Martin, Coles Spark Comeback

It’s simple: The New York Jets have the Miami Dolphins’ number.

Whether that number is 30-7, as it was a year ago, or 17-0, as it was Sunday, the Jets seem to know they are going to beat the Dolphins.

New York trailed by 17 points at halftime, but rallied for a 21-17 victory, its seventh straight over its archrival.

Last year, the Jets stormed back from a 30-7 deficit in the fourth quarter to win, 40-37, in overtime on a Monday night, a game dubbed the Miracle at the Meadowlands.

In this mini-miracle, Laveranues Coles caught two touchdown passes--including the eventual game-winner early in the fourth quarter--from Vinny Testaverde and Curtis Martin rushed for 120 yards, moving him into 18th place on the NFL’s career rushing list with 8,270 yards in his seven seasons.

“I can’t say enough about this bunch of guys who don’t quit, who have a lot of heart and who fight,” Testaverde said. The maligned Jet defense had to rise up in the final moments with interceptions by Marvin Jones and Victor Green.

Jay Fiedler brought the Dolphins (3-2) to the New York six on a 26-yard scramble late in the game. But his ill-advised throw into double coverage in the end zone was tipped by Damien Robinson and Marcus Coleman and picked off by Jones.

After Miami forced a punt, Fiedler tried a long pass that Green leaped to pick off, ending the Dolphins’ hopes for a comeback of their own.

It was a stark turnaround in the second half, something the Jets (3-2) always seem to manage against the Dolphins.

Miami was efficient in the first half, holding the ball for 22:01 and outgaining New York, 250-27. Had Lamar Smith not fumbled at the Jet one on the opening 60-yard drive, the Dolphins would have had a bigger lead.

In their other first-half possessions, the Dolphins scored on Smith’s 14-yard screen-pass reception, Travis Minor’s 29-yard run and Olindo Mare’s 26-yard field goal as the half expired.

The Jets awoke in the third quarter, sparked by Martin. His 25-yard run helped set up Coles’ 22-yard touchdown reception, then Martin scored on a 27-yard run to make it 17-14.

“You could feel the whole team coming together, like a force,” Martin said. “Once we get that force going, we know we can come back on anybody.”