The Miami Dolphins welcomed the New York Jets into Hard Rock Stadium on Monday night, part of a doubleheader of games to close out Week 4 of the NFL season. The Dolphins were not great hosts, however,
smacking the Jets around throughout the entire game.
The major story of the game will be the injury to wide receiver Tyreek Hill. Early in the second half, Hill caught a pass and had his leg awkwardly folded up under him as he was brought down. The Dolphins took him to the hospital nearly immediately with his leg in a brace.
Miami’s offense looked more like the 2023 high-octane scoring machine they were in this game than the stagnant system they had been using. They are going to have to prove they can keep it up, but if this is the Dolphins team we will see, it should be a much better year than what we saw to start the season.
Final Score
Jets 21 – 27 Dolphins
Recap and Reactions
First Quarter
Dolphins first possession
The Dolphins won the coin toss, but elected to receive rather than their standard deferral, choosing to put the offense on the field and hope to get a fast start. They opened with two runs from running back De’Von Achane, gaining five yards, before tight end Darren Waller made his debut with a 14-yard catch for a first down on a pass over the middle from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. The Dolphins went back and forth between runs and passes before an incomplete pass targeting wide receiver Jaylen Waddle on 3rd-and-3, a play that should have been flagged for defensive pass interference, led to a Miami 47-yard field goal.
Good start, and the team needs to stay balanced. Tagovailoa looks decisive early, another thing that needs to continue into this game. The Dolphins targeted Waller, Achane, Waddle, and wide receiver Tyreek Hill on that drive, looking to get all of their playmakers into a rhythm.
Dolphins 3-0.
Jets first possession
New York clearly wanted to establish a physical running attack on their drive. On a 12-play drive the Jets called running plays nine times, with two of the passing play calls turning into scrambles from quarterback Justin Fields. They ran for 76 yards on the drive, averaging 6.9 yards per carry. The drive reached the Miami six-yard line, before cornerback Jack Jones punched the ball out of the grasp of running back Braelon Allen, with safety Minkah Fitzpatrick recovering the loose ball.
Bend don’t break. Wow, the defense has to adjust to the Jets’ running game. They obviously have seen that Miami struggles against physical attacks, and they are coming out playing power football. The turf is also an issue. There was a replay showing a Jets run, and you could watch Dolphins defensive lineman Kenneth Grant just being pushed backwards like he was wearing ice skates. They got lucky with their first takeaway of the year. Now they need to score and the defense needs to tighten up.
Dolphins second possession
Miami opened at their own four-yard line after the turnover, but quickly moved away from the endzone with a nine-yard pass on second down from Tagovailoa to Hill for a first down. From there, the Dolphins picked up six yards on a run from Achane then, after a holding penalty negated a 10-yard run from Achane, they picked up 11 yards on a pass to Hill as the first quarter ended.
Second Quarter
Dolphins second possession (continued)
After the break, Miami picked up 28 yards on a pass from Tagovailoa to Hill, who turned a short pass into a long gain on a crossing route. After a bad snap led to a four-yard loss, Tagovailoa threw to wide receiver Malik Washington on a screen for four yards, then found Waddle down the right sideline for 25 yards. On the next play, Miami broke out some of the razzle dazzle from the 2023 season, with Tagovailoa flipping the ball behind his back to Washington on an end-around for a nine-yard gain. Running back Ollie Gordon then powered through the middle for six yards. Three plays later, on a 4th-and-Goal, Tagovailoa worked his progressions to find Waller in the back of the endzone, with the tight end working a gorgeous toe tap to score.
Great drive. Everything worked – other than the one bad shotgun snap. The flip behind the back was vintage 2023 Dolphins, and it was so clean. The touchdown was just beautiful work from both Tagovailoa and Waller.
Dolphins 10-0.
Jets second possession
The Jets again came out looking to run the ball against Miami’s defense, starting with a 23-yard run from running back Breece Hall to move from the 26-yard line to the 49. After a four-yard run and a sack by Dolphins cornerback Rasul Douglas, the Jets were able to convert on 3rd-and-8 with an eight-yard pass. Several penalties on both teams continued to reset the play before eventually reaching a 2nd-and-13 from the Miami 44-yard line. A pass for eight yards and a incomplete pass set up 4th-and-5 from the Dolphins’ 36, with linebacker Tyrel Dodson sacking Fields, with the quarterback fumbling and Miami linebacker Jaelan Phillips picking up the loose ball.
