PRO FOOTBALL ’95 : Dolphins Make Statement With 52-14 Victory

Four turnovers couldn’t stop the Miami Dolphins. The New York Jets couldn’t stop Miami, either.

The Dolphins opened the season looking like the Super Bowl contenders they’re supposed to be, overcoming early mistakes Sunday to defeat the Jets, 52-14, at Joe Robbie Stadium.

Dan Marino threw for three touchdowns and Troy Vincent scored on a 69-yard interception return for Miami, the preseason favorite to win the AFC.

Miami was good enough to win easily despite two fumbles and two interceptions, all in the first half. Turnovers led to both New York scores, one on Matt Brock’s three-yard fumble return.

The Dolphins’ point total was their largest since a 55-14 victory over St. Louis in 1977. The margin of victory was their largest since a 42-0 victory over Kansas City during the 1987 NFL strike.

The Jets, with 22 new players on their roster under first-year Coach Rich Kotite, suffered their worst defeat since a 45-3 loss to Miami in 1986. The last time they gave up so many points was in a 52-21 loss to Cincinnati in 1986.

Miami’s defense forced six turnovers and allowed only one scoring drive, which covered only 31 yards following a Marino interception.

Marino, who completed 16 of 26 passes for 250 yards in three quarters of play, completed two touchdown passes of four and 50 yards to Irving Fryar and a one-yarder to Keith Byars. Marino needs 11 more touchdown passes to tie Fran Tarkenton’s NFL career record of 342.

Miami running back Bernie Parmalee lost two fumbles but compensated by scoring on runs of 24 and four yards.

Vincent also made amends for an error. He was beaten when Boomer Esiason passed to Charles Wilson on third down for a six-yard score to tie the game, 14-14. But Vincent bounced back with two interceptions in Miami’s 21-point third quarter.

The second interception came when Esiason overthrew Wayne Chrebet and Vincent returned it for a touchdown to give Miami a 35-14 lead.

Esiason completed 19 of 35 passes for 173 yards with three interceptions.