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{{Short description|Miami Dolphins vs New York Jets}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2022}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2022}}
{{distinguish|text=the like-nicknamed [[2005 Washington Redskins season#Week 2: at Dallas Cowboys|2005 Washington Redskins–Dallas Cowboys game]]}}
{{For|the 2006 comeback of the Chicago Bears against the Arizona Cardinals|2006 Chicago Bears–Arizona Cardinals game}}
{{For|the similarly-nicknamed "Monday Night Comeback"|2006 Chicago Bears–Arizona Cardinals game}}
{{Infobox NFL single game
{{Infobox NFL single game
| name = The Monday Night Miracle
| name = The Monday Night Miracle
Line 30: Line 32:
| referee = [[Walt Coleman]]
| referee = [[Walt Coleman]]
| attendance =
| attendance =
| odds = Jets by 3<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200010230nyj.htm |title=Miami Dolphins at New York Jets - October 23rd, 2000 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |access-date=February 22, 2023}}</ref>
| odds =
| network = [[Monday Night Football|ABC]]
| network = [[Monday Night Football|ABC]]
| announcers = [[Al Michaels]], [[Dan Fouts]], and [[Dennis Miller]]
| announcers = [[Al Michaels]], [[Dan Fouts]], and [[Dennis Miller]]
Line 38: Line 40:


==Background==
==Background==
Like their 1994 showdown at Giants Stadium which was made famous by [[Dan Marino|Dan Marino's]] "[[Clock Play|fake spike]]", this game was for first place in the [[AFC East]] as both teams entered the game with identical 5–1 records. But unlike the 1994 game which featured the Jets failing to hold a double-digit (18) lead in the second half, it was the Dolphins who failed to hold the lead.
Like their 1994 showdown at Giants Stadium which was made famous by [[Dan Marino|Dan Marino's]] "[[Clock Play|fake spike]]", this game was for first place in the [[AFC East]] as the Jets were 4-1 and the Dolphins were 5-0. But unlike the 1994 game which featured the Jets failing to hold a double-digit (18) lead in the second half, it was the Dolphins who failed to hold the lead.


The game is notable for having the second largest fourth-quarter comeback in NFL history and the largest comeback in Jets history. It was also voted the greatest game televised on [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]'s ''[[Monday Night Football]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://espn.go.com/abcsports/mnf/s/greatestgames/miaminewyorkjets2000.html|title=MNF's Greatest Games: Miami-New York Jets 2000|first=Mike|last=Diegnan|publisher=[[ESPN on ABC|ABC Sports]] Online|date=December 4, 2002|access-date=February 19, 2008}}</ref> along with being #5 on [[NFL Top Ten]]'s ''Top Ten Comebacks''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nfl.com/nflnetwork/story/09000d5d8112f98e/article/top-10-greatest-comebacks-in-nfl-history|title=Top 10 greatest comebacks in NFL history|work=[[National Football League]]|date=January 7, 2009|access-date=January 3, 2013}}</ref>
The game is notable for having the second largest fourth-quarter comeback in NFL history and the largest comeback in Jets history. It was also voted the greatest game televised on [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]'s ''[[Monday Night Football]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://espn.go.com/abcsports/mnf/s/greatestgames/miaminewyorkjets2000.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030216035427/http://espn.go.com/abcsports/mnf/s/greatestgames/miaminewyorkjets2000.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 16, 2003|title=MNF's Greatest Games: Miami-New York Jets 2000|first=Mike|last=Diegnan|publisher=[[ESPN on ABC|ABC Sports]] Online|date=December 4, 2002|access-date=February 19, 2008}}</ref> along with being #5 on [[NFL Top Ten]]'s ''Top Ten Comebacks''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nfl.com/nflnetwork/story/09000d5d8112f98e/article/top-10-greatest-comebacks-in-nfl-history|title=Top 10 greatest comebacks in NFL history|work=[[National Football League]]|date=January 7, 2009|access-date=January 3, 2013}}</ref>


At the end of the third quarter with the score 30–7 in Miami's favor, Jets broadcaster [[Howard David]] announced, "And with a whole quarter to go, this game is over."
At the end of the third quarter with the score 30–7 in Miami's favor, Jets broadcaster [[Howard David]] announced, "And with a whole quarter to go, this game is over."


