Bryce Petty turned the ball over three times as the New York Jets fell lifelessly to the Miami Dolphins at home.

  • Miami Dolphins: 34 (9-5)
  • New York Jets: 13 (4-10)
  • NFL, FINAL, Box Score
  • MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ

Just by glancing at the final score, it would be awfully hard to believe that the New York Jets were very much in this game at halftime.

Well, that’s why you typically have to play 60 quality minutes to win a football game. That’s also why the Miami Dolphins are a playoff team and the Jets are the furthest thing from one.

On a chilly Saturday night at MetLife Stadium, Miami toppled New York, sweeping the season series against its northeast divisional foe for the first time since 2009.

The Jets were outscored 21-3 in a second half which even saw the entrance of Ryan Fitzpatrick, who came on after Bryce Petty endured a brutal hit in the backfield.

The 25-year-old exited after completing 20 of his 36 passes for 235 yards, one touchdown, two interceptions, and a lost fumble.

Matt Moore, on the other hand, had himself a night. After a relatively rough start, he got in an impactful rhythm, completing 67 percent (12-18) of his passes for 236 yards and four touchdowns.

Overshadowed in the miserable Jet performance was a stellar night from running back Bilal Powell, who rushed for 84 yards on 16 carries and added another 65 yards on 10 receptions.

With the victory, the Dolphins moved substantially closer to a spot in the AFC playoffs, reducing emphasis on their Week 17 matchup with the New England Patriots.

Highlights

Bryce Petty displayed poise from the get-go, calling an audible to create man coverage with Robby Anderson out of the slot. The 23-year-old wideout quickly created separation, resulting in a 40-yard touchdown on the opening drive.

However, that early game command diminished rather quickly. Petty fumbled in the red zone on the ensuing possession, handing Miami an unexpected opportunity. In the early stages of the second quarter, Matt Moore — the replacement for injured quarterback, Ryan Tannehill — found his tight end, Dion Sims, in the end zone on a play that was initially ruled incomplete, but later overturned as replay showed both knees coming down inbounds.

Speaking of the diminished command, the rookie mistakes, and the learning experiences, the fumble was not Petty’s first blunder. On the following possession, one which desired an answer to the Dolphins’ first score, another drive-killer landed in the arms of Cameron Wake, as the young QB turned the ball over once again.

Right around the two minute mark before halftime, Moore finally capitalized on New York’s lack of effectiveness, airing it out for the first time on the night. The 32-year-old, making his first start since the 2011-12 season, unleashed a long ball over the top, ultimately connecting with Kenny Stills for a 52-yard score.

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The Jets answered with a Nick Folk 48-yard field goal prior to the break, but still trailed 13-10 through one half of play.

On the opening drive of the second half, Moore became a little too comfortable with his arm, as he attempted to to go for it all again. The veteran’s deep ball down the right sideline fell into the arms of Juston Burris, who picked up his first NFL interception.

However, the Jets were unable to capitalize — to say the least. After being halted at their own 41, Lac Edwards had his punt blocked by Walt Aikens, who scooped up the loose ball at the 11-yard line and scampered away for six.

At that point, the Jets were in search of new life. Things did not get much better. Petty turned the ball over for the third time, heaving one into the grasp of cornerback Tony Lippett.

Momentum had completely shifted away from New York. Moore and Miami developed a groove, eventually punching in another score with Dion Sims — his second TD of the game — to extend the lead to 17.

Soon thereafter, with just over six minutes left in the third quarter, Jarvis Landry used a burst of speed on a slant route to break away for a 66-yard touchdown, officially blowing the game open.