MIAMI – There will be a strange aura surrounding today’s Jets-Dolphins game at Pro Player Stadium.
Since Bill Parcells returned to New York and restored some normalcy to the Jets in 1997, every Jets-Dolphins game has been played with distinct and serious consequences attached to it.
One or both of the rivals were vying either for first place in the AFC East or a wild-card playoff berth. There’s always been something tangible at stake.
Not today.
This matchup is the season finale for two teams that have no playoff berth in sight. After the game, each team will gather tomorrow for a final meeting with their head coach, they’ll clean out their locker, and go home for the offseason.
“It will be a little bit different for both teams,” Dolphins head coach Dave Wannstedt said. “I’m sure Herm [Edwards] is as disappointed as we are, but it’s tough. Last year, nine wins won our division. If we can win this game and get 10 . . . who would have ever dreamt that?”
The 9-6 Dolphins enter this game eliminated from playoff contention because a 6-5 conference record sabotaged their wild-card tie-breaker status with the Broncos.
It’s the second consecutive season the Dolphins have missed the postseason and, despite leading the team to 40 wins in four seasons, Wannstedt’s job status is tenuous, at best.
The Jets are 6-9 and bitterly disappointed with their plight, which began with Chad Pennington breaking his left hand in preseason and ended with a string of annoying mediocrity with him behind center.
With no playoff carrot to dangle, Edwards’ message to his players this week was simple.
“I told the team that we’ve got to finish,” Edwards said. “This is the last mile. We started this thing out in July and it’s been a long year. We’re not where we want to be at this point, but we still have an opportunity to win a game.
“If you’re not going to the playoffs you try to win your last game,” Edwards went on. “It’s the last game you’ll play until July . . . and some guys may never play again. Your last is your last. That’s your performance. You’ve got to live with that the whole offseason.”
The Jets will suit up a number of players today who’ll be wearing their green-and-white uniform for the final time. One player, LB Mo Lewis, will play the final game of his productive 13-year career with the team.
Jets fans likely will be taking a long, last look at LB Marvin Jones, CB Aaron Beasley, WR Curtis Conway, SS Sam Garnes, DT Chester McGlockton, WR Kevin Swayne and possibly QB Vinny Testaverde.
Edwards was asked if he planned any lineup changes for the game to look at some young players.
Thinking about all of the buttons he tried to push during the team’s dismal start, Edwards laughed at the question, saying, “We’ve looked at everybody we can possibly look at . . . unless you [a reporter] want to play. The cupboard is bare. All the guys activated have been given opportunities to play. There’s nothing else we can do at this point.”
To their credit, the Jets have managed to play hard without any signs of quitting.
“Players know at this point where they’re at in their mind; it’s the last game of the year,” Edwards said. “You want to win and you want to play good, period, whether you’re coming back next year or not coming back or whether you’re going to retire. It’s always, ‘What did I do my last game?’
“This will be a game both teams know exactly where they’re headed. We’re headed home after this game.”
WHY THE JETS WILL WIN
They Jets managed to play hard – albeit not always well – even after playoff hope was gone. The Dolphins spent this week digesting their elimination from the postseason. Look for Curtis Martin to run well and for the Jets’ defense to slow Ricky Williams. Look, too, for Chad Pennington to rebound with a better performance than last week.
PREDICTION
Jets 23, Dolphins 20