==Jets Comeback==
==Jets comeback==
The Jets proceeded to stage a furious rally in the fourth quarter, scoring 23 unanswered points to tie the game at 30. They scored three touchdowns and a field goal, but a two-point conversion attempt to [[Curtis Martin]] was stopped. On the Dolphins' first play from scrimmage after the game was tied, they took the lead on a long touchdown pass by [[Jay Fiedler]] to [[Leslie Shepherd]]. However, the Jets still managed to drive downfield and tie the game. One of the key plays was a 4th down catch at the Dolphins 2-yard line by [[Richie Anderson]] as he caught the ball despite a head-on hit by [[Zach Thomas]] and Dolphins defensive back [[Jerry Wilson (defensive back)|Jerry Wilson]]. Improbably, the tying touchdown was caught by [[offensive tackle]] [[Jumbo Elliott (American football)|John "Jumbo" Elliott]], playing as a [[tackle-eligible play|tackle-eligible]].<ref name="NY Times">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/10/24/sports/pro-football-the-jets-are-the-last-team-standing.html|title=The Jets Are the Last Team Standing|author=Battista, Judy|work=The New York Times|date=October 24, 2000|access-date=December 8, 2009}}</ref> After Elliott caught the touchdown pass, [[Dennis Miller]] remarked how opposing defenses, "couldn't keep him down forever." In the overtime Fiedler was intercepted by [[Marcus Coleman]] but Coleman was hit by [[Thurman Thomas]] and fumbled the ball back to the Dolphins. Several plays later, Coleman intercepted Fiedler again and this time held on. An eventual [[Vinny Testaverde]] pass to [[Wayne Chrebet]] put the Jets in field goal range, and a pass that was nearly intercepted by [[Brock Marion]] hit the ground first, nullifying the turnover. Jets kicker [[John Hall (American football)|John Hall]] then won the game with a field goal with 8:13 remaining in the extra session.<ref name="NY Times"/>
The Jets proceeded to stage a furious rally in the fourth quarter, scoring 23 unanswered points to tie the game at 30. They scored three touchdowns and a field goal, but a two-point conversion attempt to [[Curtis Martin]] was stopped. On the Dolphins' first play from scrimmage after the game was tied, they took the lead on a long touchdown pass by [[Jay Fiedler]] to [[Leslie Shepherd (American football)|Leslie Shepherd]]. However, the Jets still managed to drive downfield and tie the game. One of the key plays was a 4th down catch at the Dolphins 2-yard line by [[Richie Anderson (American football)|Richie Anderson]] as he caught the ball despite a head-on hit by [[Zach Thomas]] and Dolphins defensive back [[Jerry Wilson (defensive back)|Jerry Wilson]]. Improbably, the tying touchdown was caught by [[offensive tackle]] [[Jumbo Elliott (American football)|John "Jumbo" Elliott]], playing as a [[tackle-eligible play|tackle-eligible]].<ref name="NY Times">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/10/24/sports/pro-football-the-jets-are-the-last-team-standing.html|title=The Jets Are the Last Team Standing|author=Battista, Judy|work=The New York Times|date=October 24, 2000|access-date=December 8, 2009}}</ref> After Elliott caught the touchdown pass, [[Dennis Miller]] remarked how opposing defenses, "couldn't keep him down forever." In the overtime Fiedler was intercepted by [[Marcus Coleman]] but Coleman was hit by [[Thurman Thomas]] and fumbled the ball back to the Dolphins. Several plays later, Coleman intercepted Fiedler again and this time held on. An eventual [[Vinny Testaverde]] pass to [[Wayne Chrebet]] put the Jets in field goal range, and a pass that was nearly intercepted by [[Jerry Wilson (defensive back)|Jerry Wilson]] hit the ground first, nullifying the turnover. Jets kicker [[John Hall (American football)|John Hall]] then won the game with a field goal with 8:13 remaining in the extra session.<ref name="NY Times"/>


Actor [[Arnold Schwarzenegger]], while visiting the ABC broadcast booth, said after halftime, {{cquote|[[Wayne Chrebet]] is going to pull it off. I think as usual the Jets are going to come from behind, you will see... I think the Dolphins have to be [[The Terminator|terminated]].}}
Actor [[Arnold Schwarzenegger]], while visiting the ABC broadcast booth to promote his upcoming film ''[[The 6th Day]]'', said after halftime, {{cquote|[[Wayne Chrebet]] is going to pull it off. I think as usual the Jets are going to come from behind, you will see... I think the Dolphins have to be [[The Terminator|terminated]].}}
Chrebet would catch a pass in the fourth quarter for a touchdown to tie the game at 30–30, and the Jets had finally tied the game up. But as soon as the comeback was complete, the Dolphins answered with a 46-yard td pass to Leslie Shepherd on the very first play after the kickoff. With about 3 and a half minutes left in the game, the Jets marched down the field and on the 3 yard line, [[Jumbo Elliott (American football)|Jumbo Elliott]] caught a 3-yard td pass and the game tied up at 37, and with less than 30 seconds, the game was heading for overtime.


