In his first start in over five years, Matt Moore had his best game as an NFL player. The nine-year veteran threw for 236 yards and four touchdowns in the Miami Dolphins 34-13 stomping of the New York Jets on Saturday night.
Moore threw two touchdown passes to Dion Sims, a 52-yarder to Kenny Stills and a 66-yarder to Jarvis Landry in Dolphins ninth win of the season. Because of Saturday’s victory, Miami (9-5) will finish with a winning record for the first time since 2008. The Dolphins moved into the sixth spot in the AFC as they hope to end their seven-year playoff drought.
“There were some nerves and maybe it showed a little early,” said Moore, whose wife gave birth to son Wyatt Monday. “We started slow, but got in the groove in the middle part. Once we got going, that negative stuff wore off and I got on a roll. Credit these guys for getting us going and making plays. Once those guys got the ball in their hands, it was impressive.”
After finishing 10-6 a year ago, the Jets lost their 10th game of the season. In his fourth start of the season, Jets quarterback Bryce Petty was knocked out of the game on a fourth quarter hit by Cameron Wake and Ndamukong Suh.
At the beginning of the game, the Jets struck first as Petty threw a 40-yard touchdown to Robby Anderson to make the game 7-0.
Miami would answer in the second quarter as they scored 13 points. Moore’s pass to Stills gave the Dolphins a 13-7 lead. Jets kicker Nick Folk would cut the Dolphins lead to 13-10 as the team headed into halftime.
In the third quarter, the Dolphins scored 21 points to pull away. Walt Aikens returned a Dolphins blocked punt 11 yards for the touchdown. The quarter also so touchdowns by Sims and Landry.
Up next for the Jets is a trip to Foxboro to take on the New England Patriots. Miami will also be on the road next week as they will travel to Buffalo to play the Bills.
