EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The Miami Dolphins entered the final month of the regular season knowing exactly whats at stake. Win, and their post-season hopes look a lot better. Lose, and they might have to start considering next year. Ryan Tannehill threw for 331 yards and two touchdowns, leading Miami to a 23-3 victory over the listless New York Jets on Sunday that helped the Dolphins keep pace in the AFC post-season picture. "We didnt talk about it a lot," Tannehill said. "We knew the situation. Were not stupid. Everyone was aware of it." The Dolphins also drove struggling rookie Geno Smith out of the game, sending the Jets shaky quarterback situation into a mess of uncertainty while severely damaging their playoff dreams. "It was an awful performance by us," coach Rex Ryan said. "We got outplayed in all three phases of the game, and I know our fans deserved a hell of a lot better than that." Brian Hartline and Mike Wallace caught touchdown passes for Miami (6-6), which converted two turnovers into 10 points. Tannehill finished 28 of 43 with an interception as the Dolphins took control in the second half after dominating the stats sheet in the first two quarters. Miami is still the only team in the league to score fewer than 28 points in every game, but the Dolphins improved to 3-2 since the bullying scandal involving Richie Incognito and Jonathan Martin rocked the franchise. "December is where you either step up or fall down," Tannehill said. "We knew that coming in. I think the guys are ready to buckle down and take it one game at a time." The Jets (5-7) lost their third straight, and now Ryan is forced to consider who will be under centre next week against Oakland: Smith, Matt Simms, who replaced him to start the second half, or David Garrard, who hasnt played in a regular-season game since 2010. "I cant answer that question right now," Ryan said. "We need to see it and get everybodys opinion and do what we think is in the best interest of our team." Smith was booed loudly at times throughout by the MetLife Stadium crowd while going 4 for 10 for 29 yards with an interception and an 8.3 quarterback rating. He has one touchdown and 11 interceptions in his past seven games, and overthrew receivers a few times in this one and couldnt get the offence moving. "I have complete confidence in myself," a defiant Smith said. "Its been tough these last three weeks, but I think I am the best option for this team." Simms, the son of former Giants star Phil Simms, came in to cheers to start the third quarter, but didnt fare much better while going 9 for 18 for 79 yards with an interception. He was sacked three times Philip Wheeler recovered a fumble by Simms on the Jets second possession of the third quarter. The Dolphins took advantage, getting a 31-yard catch-and-run for a score by Hartline that made it 13-0. Nick Folk finally got the Jets on the scoreboard with a 20-yard field goal in the third quarter. New Yorks momentum was quickly squashed as Wallace caught a short pass from Tannehill and ran through a poor tackle try by Dee Milliner for a 28-yard touchdown and a 20-3 lead with just over a minute left in the third quarter. That sent many Jets fans heading for the exits early. "We havent been finishing this whole season," said Dolphins defensive end Olivier Vernon, who had 2 1/2 sacks. "Thats one thing the coaches have stressed to us. I feel like we got that job done today." Caleb Sturgis ended a scoreless snoozer with a 34-yard field goal with 44 seconds left in the opening half, making up for an earlier miss. Smith gave the ball back to Miami moments later with his 19th interception on a pass he tried to force to Greg Salas. Dannell Ellerbe stepped in front of Salas with 22 seconds remaining, leading to a 43-yarder by Sturgis. The Dolphins dominated during the first two quarters, outgaining the Jets 265 yards to 39, with 16 first downs to New Yorks 2. Miami also held the ball for 24 minutes, 12 seconds, with New York having it for just 5:43. The Dolphins ran more plays (50) in the first half than the Jets had total yards. Miami finished by outgaining New York 453-177. "We had some opportunities and we were moving the ball well," Tannehill said. "We came with the mindset we are going to score touchdowns in the second half." NOTES: Hartline led the Dolphins with nine receptions for 127 yards, and Tannehill topped 3,000 yards passing for each of his first two seasons. ... Jets KR-WR Josh Cribbs left in the second quarter with a shoulder injury and didnt return. ... Jets WR Santonio Holmes was active after not practicing all week with a hamstring issue, but saw few snaps and had no catches. "It was a coaches decision," Holmes said. Ryan said the team was trying to "pace" Holmes. Cheap Jerseys . Coach Randy Carlyle didnt know the severity of Bozaks injury. Bozak left the bench and went down the tunnel early in the second period, returned to play a handful of shifts and then did play in the third. Wholesale Jerseys . Niese pitched seven steady innings on a rainy Tuesday night and Daniel Murphy had three hits to lead New York to a 6-1 victory over the Phillies.TORONTO - Toronto Blue Jays slugger Jose Bautista is making progress from a mild hamstring strain and could return to the lineup this weekend. He missed a three-game series against New York this week after suffering the injury last Sunday while trying to leg out a base hit during a game in Cincinnati. Manager John Gibbons said the plan is for Bautista to have a "light day" Thursday before really testing out the leg Friday with the teams training staff. "Hopefully by the end of the weekend, were hoping he can get out there," Gibbons said. Anthony Gose was slotted to fill in for Bautista in right field on Thursday night against the Chicago White Sox. Bautista could be used as a pinch-hitter at some point in the four-game series but its doubtful that would occur before Saturday. Bautista is batting .305 this season with 15 home runs and 49 RBIs in 77 games. Also Thursday, Gibbons said infielder Steve p;Tolleson "was good to go" after seeing an eye specialist earlier in the day.dddddddddddd Tolleson had been dealing with blurry vision over the last few days, likely due to an allergic reaction to his contact lenses. He was wearing glasses before taking batting practice at Rogers Centre. "They make him look way too smart to be out there," Gibbons joked. The Blue Jays have had a few players go down with injuries of late. Infielder Brett Lawrie was also hurt last Sunday against the Reds, breaking a finger when he was hit by a pitch. Lawrie, from Langley, B.C., will likely be out until at least the all-star break in mid-July. Left-handed reliever Brett Cecil also went on the disabled list last week due to a groin injury. The Blue Jays entered play Thursday with a 1 1/2-game lead on second-place Baltimore in the American League East division standings. Follow @GregoryStrongCP on Twitter. ' ' '