Jets Make Marino, Dolphins Pay, 38-31

Two passes by Dan Marino and two by Ray Lucas beat the Miami Dolphins.

Marino threw a pair of costly interceptions, Lucas threw two fourth-quarter touchdown bombs and the New York Jets defeated Miami for the second time in 15 days Monday night, 38-31.

“It makes a big difference when you’re playing a team you know you can beat, and they’re still wondering if they can beat you,” New York center Kevin Mawae said.

The Jets (7-8), playing only for pride, came from behind twice in the second half. Lucas’ 50-yard scoring pass to Wayne Chrebet put New York ahead, 31-28, with 10:41 left, and his next pass less than two minutes later went to Dedric Ward for a 56-yard touchdown and a 38-28 lead.

The Dolphins (9-6), bidding for an AFC wild-card playoff berth, lost for the fifth time in seven games.

“If we can’t make it to the playoffs, we might as well have them join us,” Jet receiver Keyshawn Johnson said.

Miami now needs to cheer for the Jets next week. If New York beats Seattle or Oakland knocks off Kansas City on Sunday, the Dolphins make the playoffs whether they win or lose against Washington.

With Miami’s defeat, the Buffalo Bills clinched a playoff berth.

The game was hyped as perhaps the final performance in Miami by the 38-year-old Marino, who hasn’t said whether he wants to play next season. He showed flashes of the talent that has made him the most prolific passer in NFL history, but at times he looked ready for retirement.

Marino completed 29 of 52 attempts for 322 yards and three touchdowns, but his interceptions gave New York 14 points. Marcus Coleman scored on a 98-yard return, and linebacker Roman Phifer’s interception at the Miami 5 set up another touchdown.

“We just didn’t make enough plays and had too many mistakes to win,” Marino said. “I gave them some points.”

“He hurt us bad tonight, but we hurt them too,” Jets Coach Bill Parcells said. “It’s the best win of the year for us.”

Marino’s scoring passes covered one yard to Ed Perry, three yards to Stanley Pritchett and 32 yards on a flea-flicker to Tony Martin. But his arm seemed to tire, and in the fourth quarter he was just 6 of 19 for 79 yards.

Marino gave a wave leaving the field.

“My kids asked me to wave to them after the game,” he said.

As for his future, Marino said: “I’m not thinking about that much right now. I’ve got all I can do trying to win games. You never know what life brings.”

Lucas led the Jets to their fourth win in a row, completing 11 of 23 passes for 190 yards and three touchdowns. The scoring throws in the fourth quarter were the longest of his three-year career.

“They’ve got good players, very good players,” a grim Miami Coach Jimmy Johnson said. “Everybody wants to think they’re a bad team because they lost one player (Vinny Testaverde) three months ago.”

J.J. Johnson’s one-yard touchdown dive early in the final period gave Miami a 28-24 lead. But on the next series, Lucas threw long to a wide-open Chrebet, who shook Patrick Surtain on third and five and put New York ahead to stay.