MIAMI, FL — Kermit the Frog said it best; it ain’t easy being green.  Struggling on offense for the majority of the afternoon, the Jets and Mark Sanchez certainly didn’t ease their way to a victory over the AFC East rival Miami Dolphins, on Sunday, but they’ll take it.

Santonio Holmes, who anticipated a big day for the Jets receivers against a young Dolphins’ secondary earlier this week, had a 38-yard catch-and-run that set-up the win.

Nick Folk’s 33-yard attempt was — at first — blocked by Miami’s special teams unit, but it was ruled Dolphin’s first-year head coach Joe Philbin had called a timeout prior to the snap — a futile attempt to ice the kicker. Folk’s second attempt at the 33-yard field goal sealed the deal in overtime for the Jets, who won on the road at SunLife Stadium 23-20 — their first time visiting the Dolphins since they ended Gang Green’s playoff hopes in Week 17 with a 19-17 victory.

For the second week in a row, Sanchez (21-45, 306 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT) and the offense were inconsistent for major parts of this game. The offense lost out on two easy scores that could haven been easily converted. When it came time to deliver, however, they were able to make the most of their opportunities.

Mark Sanchez (left) found Santonio Holmes, who's play backed up his talk, early and often in the 23-20 OT victory. (JetsInsider.com Photo).

Trailing 17-13 with a little over five minutes to play in the game, Sanchez started off the final drive of regulation with an 18-yard strike to receiver Santonio Holmes (9 rec, 147 yards). After connecting with running back Bilal Powell and Holmes for two more plays of 10+ yards, a rarity in last week’s passing debacle, Sanchez found Jeremy Kerley with a seven-yard score to take the 20-17 lead with just over three minutes to play in regulation.

Dolphins’ rookie Ryan Tannehill (16-36, 196 yards, 1 INT) was able to drive his team down the field in that time — largely due to Darrelle Revis not returning to the field due to a knee injury — which set up Dan Carpenter’s 41-yard field goal to tie with 31 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. Kyle Wilson, Revis’ replacement in the game was called for a critical 19-yard 3rd&10 pass interference call.

In overtime Carpenter was not as fortunate.

Following a thwarted Jets drive to mid-field, the Dolphins marched their way to the Jets 30 yard line highlighted by a long 41-yard completion to Brian Hartline. Carpenter, who already had missed a 47-yarder to start the fourth quarter, pushed the game-winning 48-yarder left — putting the Jets offense in a great position to score from mid-field.

The Jets (2-1) will now play host to the San Francisco 49ers (2-1) not knowing the status of their best player, Revis. He left the game after his left knee buckled on a non-contact play in the third quarter and did not return. The disheartening news for Jets fans comes on the heels of Revis missing Week 2 with a concussion.

In his first game back following the concussion, Revis was effective — recording five tackles and recovering a fumble. The fumble recovery early in the third quarter came one defensive play after LaRon Landry’s 18-yard interception return for a touchdown that tied the game at 10 just 44 seconds into the second half.

The Dolphins were pinned at their own 6 early when Tannehill rolled out and threw toward Anthony Fasano along the sideline. Landry stepped in front of the intended receiver to make the interception and dashed to the end zone for a 10-all tie.

Tim Tebow, in his return to SunLife Stadium — the birthplace of Tebowmania, did quite have the type of game he’s had in previous trips to the stadium, but his contribution helped put some points on the board.

He took a short snap from punt formation on fourth-and-3 at the Jets 30 and ran 5 yards for a first down, jump-starting a 16-play drive that ended with a 3-pointer.

Tebow was the intended receiver on a third-down pass that fell incomplete — hitting him in the face, and he still has yet to throw a pass this season.
 
 
 

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