The Monday night game for the Jets was in between Games 2 and 3 of the [[Subway Series|All New York]] ([[2000 New York Yankees season|Yankees]] vs. [[2000 New York Mets season|Mets]]) [[2000 World Series]]. The series overshadowed the game. In fact, the crowd broke out into "Let's Go [[New York Yankees|Yankees]]" chants countered by "Let's Go [[New York Mets|Mets]]" chants during the third quarter.
The Monday night game for the Jets was in between Games 2 and 3 of the [[Subway Series|All New York]] ([[2000 New York Yankees season|Yankees]] vs. [[2000 New York Mets season|Mets]]) [[2000 World Series]]. The series overshadowed the game. In fact, the crowd broke out into "Let's Go [[New York Yankees|Yankees]]" chants countered by "Let's Go [[New York Mets|Mets]]" chants during the third quarter.

==Starting lineups==
{{hilite|Hall of Fame‡|#FFCC00}}
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! style="width:160px;" style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Miami Dolphins|year=2000}};" | Miami !! colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | Position !! style="width:160px;" style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|New York Jets|year=2000}};" | New York Jets
|-
| colspan="4" style="text-align:center;" | '''Offense'''
|-
| [[Leslie Shepherd (American football)|Leslie Shepherd]] || colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | WR || [[Dedric Ward]]
|-
| [[Richmond Webb]] || colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | LT || [[Jason Fabini]]
|-
| [[John Bock (American football)|John Bock]] || colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | LG || [[Kerry Jenkins]]
|-
| [[Tim Ruddy]] || colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | C || bgcolor="#FFCC00" | [[Kevin Mawae]]‡
|-
| [[Kevin Donnalley]] || colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | RG || [[Randy Thomas (American football)|Randy Thomas]]
|-
| [[Todd Wade]] || colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | RT || [[Ryan Young]]
|-
| [[Hunter Goodwin]] || colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | TE || [[Fred Baxter]]
|-
| [[Oronde Gadsden]] || colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | WR || [[Wayne Chrebet]]
|-
| [[Jay Fiedler]] || colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | QB || [[Vinny Testaverde]]
|-
| [[Rob Konrad]] || style="text-align:center;" | FB || style="text-align:center;" | WR || [[Laveranues Coles]]
|-
| [[Lamar Smith (American football)|Lamar Smith]] || colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | RB || bgcolor="#FFCC00" | [[Curtis Martin]]‡
|-
| colspan="4" style="text-align:center;" | '''Defense'''
|-
| [[Kenny Mixon]] || style="text-align:center;" | LE || style="text-align:center;" | DE || [[Rick Lyle]]
|-
| [[Tim Bowens]] || style="text-align:center;" | LT || style="text-align:center;" | DT || [[Jason Ferguson (American football)|Jason Ferguson]]
|-
| [[Jermaine Haley]] || style="text-align:center;" | RT || style="text-align:center;" | DE || [[Shane Burton]]
|-
| bgcolor="#FFCC00" | [[Jason Taylor (American football)|Jason Taylor]]‡ || style="text-align:center;" | RE || style="text-align:center;" | LB || [[Mo Lewis]]
|-
| bgcolor="#FFCC00" | [[Zach Thomas]]‡ || style="text-align:center;" | MLB || style="text-align:center;" | LB || [[Bryan Cox]]
|-
| [[Jerry Wilson (defensive back)|Jerry Wilson]] || style="text-align:center;" | WLB || style="text-align:center;" | LB || [[Marvin Jones (linebacker)|Marvin Jones]]
|-
| [[Robert Jones (linebacker)|Robert Jones]] || style="text-align:center;" | SLB || style="text-align:center;" | LB || [[James Farrior]]
|-
| [[Patrick Surtain]] || style="text-align:center;" | LCB || style="text-align:center;" | CB || [[Aaron Glenn]]
|-
| [[Sam Madison]] || style="text-align:center;" | RCB || style="text-align:center;" | CB || [[Marcus Coleman]]
|-
| [[Brock Marion]] || colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | FS || [[Kevin Williams (defensive back)|Kevin Williams]]
|-
| [[Brian Walker (American football)|Brian Walker]] || colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | SS || [[Victor Green]]
|}


