EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. ― By the time reporters entered the Miami Dolphins locker room after their first win of the season, the music was silenced and the celebration had all but ceased.
Surely there was jubilation and celebration and... champagne?
OK, so it turns out that instead of champagne after a 28-25 win at the New York Jets
, to halt an 0-5 start to this rebuild season, there was a lot of water thrown in the air."Look up at the ceiling," Dolphins center Aaron Brewer said with a grin. "About 20 bottles of water, I would say. We had to celebrate Coach (Jeff Hafley') first win and (GM Jon-Eric Sullivan's) first win and also the first win for the rookies."
The large, off-white ceiling tiles in the locker room in New Jersey, were, in fact, soaked.
And Hafley, in fact, entered his press conference with a towel draped around his neck.
"The important thing for me was for them to feel this moment," Hafley said. "It was really cool being in there with them there. That's one I know we'll all remember as we build this thing. That feeling we just had."
Miami Dolphins earn first win of Jeff Hafley era
The Dolphins won because quarterback Malik Willis had his best game as a Dolphin.
Willis made good decisions, including taking off for on some critical runs.
"He was decisive today," Hafley said.
The Dolphins won because powerhouse running back Ollie Gordon II topped 100 yards again and had four straight rushes in the closing moments, as Miami protected a lead.
"I just think it shows trust," Gordon said. "Our coaches trust our o-line and the trust in me is starting to grow more and more each week. And I feel like that's a great feeling to have, feeling that your coaches and teammates can lean on you."
The Dolphins won because they've found their identity: it's powerful runs behind a powerful offensive line. It's physicality. It's toughness in the trenches.
And on this day, Hafley's Dolphins went 3-for-3 on fourth down, including the gutsy call that sealed the game. On a 4th-and-1 from the Jets' 49, with two minutes to play, Hafley asked the players on the sideline what they thought.
"He just asked us what we wanted," center Aaron Brewer said. "Did we want to go for it? And what play did we want. That just shows us how much he trusts in us. And how much he believes in us. He put it on our shoulders and we executed."
The play call was a Malik Willis quarterback sneak. It was a two-yard gain. And game.
"When I saw the look in their eye I was very confident they would get it," Hafley said. "So as soon I saw that there was no doubt in my mind I would go for it. I trust them. Once I made the decision I knew we'd get it."
The Dolphins jumped out to a 21-7 halftime lead they would not relinquish, even as it got tight.
Miami Dolphins dressed 15 rookies at New York Jets
Miami suited up an incredible 15 rookies, including receiver Caleb Douglas, who had a 7-yard touchdown in the first quarter and a 63-yard touchdown in the fourth to help Miami to a 28-17 lead.
General manager Sullivan appears to have done well with his first Miami rookie class.
One player expressed concern that Sullivan's suede jacket got wet. It's unlikely Sullivan was upset.
The Dolphins are so, so young, but they are trying so, so hard.
The effort has been there and now, finally, a win to show for it.
The only perfect season in pro football history will not be bookmarked by the only 0-17 season in pro football history.
"What you saw you is a glimpse of what this team can be and what this team is going to be," said Brewer the center.
Said Patrick Paul, the left tackle: "Winning is fun. Winning is everything."
Realized Hafley, the coach: "My socks are wet."
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
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Jeff Hafley's bold 4th-down gamble seals Dolphins' win over Jets