Two Jets possessions, two Dolphins takeaways. After having no takeaways in the first three games, Miami’s defense has come to play today. They are still getting gashed by the run, but they are making things happen when it is necessary and they are taking advantage of the Jets imploding on offense.
Dolphins third possession
The Dolphins’ drive was short, with a holding penalty on a 15-yard pass to Hill on 3rd-and-9 negating a 15-yard gain and setting up 3rd-and-19. Washington gained nine yards on a catch but Miami punted after the two-minute warning.
Miami has allowed penalties to kill them early this year. This can’t be the start of a trend tonight.
Jets third possession
Hall picked up four yards to start the drive, then Fields threw to Hall for seven yards. A run from Hall for seven yards took the clock to under one minute remaining. The Jets used their first timeout with 46 seconds remaining following a pass from Fields to Hall for four yards to move out to their 33-yard line. A false start penalty pushed New York back to their own 32, with wide receiver Allen Lazard gaining eight yards before an incomplete pass as the Dolphins’ pass rush from linebacker Chop Robinson closed in on Fields. Fields found wide receiver Garrett Wilson for 11 yards as the clock rolled to 17 seconds and the Jets took a timeout. A pass to running back Isaiah Davis for four yards took the clock to 10 seconds before an illegal contact penalty moved them into field goal range. With no time remaining, kicker Nick Folk set a career-long with a 58-yard kick.
Not exactly the defensive stand the Dolphins would have wanted to end the half, especially with the Jets getting the ball to start the second half, but they have been getting the turnovers early so hopefully they can keep that up in the second half.
Dolphins 10-3.
Halftime Reactions
What a fun half. Man, this has been missed. The Dolphins offense is looking like head coach Mike McDaniel found his 2023 playbook and is giving it a try. They are creating space, they are using motion and misdirection, and they are running the ball.
The defense has forced two turnovers in three Jets possessions. Things are going well right now.
Of course, they have to play a full 60 minutes and, given the Jets gaining some momentum to end the half, Miami is going to have to make a stand on the opening drive of the second half to keep New York out of this game.
Third Quarter
Dolphins fourth possession
The Jets received the opening kickoff, but fumbled on the return and Miami recovered. Achane picked up one yard on first down, then Gordon added a yard on second down. On 3rd-and-8, Hill caught a pass along the sideline for a 10-yard gain and a Miami first down. The receiver stayed down on the Jets sideline after the catch, holding his knee. The replay showed his leg was wrenched entirely around him as he went down, and he was carted off the field. After the injury, Achane picked up 15 yards on two carries, setting up 2nd-and-6 from the Jets’ nine-yard line. Tagovailoa was able to find Waller on the next play for the score.
Great drive after the fumble recovery, but the story of the drive is going to be Hill. That was an ugly injury, with his leg just going the wrong direction under him. The commentators mentioned his mom came down to the field to see him before he was carted off – just another sign he is probably done for the year. That was nasty.
Dolphins 17-3.
Jets fourth possession
New York started near midfield following a penalty on Miami for illegal formation on the kickoff. Four plays later, on a 4th-and-1 from the Dolphins’ 43-yard line, Fields was flushed to his right, turned away from what looked like a guaranteed sack, and somehow wound his way back to the left and down the field for the 47-yard scramble touchdown.
That was video game running from Fields. The Dolphins appeared to have pressured him perfectly, but somehow he just worked out of the pressure, then through the rest of the defense.
Dolphins 17-10.
Dolphins fifth possession
Miami opened the possession with two pass attempts to Waddle, one leading to a defensive pass interference penalty and one picking up 16 yards. Tagovailoa then scrambled for a one-yard gain before throwing a one-yard pass to wide receiver Nick Wastrbook-Ikhine. On 3rd-and-8, Tagovailoa was forced to scramble, picking up five yards, but took a shot to the head as he slid, drawing the unnecessary roughness penalty. Three plays later, Tagovailoa threw to Achane for the nine-yard touchdown pass.
