Post by Lithfan on Nov 7, 2015 7:37:48 GMT -5
November 7, 1993
A week earlier, the Miami Dolphins defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 30-10 to improve their record to 6-1. The win was historically significant because it was Don Shula’s 324th NFL victory as a head coach, tying him with George Halas for the All-Time record.
Shula’s first opportunity to break the record would come the following week when the Dolphins traveled to the Meadowlands to face the New York Jets. The Jets came in with a 3-4 record, but one of their wins came in week 2 at Miami, handing the Dolphins their only loss on the season to this point.
The Jets sent an early message to Shula and the Dolphins that they were determined to make Shula wait another week for #325. The Jets scored a TD on their opening possession, going 81 yards in 9 plays. The biggest play came off of a Boomer Esiason scramble for 17 yards -- a late hit tacked on another 15. Esiason hit Johnny Mitchell for 17 yards and an early 7-0 lead.
The Jets extended their lead when Marvin Washington hit Dolphin QB Scott Mitchell while throwing leading to an easy interception by Lonnie Young. The Jets converted the turnover into a Cary Blanchard FG and a 10-0 lead.
Mitchell, starting in place of Dan Marino who had torn his Achilles tendon earlier in the season, had been brilliant through 3 games. He had been named AFC Offensive Player of the Month in October after leading a comeback victory over Cleveland in the game when Marino got hurt and then piloting the offense to 71 points in wins over Indianapolis and Kansas City.
But it wasn’t to be for Mitchell again. Not against the Jets, not this week. He finished 23-44 for 297 yards, but most of that came after the Jets built a 20-3 3rd quarter lead. For his part, Esiason was much more efficient, hitting both Rob Moore and RB Johnny Johnson 7 times each. He was 23-32 for the afternoon for 256 yards and 3 TDs, 2 to Johnny Mitchell.
Esiason was quick to credit the rest of the offense for his strong game. “When you have the full complement of your skill players doing their jobs and your offensive line gives you time, all you have to do is be patient,” he said. “That leaves the routes over the middle and in the flat wide open.”
The Dolphins got their only TD of the day late in the 3rd quarter when Mitchell connected with Irving Fryar on a 65 yard TD to cut the Jets lead to 20-10. The Jets put the game away in the 4th quarter when Esiason hit on his 3rd TD pass of the day, hooking up with Chris Burkett for 12 yards and a score. Shula would have to wait another week as the Jets won 27-10.
“I hoped to pass it today and get it out of the way. The record that is important is the record of the football team...They beat us convincingly in two games this year and one last year,” said Shula after the game. “They did a great job against us...It was complete domination by the Jets. We didn’t get it done.”
They would get it done the following week as the Dolphins defeated the Eagles 19-14, giving Shula his record 325th win.
Source: The Gainesville Sun
A week earlier, the Miami Dolphins defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 30-10 to improve their record to 6-1. The win was historically significant because it was Don Shula’s 324th NFL victory as a head coach, tying him with George Halas for the All-Time record.
Shula’s first opportunity to break the record would come the following week when the Dolphins traveled to the Meadowlands to face the New York Jets. The Jets came in with a 3-4 record, but one of their wins came in week 2 at Miami, handing the Dolphins their only loss on the season to this point.
The Jets sent an early message to Shula and the Dolphins that they were determined to make Shula wait another week for #325. The Jets scored a TD on their opening possession, going 81 yards in 9 plays. The biggest play came off of a Boomer Esiason scramble for 17 yards -- a late hit tacked on another 15. Esiason hit Johnny Mitchell for 17 yards and an early 7-0 lead.
The Jets extended their lead when Marvin Washington hit Dolphin QB Scott Mitchell while throwing leading to an easy interception by Lonnie Young. The Jets converted the turnover into a Cary Blanchard FG and a 10-0 lead.
Mitchell, starting in place of Dan Marino who had torn his Achilles tendon earlier in the season, had been brilliant through 3 games. He had been named AFC Offensive Player of the Month in October after leading a comeback victory over Cleveland in the game when Marino got hurt and then piloting the offense to 71 points in wins over Indianapolis and Kansas City.
But it wasn’t to be for Mitchell again. Not against the Jets, not this week. He finished 23-44 for 297 yards, but most of that came after the Jets built a 20-3 3rd quarter lead. For his part, Esiason was much more efficient, hitting both Rob Moore and RB Johnny Johnson 7 times each. He was 23-32 for the afternoon for 256 yards and 3 TDs, 2 to Johnny Mitchell.
Esiason was quick to credit the rest of the offense for his strong game. “When you have the full complement of your skill players doing their jobs and your offensive line gives you time, all you have to do is be patient,” he said. “That leaves the routes over the middle and in the flat wide open.”
The Dolphins got their only TD of the day late in the 3rd quarter when Mitchell connected with Irving Fryar on a 65 yard TD to cut the Jets lead to 20-10. The Jets put the game away in the 4th quarter when Esiason hit on his 3rd TD pass of the day, hooking up with Chris Burkett for 12 yards and a score. Shula would have to wait another week as the Jets won 27-10.
“I hoped to pass it today and get it out of the way. The record that is important is the record of the football team...They beat us convincingly in two games this year and one last year,” said Shula after the game. “They did a great job against us...It was complete domination by the Jets. We didn’t get it done.”
They would get it done the following week as the Dolphins defeated the Eagles 19-14, giving Shula his record 325th win.
Source: The Gainesville Sun
