By Darin Hayes On October 23, 2000, the NFL delivered one of its most legendary moments: the “Monday Night Miracle.” This Week 8 AFC East showdown at Giants Stadium pitted the 5-1 New York Jets against the 5-1 Miami Dolphins. By the late third quarter, the game looked all but decided. After a Lamar Smith touchdown run, the Dolphins held a seemingly insurmountable 30-7 lead.
Chrbet Scores MNF Miracle 2000 24 Oct 2000, Tue Hartford Courant (Hartford, Connecticut) Newspapers.com
Jets broadcaster Howard David declared, “With a whole quarter to go, this game is over.” Many of the 78,389 fans agreed, beginning their exit into the late New Jersey night.
The Fourth Quarter Rally
What followed was the second-largest fourth-quarter comeback in NFL history, as the Jets, led by quarterback Vinny Testaverde, scored 30 points in the final frame. The rally began quickly:
- 13:49: Testaverde hit rookie Laveranues Coles for a 30-yard touchdown.
- 9:51: A 1-yard TD pass to tight end Jermaine Wiggins narrowed the deficit to 30-20.
- 5:43: A John Hall field goal cut the lead further to 30-23.
- 3:55: Testaverde connected with Wayne Chrebet on a 24-yard score, tying the game at 30.
The Dolphins briefly regained the lead at 37-30 just 22 seconds later on a 46-yard Jay Fiedler touchdown pass. However, the Jets drove back down the field. With 42 seconds left, Testaverde delivered the improbable tying score: a 3-yard touchdown pass to a bobbling, eligible tackle, Jumbo Elliott, sending the game to overtime.
In the extra period, defensive back Marcus Coleman secured his third interception of the night, setting up the Jets at the Miami 40-yard line. Kicker John Hall delivered the 40-yard field goal, completing the 40-37 victory in what remains the largest comeback in Jets franchise history. Testaverde finished with 378 passing yards and five touchdowns, securing a win that is still considered one of the greatest Monday Night Football games ever played.
[…] The Monday Night Miracle: The Jets’ Unbelievable 23-Point Comeback […]