Entering today's final game of the 2011 regular season, the Jets needed a win, along with losses by three other teams to reach the playoffs. Instead, they finished the season with three consecutive defeats (including a 19-17 loss to the Miami Dolphins today), a big step backward for a team that reached the AFC championship game each of the past two years.

The Jets were once again victims of their own mistakes, as quarterback Mark Sanchez threw three interceptions, all leading to field goals from Miami kicker Dan Carpenter. The Jets defense also gave up six third-down conversions during the Dolphins' 21-play, 94-yard drive for their only touchdown of the game.

The first two interceptions from Sanchez fell into the hands of 305-pound defensive lineman Randy Starks, while Sanchez's final misfire came at the Miami 10-yard-line with 3 minutes left and the Jets trailing 16-10. Reserve linebacker Marvin Mitchell stepped in front of intended receiver Shonn Greene and rumbled 55 yards to set up what ended up being the game-winning field goal.

Until the last 2:32 of the game (down by nine points against the Dolphins' prevent defense), Sanchez had completed only 7 of his 13 passes for 57 yards and a season-high three interceptions against four or fewer pass rushers. On the last drive, Sanchez completed all six of his passes for 67 yards and a touchdown against four or fewer rushers.

The Jets ran the ball on only 26 of their 62 offensive snaps Sunday (42 percent). Over the past two seasons, the Jets have gone 13-2 when running the ball more than 45 percent of the time, but only 6-11 in all other contests. Against the Dolphins, the Jets failed to reach the 45-percent plateau for the sixth time in their last eight games, yielding only a 1-5 record.

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