The NFL often spins a tale of déjà vu, and nowhere is this truer than in the AFC East. It’s a division where history has a knack for repeating itself in the most uncanny ways. Miami Dolphins and New York Jets fans know this too well, as they’ve witnessed a peculiar pattern unfold over the years.
Take the penchant of the Jets for acquiring marquee quarterbacks from the Green Bay Packers. First, they snagged Brett Favre, and then, years down the line, Aaron Rodgers entered the picture.
Dolphins fans remember Favre’s tenure all too well, particularly how Miami dealt him a career-ending blow in New York, shattering the Jets’ playoff dreams. Fast forward to Rodgers, and though he managed a win in a Week 18 faceoff with Miami, it was too little, too late, with the Dolphins already knocking the Jets out of postseason contention.
Notably, Tyreek Hill seemed more into the game than the rest—at least until the fourth quarter.
The interwoven fates of these teams extend beyond the roster to the sidelines. When Miami parted ways with Adam Gase, the Jets swooped in.
Now, history echoes once again as the Jets bring in Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn to step into the shoes of Robert Saleh. If Glenn’s name sounds familiar, it’s because he shares a storied past with Miami’s celebrated “Fake Spike” game.
To relive the drama, we need to rewind to Week 13 of the 1994 season. Dan Marino and the Dolphins stormed into New York, and what followed was nothing short of legendary.
Marino orchestrated four touchdowns, each targeting wide receiver Mark Ingram. But it’s the last one—the “Fake Spike”—that etched itself into NFL folklore.
Glenn, tasked with covering Ingram, seemed to lose focus precisely when it mattered most, allowing an unguarded Ingram to secure the game-winner with a mere 22 seconds on the clock.
Once again, the AFC East gears up for another potentially pivotal season. Miami is keenly aware of the pressures facing the Jets—whether it’s the scrutiny from New York’s media, the unsettling quarterback situation, or burdensome contracts.
Only time will tell if Glenn’s chapter with the Jets becomes a triumphant tale or simply another strange twist in the storied rivalry. If success is on the horizon for Glenn, Miami fans hope it’s a sequel reserved for another part of his career.