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September 23, 2002
MIAMI -- Now that the Jets jinx has been vanquished, the Dolphins can focus on a different streak: three consecutive wins to open the season.
Ricky Williams ran for 151 yards and the Dolphins forced four turnovers Sunday to snap a streak of eight consecutive losses to the Jets, 30-3.
Two interceptions of Vinny Testaverde led to 10 first-half points, and the Dolphins hung on to a lead against New York for a change. Receiver Oronde Gadsden, who had been 0-8 versus the Jets, skipped off the field holding a sign that said, "What jinx? 1-0."
"It feels like a burden has been lifted," he said.
Williams sewed up the win with a 53-yard touchdown sprint, the longest gain in his four-year career, with 4:54 left.
"They had won eight straight against me," Miami linebacker Zach Thomas said. "But Ricky is 1-0 against them."
On a steamy 90-degree afternoon, the Dolphins extended their home winning streak in August and September to 17 games.
The Jets have been outscored the past two weeks 74-10.
"I don't think anybody's confidence is wavering," Testaverde said. "We're going to have to stick together, because everybody outside of the locker room is probably going to take shots at us and tell us how bad we are."
In the past two seasons New York overcame second-half deficits of 17 and 23 points to beat Miami, but there was no comeback this time after the Jets trailed 13-3 at halftime.
Williams kept the clock running with 110 yards on the ground in the second half.
Jay Fiedler, who had thrown eight interceptions in his four previous games against New York, went 16-for-30 for 185 yards and a score.
Miami rookie tight end Randy McMichael made two big catches: a 10-yarder for the only touchdown of the first half, and a 13-yarder that included a broken tackle attempt by former Buc Donnie Abraham to convert a late third down. That came one play before Williams' touchdown dash made it 23-3.
"To see a rookie rising up like that and making plays, that's exciting," coach Dave Wannstedt said.