EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. ― Miami Dolphins' Malik Willis was seeking his first win of the season Sunday as starting quarterback in a game at the New York Jets.
And Willis delivered.
The Dolphins beat the Jets, 28-25 to secure the first win of the Jeff Hafley era.
The biggest play of the game was a 63-yard touchdown pass from Willis to rookie receiver Caleb Douglas, who evaded Jets safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and darted down to the left sideline to set up a 28-17 lead with about five minutes left.
Willis bootlegged into a blitzing corner but delivered a quick sidearm for the critical score.
Douglas returned after missing the past three weeks with an ankle injury and caught two touchdowns.
Willis sealed it with a 2-yard sneak on 4th-and-1 with two minutes
to play.
Miami is 1-5. New York is 2-5.
Here is a report card for Willis' Week performance at Jets:
Malik Willis Miami Dolphins Report Card at New York Jets
Arm strength: C+
Malik Willis had a 32-yard completion to tight end Greg Dulcich, but in this game the quarterback largely focused on short- and intermediate passes.
Willis is always going to have the arm to take aggressive shots, as called by offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik.
Accuracy: B
Malik Willis was taking some easier throws against the Jets, which is something he had not done for most of the season. Willis has been almost overly-aggressive at times but he was particuarly taking short completions to Greg Dulcich and Malik Washington.
Willis was largely on target in this contest.
Poise/Leadership: B+
Malik Willis was 3-for-3 on the first drive of the game, leading Miami to a 7-0 advantage, their first lead of the season in any game.
The drive was capped by a 7-yard touchdown pass to rookie Caleb Douglas.
It was a 7-play, 76-yard drive.
Willis was in total control in the first half.
Decision-making: B+
Malik Willis came out wanting to get rid of the ball quickly and also utilizing tight end Greg Dulcich.
Willis had a third-down conversion to Dulcich in the first quarter for 12 yards.
Willis was accurate and on-time. And he took care of the football.
Mobility: A
Malik Willis had a successful designed quarterback draw in the Jets red zone. It went for a gain of 11 on third-and-8.
Willis' wheels are an enormous boost for Miami. It seems Willis does not love to run, but my goodness, he is so dangerous when he takes off.
Willis scrambled for 11 yards on third-and-13. There was holding on Patrick Paul but it was declined.
Willis scrambled for 5 yards and a first down on a 4th-and-2 in the second quarter then added a rushing touchdown for a 21-7 lead at halftime.
Overall: B
This was a good game by Malik Willis overall. He made good decisions. He took the open, short passes when available. He used his legs incredibly effectively.
The Dolphins offense slowed down in the second half after a strong first half.
But overall, this game should still give Miami and its fans hope for the future.
Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on Threads and Instagram and X at @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe's free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami Dolphins QB Malik Willis grades: Strong play at the Jets
