12/02 — Then the middle of the line opens up for an Eric Barton blitz. John Beck unloads quickly for the incompletion and Brandon Fields puts a beautiful spiral into the South Florida sky. Unfortunately for Dolfans, it bounces once on the South Florida grass of Dolphin Stadium and into the end zone for a touchback.

The touch Clemens displayed in the opening drive has disappeared, in part because Brad Smith continues to struggle at WR. On third down, K.C., protected well, throws an intermediate pass for Smith on the in-cut. But the former Missouri QB can't handle it when he jumps for the ball and is hit by S Cameron Worrell. The tip-drill ball hops into the hands of retreating LB Joey Porter, who quickly reverses field for a 5-yard return to the Jets 33 before being tackled by Smith.

Jason Taylor has the wind knocked out of him on the return. He's on the sideline but the pressbox announcement is that his return is probable. Not surprising at all.

At least the Jets run defense is up for the task so far, holding Jesse Chatman to 7 yards on three carries. On comes Feely for another long, solid FG, this one from 44 yards.

Jets 7, Dolphins 6

Taylor is back on the Dolphins' D-line, but he doesn't help as Kellen Clemens strikes for his second huge pass play off of play action, a 51-yard completion to Justin McCareins, who gets past CB Will Allen, is interefered with by Allen (not called) but still comes up with the ball and does a somersault from the contact at the end of the play.

It's Clemens third 50-yard completion this season, after a 50-yarder to Jerrico Cotchery in Game 2 at Baltimore and the 57-yard fleaflicker to Laveranues Colts on the second play of the Pittsburgh game.

Unfortunately for J-E-T-S, Jets-Jets-Jets fans, three plays gain 6 yards, so Mike Nugent comes on for a 29-yard field goal to restore the visitors' four-point lead.

Jets 10, Dolphins 6

Worrell, who made the PD on Smith that led to Porter's INT, leaves the field after a knee injury on one of those three plays. His return is questionable.

John Beck, Miami's rookie QB, hasn't thrown an interception in 50 pro pass attempts. That includes the INT that David Barrett drops when fellow rookie Ted Ginn Jr. makes an in-cut and Beck throws out. The ball is low but hits Barrett in the hands, and the veteran corner slaps the Dolphin Stadium turf in controlled frustration.

Beck atones with a 22-yard catch-and-run to yet another 'Fins rookie, little-used Lorenzo Booker, to midfield.

But soon comes more good furtune for the Jets. Out of the nickel front, David Bowens stunts free into Beck's field of view. Beck still throws, Bowens bats the ball into the end zone and CB Darrelle Revis picks it off.

Almost immediately comes bad fortune for the Jets. Will Allen sacks Clemens from the blind side, the ball pops in the air, and CB Michael Lehan snags it from the air and takes it unmolested 43 yards for the go-ahead TD.

Dolphins 13, Jets 10

But the 'Fins have lost their composure during this exchange. Channing Crowder is flagged for unnecessary roughness after Lehan's return TD. Then after the extra point, T Vernon Carey is mouthing off and referee Mike Carey throws another flag for unsportsmanlike conduct. The twin deadball fouls set up Feely for the kickoff at his 7½-yard line. But Feely knuckles a ball to a dead spot on the field, forcing David Bowens to pick it up for a short return to the Jets 44.

This is a crucial juncture for the Jets if they don't want the embarrassment of losing to the winless 'Fins, and the Green & White — which, we'll remind again, are channeling the Titans in wearing their blue & gold uniforms today — have a forceful answer to retake the lead.

Leon Washington makes two back-to-back big gainers, a 17-yard reception after he goes in motion and is left initially uncovered over the short middle, then a 7-yard run to the Miami 19.

Then Clemens and Brad Smith execute the nifty TD play. Clemens fakes a handoff and under pressure hits Smith, who pulls away for the last 15 yards to the pylon, which he kicks as he crosses the goal line. Touchdown with 2½ minutes left in the half.

Jets 17, Dolphins 13

The hosts come back with a drive that continues through the two-minute warning as Beck hits five different receivers in getting the 'Fins to the Jets 29. It seems that Dewayne Robertson makes a third-down stop when he storms past C Samson Satele and hits Jesse Chatman in the backfield, but Chatman staggers forward for a yard and the first down.

Then comes the Jets' next takeaway. Beck drops back and is looking for Ted Ginn near the goal line. But in a play that is reminiscent of Kerry Rhodes' first-quarter interception of Tony Romo at Dallas, Rhodes ranges over to snag Beck's throw into double coverage and returns it to the Jets 43 with 1:11 left in the half.

Now it's the Jets with the promising two-minute drive. They get to the Dolphins 22 before the drive stalls, so Nugent comes in for the 40-yarder that he nails smartly with 10 seconds left to open their lead back to seven at ...

Jets 20, Dolphins 13

... which they take to the locker room after Nugent's squib kickoff and a Beck kneeldown.