EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. » It’s all in the mind-set.

"Scratch, claw, bite, kick, whatever you have to do make a play and win," Dolphins defensive end Cameron Wake explained after Monday night’s dull but effective slugfest with the New York Jets ended in a 16-13 Miami victory.

The Dolphins found the right formula to stay in the AFC playoff race: Simply let the Jets run the ball all night, and wait for New York to make mistakes — something the Jets have done quite well all season.

Caleb Sturgis’ third field goal, from 26 yards with 1:57 remaining, gave Miami the comeback victory over its arch rival.

New York rushed for 277 yards on 49 carries, but made enough key errors in the second half to lose.

"Can’t believe we’re 2-10," Jets coach Rex Ryan said, shaking his head and pausing. "It’s a joke."

The Dolphins remained a factor in the wild-card race thanks to special teams; Landry’s eight receptions; Lamar Miller’s 4-yard TD run early in the fourth quarter; and plenty of defense when the Jets needed to pass.

New York’s Geno Smith threw only 13 times, fewest in the NFL this season, and gained 49 yards. The usually reliable Nick Folk missed two field goals.

All of that offset a season high on the ground as Chris Johnson had his best performance for the Jets with 105 yards.

"We had to draw a line in the dirt. No more," Wake said of his team’s stinginess after halftime. "We came out in the second half scheme-wise the same, but guys played the way they’re supposed to play."

After trailing most of the way, Miami tied it on Miller’s run with 10:24 remaining. That brought the loudest cheers of the night; thousands of Dolphins fans at MetLife Stadium braved the wet, windy conditions.

Early on, Hawaii alum Greg Salas, with his fourth team in four pro seasons, scored his first career touchdown. But the receiver didn’t get it through the air, instead scoring on a well-conceived reverse on which the Dolphins had no one close to him until he reached the 2. He dived into the end zone to cap an 85-yard drive, but that ended his night; Salas hurt a hamstring.

Barry Wilner, Associated Press

DOLPHINS 16, JETS 13

First Quarter
NYJ—Salas 20 run (Folk kick), 7:45.
Second Quarter
NYJ—FG Folk 40, 12:01.
Mia—FG Sturgis 43, :00.
Third Quarter
Mia—FG Sturgis 44, 10:56.
NYJ—FG Folk 45, 7:17.
Fourth Quarter
Mia—Miller 4 run (Sturgis kick), 10:24.
Mia—FG Sturgis 26, 1:57.
A—78,160.

RUSHING—Miami, Miller 13-56, Tannehill 4-13, Dan.Thomas 1-5. N.Y. Jets, C.Johnson 17-105, Ivory 16-62, Kerley 2-38, Harvin 6-27, Salas 1-20, Smith 4-19, B.Powell 2-4, Conner 1-2.
PASSING—Miami, Tannehill 25-35-1-235. N.Y. Jets, Smith 7-13-1-65.
RECEIVING—Miami, Landry 8-68, M.Wallace 6-69, Sims 4-58, Gibson 2-17, Miller 2-11, Hartline 1-9, Dan.Thomas 1-3, Hoskins 1-0. N.Y. Jets, B.Powell 2-19, Decker 2-18, Sudfeld 1-20, Harvin 1-6, Kerley 1-2.
MISSED FIELD GOALS—Miami, Sturgis 43 (WL). N.Y. Jets, Folk 48 (WL), 45 (WL).