DOLPHINS END SEASON ON HIGH NOTE WITH 19-17 WIN

The Dolphins 2011 season came to end on Sunday and so did the career of Dolphins great Jason Taylor. Both Taylor and the Dolphins ended the day on a high note with a 19-17 win over the division rival New York Jets.

The season did not go the way the Dolphins had hoped for with a 6-10 record, but after starting the season off 0-7, to finish it 6-3 was a little something to be proud of and to build on entering the offseason. The Dolphins will begin tomorrow searching for the next head coach and will start off by interviewing interim head coach Todd Bowles for the job.

The Jets needed to win this game and have help to make the playoffs, but the Dolphins made sure they couldn't accomplish the most important part of the Jets playoff scenario. With stars Reggie Bush and Jake Long missing from the offense, the Dolphins had trouble moving the ball the majority of the game, but did put together an impressive 21 play, 94 yard drive in the 4th quarter that ended with a one yard pass from Matt Moore to Charles Clay that gave the Dolphins a late lead and helped clinch the victory.

On defense, one of the biggest stories of the game was that defensive end Randy Starks picked off Mark Sanchez twice in the game and Marvin Mitchell had an interception late in the 4th quarter as the Jets were in the red zone looking to take the lead. 

Kicker Dan Carpenter connected on four field goals, including a 58 yarder as time expired in the first half. The kick probably could have been made from 68 yards or further. Pro Bowl wide receiver Brandon Marshall had five receptions for 50 yards and finished the season with an impressive 81 receptions, 1,214 yards and 6 touchdowns.

The Dolphins will pick #9 in April's NFL Draft after winning today. With the win the Dolphins moved down one spot in the order with the Carolina Panthers jumping ahead of them. The Dolphins season might be over, but a very important offseason has just begun for the team that will start with picking the next head coach.

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