth-quarter points while overcoming a 23 point deficit. That in turn, tied the 2nd largest comeback in NFL history for a club trailing after 3 quarters. Vinny because the 3rd player in NFL history to throw 4 fourth quarter touchdowns. Vinny's 4th quarter numbers were: 18 of 26 for 235 yards and 4 TDs.
It was a night where you got home at 4:00 am and had to find some highlights of the game before attempting to go to bed for a few hours before work.
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