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Rex Ryan got to smile as the Jets wrapped up consecutive victories for the first time all season.

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — About 45 minutes before kickoff on Sunday, Rex Ryan strode to the middle of the field. In front of him, the Jets scattered to begin their warm-ups. Ryan had just finished shaking hands with every member of the team — his team — during stretching, but now he was alone, no one within a 5-yard radius.

Ryan leaned over and clapped twice. Then he turned to watch. And wait. Now that the season is over, ending with an encouraging 20-7 victory against the Miami Dolphins, Ryan will wait no more. He will learn, no later than Monday, whether General Manager John Idzik and the owner Woody Johnson intend to retain him.

There has been no official announcement of his status, but despite rampant speculation that Ryan would be fired, the Jets appear likely to bring him back. Beloved among his players, Ryan has said repeatedly that the Jets are improving behind a talented defensive front and a promising quarterback. Idzik, who was required to keep Ryan after taking over in January, and Johnson apparently agree. It is unclear whether Ryan, who is under contract through 2014, will coach into the final year of his deal or receive an extension.

For the first time all season the Jets won consecutive games, and their victory Sunday, which ousted Miami from playoff contention, evened their record at 8-8 — a notable achievement for a team with a rookie quarterback, 11 new starters and an overhauled coaching staff. That quarterback, Geno Smith, who grew up so close to Sun Life Stadium that he could watch Super Bowl XLIV from its video scoreboard, completed 17 of 27 passes for 190 yards. For the second consecutive week, he ran for a touchdown and did not commit a turnover.

The Jets' two first-round picks, Dee Milliner and Sheldon Richardson, each made significant contributions. Milliner had two interceptions, one a pick of Miami quarterback Ryan Tannehill at the Jets' 22 late in the third quarter. Richardson, a 295-pound defensive lineman, rushed for his second touchdown in three weeks.

Four weeks ago the Jets were embarrassed by Miami at MetLife Stadium, losing by 23-3 in a game Ryan last week called "the low point" of their season. They responded by winning two of their next three, but Ryan said he would not get a true gauge of the Jets' improvement until Sunday.

"I see this team going in the right direction," Ryan said, "and I think this is an opportunity to see how accurate that statement is."

Returning to the site where their 2011 season expired in turmoil, where the decline that precipitated this rebuilding phase intensified, the Jets supported Ryan's assessment that they are an ascending team.

Trailing by 7-0 early in the second quarter after Mike Wallace's 5-yard touchdown reception capped a 14-play drive, the Jets answered by mounting two impressive scoring drives. The first ended with Richardson bulling into the end zone for a 1-yard touchdown.

The second, after the Jets forced a three-and-out, revealed Smith's command of the 2-minute offense. He drove the Jets 80 yards in 2 minutes 18 seconds, a series highlighted by a marvelous 31-yard pass to David Nelson at the Miami 2. Three plays later, and after a penalty pushed them back 5 yards, Smith scampered 7 yards for the touchdown on third and goal, crossing the goal line with a helpful shove from Bilal Powell to put the Jets ahead by 14-7 with 3 seconds left in the first half. Nick Folk added two fourth-quarter field goals to provide the margin of victory.

Even if Ryan comes back, it is unlikely that all of his coaches will. Several members of his staff, including the defensive coordinator Dennis Thurman and the special-teams coordinator Ben Kotwica, are in the final years of their contract. But for the first time in the last three off-seasons, it seems that the Jets will not be searching for a new offensive coordinator. Smith, as well as the rest of the unit, can only benefit from the stability afforded by the return of Marty Mornhinweg and, presumably, the quarterbacks coach David Lee.

Firing Ryan would be met with disapproval in the locker room, where in recent weeks respected players like Willie Colon and Calvin Pace said it was imperative for the Jets to retain him, and among a sizable number of fans who took to social media to pledge their support.