==Game summary==
==Game summary==
Line 69: Line 125:
|TV=[[Monday Night Football|ABC]]
|TV=[[Monday Night Football|ABC]]
|TVAnnouncers=[[Al Michaels]], [[Dan Fouts]], and [[Dennis Miller]]
|TVAnnouncers=[[Al Michaels]], [[Dan Fouts]], and [[Dennis Miller]]
|reference= [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200010230nyj.htm Boxscore]
|reference= [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200010230nyj.htm Boxscore], [https://www.nflgsis.com/2000/reg/08/1105/Gamebook.pdf Game Book]
}}{{AmFootballScoreSummaryStart|VisitorName=MIA|HomeName=NYJ|state=}}
|scoring=
{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry
;First quarter
| Quarter=1
*MIA [[Olindo Mare]] 28 yard FG
| Time=7:22
*MIA [[Leslie Shepherd]] 42 yard pass from Fiedler (Mare kick)
| Team=MIA
*MIA Smith 68 yard rush (Mare kick)
| DrivePlays=14
;Second quarter
| DriveLength=63
*MIA Mare 42 yard FG
| DriveTime=7:38
*NYJ [[Wayne Chrebet]] 10 yard pass from Testaverde ([[John Hall (placekicker)|John Hall]] kick)
| Type=FG
*MIA Mare 44 yard FG
| yards=28
;Third quarter
| Kicker=[[Olindo Mare]]
*MIA Smith 3 yard rush (Mare kick)
| Visitor=3
;Fourth quarter
| Home=0
*NYJ [[Laveranues Coles]] 30 yard pass from Testaverde (pass failed)
}}
*NYJ [[Jermaine Wiggins]] 1 yard pass from Testaverde (Hall kick)
{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry
*NYJ Hall 34 yard FG
| Quarter=1
*NYJ Chrebet 24 yard pass from Testaverde (Hall kick)
| Time=5:03
*MIA Shepherd 46 yard pass from Fiedler (Mare kick)
| Team=MIA
*NYJ [[Jumbo Elliott (American football)|Jumbo Elliott]] 3 yard pass from Testaverde (Hall kick)
| DrivePlays=2
;Overtime
| DriveLength=69
*NYJ Hall 40 yard FG
| DriveTime=0:51
|stats=
| Type=RecTD
;Top passers
| Receiver=[[Leslie Shepherd (American football)|Leslie Shepherd]]
*MIA – [[Jay Fiedler]] – 16/35, 250 YDS, 2 TD, 3 INT
| QB=[[Jay Fiedler]]
*NYJ – [[Vinny Testaverde]] – 36/59, 378 YDS, 5 TD, 3 INT
| yards=42
;Top rushers
| kickresult=good
*MIA – [[Lamar Smith (American football)|Lamar Smith]] – 23 CAR, 155 YDS, 2 TD
| Kicker=Mare
*NYJ – [[Curtis Martin]] – 14 CAR, 65 YDS
| Visitor=10
;Top receivers
| Home=0
*MIA – [[Oronde Gadsden]] – 7 REC, 119 YDS
}}
*NYJ – [[Richie Anderson]] – 12 REC, 109 YDS
{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry
| Quarter=1
| Time=3:09
| Team=MIA
| DrivePlays=1
| DriveLength=68
| DriveTime=0:13
| Type=RushTD
| Runner=[[Lamar Smith (American football)|Lamar Smith]]
| yards=68
| kickresult=good
| Kicker=Mare
| Visitor=17
| Home=0
}}
{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry
| Quarter=2
| Time=12:57
| Team=MIA
| DrivePlays=5
| DriveLength=17
| DriveTime=1:57
| Type=FG
| yards=42
| Kicker=Mare
| Visitor=20
| Home=0
}}
{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry
| Quarter=2
| Time=0:53
| Team=NYJ
| DrivePlays=5
| DriveLength=53
| DriveTime=0:51
| Type=RecTD
| Receiver=[[Wayne Chrebet]]
| QB=[[Vinny Testaverde]]
| yards=10
| kickresult=good
| Kicker=[[John Hall (placekicker)|John Hall]]
| Visitor=20
| Home=7
}}
{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry
| Quarter=2
| Time=0:02
| Team=MIA
| DrivePlays=5
| DriveLength=34
| DriveTime=0:51
| Type=FG
| yards=44
| Kicker=Mare
| Visitor=23
| Home=7
}}
{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry
| Quarter=3
| Time=0:12
| Team=MIA
| DrivePlays=5
| DriveLength=35
| DriveTime=3:04
| Type=RushTD
| Runner=Smith
| yards=3
| kickresult=good
| Kicker=Mare
| Visitor=30
| Home=7
}}
{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry
| Quarter=4
| Time=13:49
| Team=NYJ
| DrivePlays=4
| DriveLength=75
| DriveTime=1:23
| Type=RecTD
| Receiver=[[Laveranues Coles]]
| QB=Testaverde
| yards=30
| 2pt type=pass
| 2pt result=failed
| Visitor=30
| Home=13
}}
{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry
| Quarter=4
| Time=9:51
| Team=NYJ
| DrivePlays=7
| DriveLength=63
| DriveTime=2:11
| Type=RecTD
| Receiver=[[Jermaine Wiggins]]
| QB=Testaverde
| yards=1
| kickresult=good
| Kicker=Hall
| Visitor=30
| Home=20
}}
{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry
| Quarter=4
| Time=5:43
| Team=NYJ
| DrivePlays=10
| DriveLength=64
| DriveTime=1:52
| Type=FG
| yards=34
| Kicker=Hall
| Visitor=30
| Home=23
}}
{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry
| Quarter=4
| Time=3:55
| Team=NYJ
| DrivePlays=3
| DriveLength=39
| DriveTime=0:33
| Type=RecTD
| Receiver=Chrebet
| QB=Testaverde
| yards=24
| kickresult=good
| Kicker=Hall
| Visitor=30
| Home=30
}}
{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry
| Quarter=4
| Time=3:33
| Team=MIA
| DrivePlays=1
| DriveLength=46
| DriveTime=0:22
| Type=RecTD
| Receiver=Shepherd
| QB=Fiedler
| yards=46
| kickresult=good
| Kicker=Mare
| Visitor=37
| Home=30
}}
{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry
| Quarter=4
| Time=0:42
| Team=NYJ
| DrivePlays=9
| DriveLength=57
| DriveTime=2:51
| Type=RecTD
| Receiver=[[Jumbo Elliott (American football)|Jumbo Elliott]]
| QB=Testaverde
| yards=3
| kickresult=good
| Kicker=Hall
| Visitor=37
| Home=37
}}
{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry
| Quarter=OT
| Time=8:13
| Team=NYJ
| DrivePlays=7
| DriveLength=43
| DriveTime=2:53
| Type=FG
| yards=40
| Kicker=Hall
| Visitor=37
| Home=40
}}
{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEnd
|Visitor=37
|Home=40
}}
}}