That was a great answer. Thank goodness Tagovailoa was able to bounce right back up after the hit to the head – that was similar to other hits that have cause him concussions. Good response from the offense and Miami pulls the lead back into a two-score range.
Dolphins 24-10.
Jets fifth possession
New York picked up 11 yards on the first play, with Fields throwing to rookie tight end Mason Taylor. After that, the drive was highlighted by two plays from Dolphins defensive lineman Zach Sieler who recorded back-t0-back tackles for losses, leading to a punt.
Good defensive stand. I still do not like Jason Taylor’s son in green.
Dolphins sixth possession
Miami was gifted five free yards with an encroachment penalty on first down, but they could not do anything with it and punted on a three-and-out possession.
Miami needs to kill clock – and that was not getting it done.
Jets sixth possession
Field threw to Wilson first down, picking up 18 yards, then found Taylor for 27 yards. On 1st-and-10 from the Miami 18-yard line, it appeared Fields found Wilson for the score, but an offensive pass interference penalty backed the Jets up to a 1st-and-20 from the Miami 28-yard line as the third quarter ended.
Fourth Quarter
Jets sixth possession (continued)
The Jets began with an incomplete pass, with an unnecessary roughness penalty added on to the end of the play. Now facing 2nd-and-28 from the 36-yard line, Fields scrambled for four yards. After an incomplete pass, the Jets settled for a 50-yard field goal.
Good defensive stand, with the Jets continuing to crush themselves with penalties. The early passes were an issue, but after the break, Miami was able to tighten up.
Dolphins 24-13
Dolphins seventh possession
Miami again went three-and-out, despite starting the drive with a nine-yard run from Achane. A three-yard loss on second down and an overthrow from Tagovailoa targeting Waller led to the punt.
Miami needs a clock-killing possession, but the Jets have made defensive adjustments, especially with Hill not on the field, and the Dolphins’ offense has to figure out some things now.
Jets seventh-possession
New York started the drive at their two-yard line after an odd fair catch on the punt. Miami nearly came away with the safety on the first play, with Dodson firing through the line for the stop at the one-yard line. Two plays later, Taylor was able to pick up just enough on a catch for the first down. The Jets continued their trend of gaining some yards, only to give them back on a penalty, ultimately leading to a 4th-and-10 punt to end the seven-play possession.
That was a good solid stand for the defense. Taylor picking up nine yards, Hill running for 17, and Taylor adding another 10 yards are plays the Dolphins need to stop, but the result was exactly what they needed. Now the offense needs to control the ball.
Dolphins eighth possession
Miami opened with a Achane run for 13 yards, then gave it back to him for 22 more. The running back fumbled on the third-straight run, but Miami tackle Patrick Paul was able to fall on the ball and keep possession. Tagovailoa then threw to tight end Julian Hill for 19 yards before Achane ran for no gain, leading to a Jets timeout. Miami then had to call a timeout to avoid the delay of game penalty. An incomplete pass and a one-yard run from Achane led to a Miami field goal.
Not exactly the time killing drive Miami maybe wanted, but when Achane is busting long runs, it is hard to burn too much clock. They were able to get the Jets to burn two timeouts, and the added three points, so it was an effective drive.
Dolphins 27-13.
Jets eighth possession
New York turned to the passing game with the limited time and needing two scores. They picked up 38 yards over five plays before the two-minute warning. After an incomplete play on the first snap after the break, Fields found Wilson for the 23-yard touchdown, with a successful two-point conversion.
Miami played prevent defense, which only prevents you from winning. The Jets attacked and were able to score quickly and way too easily.
Dolphins 27-21.
Dolphins ninth possession
After the onside kick attempt, the Dolphins started at the Jets’ 45-yard line, running the ball for no gain from Achane to force the final timeout from New York. With 1:44 remaining, Achane picked up three yards to bring up 3rd-and-7. Gordon lost three yards on the next carry, but Miami was more interested in running the clock than picking up anything else.
The Jets made this closer than it probably should have been, and the Dolphins got lucky from some Jets penalties, but this was the best game for Miami this year.
Jets ninth possession
Starting at the one-yard line after a perfect punt and coverage, the Jets tried to string together some laterals, but ultimately failed and Miami won.
