Dolphins special teams vs. Jets special teams

Who won: Dolphins

The impact: When is Mike Westhoff supposed to retire? This game might make the Jets special teams guru wish he had bounced into the sunset last spring. Darren Rizzi’s special teams recovered a surprise onside kick; Jimmy Wilson blocked a punt and Olivier Vernon recovered for a touchdown; and Vernon barged up the middle to block a field goal before halftime. Then, after the Jets got on the board, Marcus Thigpen refused to go down during a spinning, determined 57-yard kickoff return that set up a touchdown that brought on garbage time. Punter Brandon Fields had his usual excellent day in the Meadowlands.

Dolphins blitz vs. Jets blitz pickup/adjustments

Who won: Dolphins

The impact: When the Dolphins brought the house, the Jets’ house looked like it was a Fire Island house caught in a path of a bulldozer. The play before blocking the punt, safety Jimmy Wilson made like Larry Wilson and blasted Sanchez for an 8-yard sack loss. Cornerback Nolan Carroll’s blitz popped Sanchez into a fumble that defensive tackle Paul Soliai recovered, leading to the touchdown that put the Dolphins up 17-0. And when the blitzes didn’t get there, Sanchez still felt enough pressure to alter his throws, not something a quarterback with accuracy issues needs.

Dolphins run defense vs. Jets running game

Who won: Dolphins

The impact: The final numbers look respectable for the Jets — 105 yards on 21 carries, 5.0 per carry. Look deeper. A 36-yard run by Shonn Greene accounted for just over one-third of those yards and that came in the third quarter with the Dolphins up 27-3. Before that run, the Jets ran for 29 yards on 11 carries. In the first half, the Dolphins allowed only 18 yards on eight carries. When the Jets can’t run, their offense is as unplugged as Manhattan during the 1977 blackout.