==Final statistics==
==Aftermath==
===For the Jets===
===Statistical comparison===
{|class="wikitable"
Despite winning the game in dramatic fashion, New York would finish the season 9-7 and miss the playoffs.
!
!Miami Dolphins
!New York Jets
|-
|First downs||20||31
|-
|Third down efficiency||5/17||4/16
|-
|Fourth down efficiency||0/0||1/2
|-
|Total yards||433||455
|-
|Passing yards||235||376
|-
|Passing – completions/attempts||16/35||36/59
|-
|Rushing yards||198||79
|-
|Rushing attempts||38||22
|-
|Yards per rush||5.2||3.6
|-
|Penalties–yards||13–95||3–30
|-
|Sacks against–yards||2–15||1–2
|-
|Fumbles–lost||0–0||1–1
|-
|Interceptions thrown||3||3
|-
|Time of possession||36:11||30:36
|}


===For the Dolphins===
===Individual stats===
{{col-float|width=48%}}
Even though they lost, Miami would have the last laugh, making the playoffs with an 11-5 record and beating the Indianapolis Colts 23-17 in overtime in the wild card round but they were shut out the following week against Oakland in the divisional round, 27-0.
{|class="wikitable"
|-
! colspan="5" style="{{NFLPrimaryColor|Miami Dolphins|year=2000}}; {{NFLSecondaryColor|Miami Dolphins|year=2000}};" | Dolphins Passing
|-
!Player
!C/ATT<sup>*</sup>
!Yds
!TD
!INT
|-
| [[Jay Fiedler]] || 16/35 || 250 || 2 || 3
|-
! colspan="5" style="{{NFLPrimaryColor|Miami Dolphins|year=2000}}; {{NFLSecondaryColor|Miami Dolphins|year=2000}};" | Dolphins Rushing
|-
!Player
!Car<sup>a</sup>
!Yds
!TD
!LG<sup>b</sup>
|-
| [[Lamar Smith (American football)|Lamar Smith]] || 23 || 155 || 2 || 68
|-
| Jay Fiedler || 4 || 24 || 0 || 15
|-
| [[Rob Konrad]] || 5 || 11 || 0 || 3
|-
| [[J. J. Johnson (American football)|J. J. Johnson]] || 2 || 6 || 0 || 3
|-
| [[Thurman Thomas]] || 4 || 2 || 0 || 4
|-
! colspan="5" style="{{NFLPrimaryColor|Miami Dolphins|year=2000}}; {{NFLSecondaryColor|Miami Dolphins|year=2000}};" | Dolphins Receiving
|-
!Player
!Rec<sup>c</sup>
!Yds
!TD
!LG<sup>b</sup>
|-
| [[Oronde Gadsden]] || 7 || 119 || 0 || 29
|-
| [[Leslie Shepherd (American football)|Leslie Shepherd]] || 3 || 94 || 2 || 46
|-
| [[Hunter Goodwin]] || 2 || 13 || 0 || 8
|-
| Lamar Smith || 2 || 9 || 0 || 12
|-
| Thurman Thomas || 1 || 8 || 0 || 8
|-
| Rob Konrad || 1 || 7 || 0 || 7
|}
{{col-float-break|width=48%}}
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! colspan="5" style="{{NFLPrimaryColor|New York Jets|year=2000}}; {{NFLSecondaryColor|New York Jets|year=2000}};" | Jets Passing
|-
!
!C/ATT<sup>*</sup>
!Yds
!TD
!INT
|-
| [[Vinny Testaverde]] || 36/59 || 378 || 5 || 3
|-
! colspan="5" style="{{NFLPrimaryColor|New York Jets|year=2000}}; {{NFLSecondaryColor|New York Jets|year=2000}};" | Jets Rushing
|-
!Player
!Car<sup>a</sup>
!Yds
!TD
!LG<sup>b</sup>
|-
| [[Curtis Martin]] || 14 || 65 || 0 || 34
|-
| Vinny Testaverde || 1 || 7 || 0 || 7
|-
| [[Dwight Stone (American football)|Dwight Stone]] || 1 || 4 || 0 || 4
|-
