MIAMI — When the wildcat delivered a big play for the Miami Dolphins, coach Tony Sparano skipped along the sideline with glee, reached back and threw a roundhouse punch.
That was just in the first quarter. The knockout came much later, again with the wildcat.
Running back Ronnie Brown took the snap with 10 seconds left and scored on a 2-yard keeper for the fifth lead change of the fourth quarter, giving Miami a wild 31-27 victory over the New York Jets on Monday night.
Newcomer Braylon Edwards provided a big boost for the Jets, and two fake punts fooled the Dolphins. But Miami gained 110 yards with the wildcat, which was instrumental in three touchdown drives.
“Like anything else, if you execute, good things will happen,” Brown said.
Jets coach Rex Ryan was annoyed the wildcat kept working.
“I used to see all those gimmicks when I was coaching back in college,” Ryan said. “I’ve been a part of some bad performances before on defense, just not this bad.”
The Dolphins started from their own 30-yard line with 5:05 left, trailing 27-24, and mounted a 13-play drive for the winning score. The march included four wildcat plays for 25 yards, the last on third down at the 2.
“We were in the huddle and said, ‘We’ve got to score a touchdown. No settling for field goals,’ ” Brown said.