| [[Richie Anderson (American football)|Richie Anderson]] || 6 || 3 || 0 || 4
|-
! colspan="5" style="{{NFLPrimaryColor|New York Jets|year=2000}}; {{NFLSecondaryColor|New York Jets|year=2000}};" | Jets Receiving
|-
!Player
!Rec<sup>c</sup>
!Yds
!TD
!LG<sup>b</sup>
|-
| Richie Anderson || 12 || 109 || 0 || 19
|-
| Curtis Martin || 8 || 72 || 0 || 15
|-
| [[Wayne Chrebet]] || 6 || 104 || 2 || 28
|-
| [[Laveranues Coles]] || 4 || 55 || 1 || 30
|-
| [[Dedric Ward]] || 3 || 40 || 0 || 27
|-
| [[Jumbo Elliott (American football)|Jumbo Elliott]] || 1 || 3 || 1 || 3
|-
| [[Jermaine Wiggins]] || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1
|-
| [[Jerald Sowell]] || 1 || -6 || 0 || -6
|}
{{col-float-end}}
<small><sup>*</sup>Completions/Attempts</small>
<small><sup>a</sup>Carries</small>
<small><sup>b</sup>Longest play</small>
<small><sup>c</sup>Receptions</small>


== Officials ==
== Officials ==
Line 117: Line 494:
*'''Side Judge:''' Bill Spyksma (#12)
*'''Side Judge:''' Bill Spyksma (#12)
*'''Back Judge:''' Ron Spitler (#119)
*'''Back Judge:''' Ron Spitler (#119)

==Aftermath==
Despite the Jets winning the game, they would finish the season with a 9-7 record 3rd in the AFC East. The Dolphins however would win the AFC East with an 11-5 record but forcing them to enter the playoffs as a wild card team as they couldn't catch the two teams with the best record in the AFC, the 12-4 Oakland Raiders and the team with the best record in football that year, the 13-3 Tennessee Titans. The Dolphins won their first playoff game 23-17 in the Wild Card round but lost it next week against Oakland 27-0 in the divisional round.


==See also==
==See also==
Line 123: Line 503:


==References==
==References==
{{reflist|30em}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
Line 141: Line 521:
[[Category:2000 in sports in New Jersey]]
[[Category:2000 in sports in New Jersey]]
[[Category:Sports competitions in East Rutherford, New Jersey]]
[[Category:Sports competitions in East Rutherford, New Jersey]]
[[Category:American football incidents]]
[[Category:Nicknamed sporting events]]
[[Category:Nicknamed sporting events]]

Latest revision as of 19:08, 12 October 2024

Not to be confused with the like-nicknamed 2005 Washington Redskins–Dallas Cowboys game.
For the similarly-nicknamed "Monday Night Comeback", see 2006 Chicago Bears–Arizona Cardinals game.
The Monday Night Miracle
DateOctober 23, 2000
StadiumGiants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
FavoriteJets by 3[1]
RefereeWalt Coleman
TV in the United States
NetworkABC
AnnouncersAl Michaels, Dan Fouts, and Dennis Miller

The Monday Night Miracle was an NFL Monday night game between the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins played at Giants Stadium on October 23, 2000.[2] The Jets scored 30 points in the fourth quarter, twice tying the score, and sending the game into overtime, where they defeated the Dolphins, 40–37.

Background

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Like their 1994 showdown at Giants Stadium which was made famous by Dan Marino's "fake spike", this game was for first place in the AFC East as the Jets were 4-1 and the Dolphins were 5-0. But unlike the 1994 game which featured the Jets failing to hold a double-digit (18) lead in the second half, it was the Dolphins who failed to hold the lead.

The game is notable for having the second largest fourth-quarter comeback in NFL history and the largest comeback in Jets history. It was also voted the greatest game televised on ABC's Monday Night Football,[3] along with being #5 on NFL Top Ten's Top Ten Comebacks.[4]

At the end of the third quarter with the score 30–7 in Miami's favor, Jets broadcaster Howard David announced, "And with a whole quarter to go, this game is over."

Jets comeback

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The Jets proceeded to stage a furious rally in the fourth quarter, scoring 23 unanswered points to tie the game at 30. They scored three touchdowns and a field goal, but a two-point conversion attempt to Curtis Martin was stopped. On the Dolphins' first play from scrimmage after the game was tied, they took the lead on a long touchdown pass by Jay Fiedler to Leslie Shepherd. However, the Jets still managed to drive downfield and tie the game. One of the key plays was a 4th down catch at the Dolphins 2-yard line by Richie Anderson as he caught the ball despite a head-on hit by Zach Thomas and Dolphins defensive back Jerry Wilson. Improbably, the tying touchdown was caught by offensive tackle John "Jumbo" Elliott, playing as a tackle-eligible.[5] After Elliott caught the touchdown pass, Dennis Miller remarked how opposing defenses, "couldn't keep him down forever." In the overtime Fiedler was intercepted by Marcus Coleman but Coleman was hit by Thurman Thomas and fumbled the ball back to the Dolphins. Several plays later, Coleman intercepted Fiedler again and this time held on. An eventual Vinny Testaverde pass to Wayne Chrebet put the Jets in field goal range, and a pass that was nearly intercepted by Jerry Wilson hit the ground first, nullifying the turnover. Jets kicker John Hall then won the game with a field goal with 8:13 remaining in the extra session.[5]

Actor Arnold Schwarzenegger, while visiting the ABC broadcast booth to promote his upcoming film The 6th Day, said after halftime,

Wayne Chrebet is going to pull it off. I think as usual the Jets are going to come from behind, you will see... I think the Dolphins have to be terminated.

The Monday night game for the Jets was in between Games 2 and 3 of the All New York (Yankees vs. Mets) 2000 World Series. The series overshadowed the game. In fact, the crowd broke out into "Let's Go Yankees" chants countered by "Let's Go Mets" chants during the third quarter.

Starting lineups

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Hall of Fame‡

Miami Position New York Jets
Offense
Leslie Shepherd WR Dedric Ward
Richmond Webb LT Jason Fabini
John Bock LG Kerry Jenkins
Tim Ruddy C Kevin Mawae‡
Kevin Donnalley RG Randy Thomas
Todd Wade RT Ryan Young
Hunter Goodwin TE Fred Baxter
Oronde Gadsden WR Wayne Chrebet
Jay Fiedler QB Vinny Testaverde
Rob Konrad FB WR Laveranues Coles
Lamar Smith RB Curtis Martin‡
Defense
Kenny Mixon LE DE Rick Lyle
Tim Bowens LT DT Jason Ferguson
Jermaine Haley RT DE Shane Burton
Jason Taylor‡ RE LB Mo Lewis
Zach Thomas‡ MLB LB Bryan Cox
Jerry Wilson WLB LB Marvin Jones
Robert Jones SLB LB James Farrior
Patrick Surtain LCB CB Aaron Glenn
Sam Madison RCB CB Marcus Coleman
Brock Marion FS Kevin Williams
Brian Walker SS Victor Green

Game summary

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2000 Week 8: Miami Dolphins at New York Jets
Quarter 1 2 34OTTotal
Dolphins 17 6 77037
Jets 0 7 030340

at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

Scoring summary
Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score
Plays Yards TOP MIA NYJ
1 7:22 14 63 7:38 MIA 28-yard field goal by Olindo Mare 3 0
1 5:03 2 69 0:51 MIA Leslie Shepherd 42-yard touchdown reception from Jay Fiedler, Mare kick good 10 0
1 3:09 1 68 0:13 MIA Lamar Smith 68-yard touchdown run, Mare kick good 17 0
2 12:57 5 17 1:57 MIA 42-yard field goal by Mare 20 0
2 0:53 5 53 0:51 NYJ Wayne Chrebet 10-yard touchdown reception from Vinny Testaverde, John Hall kick good 20 7
2 0:02 5 34 0:51 MIA 44-yard field goal by Mare 23 7
3 0:12 5 35 3:04 MIA Smith 3-yard touchdown run, Mare kick good 30 7
4 13:49 4 75 1:23 NYJ Laveranues Coles 30-yard touchdown reception from Testaverde, 2-point pass failed 30 13
4 9:51 7 63 2:11 NYJ Jermaine Wiggins 1-yard touchdown reception from Testaverde, Hall kick good 30 20
4 5:43 10 64 1:52 NYJ 34-yard field goal by Hall 30 23
4 3:55 3 39 0:33 NYJ Chrebet 24-yard touchdown reception from Testaverde, Hall kick good 30 30
4 3:33 1 46 0:22 MIA Shepherd 46-yard touchdown reception from Fiedler, Mare kick good 37 30
4 0:42 9 57 2:51 NYJ Jumbo Elliott 3-yard touchdown reception from Testaverde, Hall kick good 37 37
OT 8:13 7 43 2:53 NYJ 40-yard field goal by Hall 37 40
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 37 40

Final statistics

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Statistical comparison

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Miami Dolphins New York Jets
First downs 20 31
Third down efficiency 5/17 4/16
Fourth down efficiency 0/0 1/2
Total yards 433 455
Passing yards 235 376
Passing – completions/attempts 16/35 36/59
Rushing yards 198 79
Rushing attempts 38 22
Yards per rush 5.2 3.6
Penalties–yards 13–95 3–30
Sacks against–yards 2–15 1–2
Fumbles–lost 0–0 1–1
Interceptions thrown 3 3
Time of possession 36:11 30:36

Individual stats

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Dolphins Passing
Player C/ATT* Yds TD INT
Jay Fiedler 16/35 250 2 3
Dolphins Rushing
Player Cara Yds TD LGb
Lamar Smith 23 155 2 68
Jay Fiedler 4 24 0 15
Rob Konrad 5 11 0 3
J. J. Johnson 2 6 0 3
Thurman Thomas 4 2 0 4
Dolphins Receiving
Player Recc Yds TD LGb
Oronde Gadsden 7 119 0 29
Leslie Shepherd 3 94 2 46
Hunter Goodwin 2 13 0 8
Lamar Smith 2 9 0 12
Thurman Thomas 1 8 0 8
Rob Konrad 1 7 0 7
Jets Passing
C/ATT* Yds TD INT
Vinny Testaverde 36/59 378 5 3
Jets Rushing
Player Cara Yds TD LGb
Curtis Martin 14 65 0 34
Vinny Testaverde 1 7 0 7
Dwight Stone 1 4 0 4
Richie Anderson 6 3 0 4
Jets Receiving
Player Recc Yds TD LGb
Richie Anderson 12 109 0 19
Curtis Martin 8 72 0 15
Wayne Chrebet 6 104 2 28
Laveranues Coles 4 55 1 30
Dedric Ward 3 40 0 27
Jumbo Elliott 1 3 1 3
Jermaine Wiggins 1 1 1 1
Jerald Sowell 1 -6 0 -6

*Completions/Attempts aCarries bLongest play cReceptions

Officials

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  • Referee: Walt Coleman (#65)
  • Umpire: Undrey Wash (#96)
  • Head Linesman: John Schleyer (#21)
  • Line Judge: Dave Anderson (#81)
  • Field Judge: Scott Steenson (#88)
  • Side Judge: Bill Spyksma (#12)
  • Back Judge: Ron Spitler (#119)

Aftermath

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Despite the Jets winning the game, they would finish the season with a 9-7 record 3rd in the AFC East. The Dolphins however would win the AFC East with an 11-5 record but forcing them to enter the playoffs as a wild card team as they couldn't catch the two teams with the best record in the AFC, the 12-4 Oakland Raiders and the team with the best record in football that year, the 13-3 Tennessee Titans. The Dolphins won their first playoff game 23-17 in the Wild Card round but lost it next week against Oakland 27-0 in the divisional round.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Miami Dolphins at New York Jets - October 23rd, 2000". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
  2. ^ October 23, 2000 Miami Dolphins at New York Jets Boxscore from Pro Football Reference
  3. ^ Diegnan, Mike (December 4, 2002). "MNF's Greatest Games: Miami-New York Jets 2000". ABC Sports Online. Archived from the original on February 16, 2003. Retrieved February 19, 2008.
  4. ^ "Top 10 greatest comebacks in NFL history". National Football League. January 7, 2009. Retrieved January 3, 2013.
  5. ^ a b Battista, Judy (October 24, 2000). "The Jets Are the Last Team Standing". The New York Times. Retrieved December 8, 2009.
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