In the New York Jets’ seventh game of the 2026 season, on a gorgeous, warm and sunny day in East Rutherford, New Jersey, the Jets lost to the Miami Dolphins, 28 – 25.
The game opened with the Jets on defense. It did not go well. The Dolphins marched right down the field, mixing runs and passes effectively against a Jets defense that provided only token resistance. A few minutes into the first quarter Malik Willis connected with Caleb Douglas in the end zone for an early 7 – 0 Dolphins lead. It was
the first lead the Dolphins have had all season.
The Jets quickly struck back. A long catch and run to Omar Cooper got the Jets within striking distance of the end zone. A couple of plays later Geno Smith found Mason Taylor in the end zone and the game was tied at 7 – 7 midway through the first quarter.
The Dolphins stormed back with a 14 play drive, having their way with a Jets defense that couldn’t do anything against an offense that was one of the worst in the NFL before they faced the Jets. The Dolphins eventually ran the ball in for a 14 – 7 lead as the first quarter drew to a close.
On the next Jets drive the Jets moved the ball well before Geno Smith threw a damaging red zone interception. This was not a promising start to a game the Jets needed to win.
Neither team could get much going on offense for most of the second quarter until the Dolphins put together another long, punishing drive late. With six seconds left in the half Malik Willis ran the ball in for a touchdown and a 21 – 7 Dolphins lead going into the locker room. The Jets were on the precipice of a humiliating loss to a winless Dolphins team.
The Jets opened the third quarter on offense. They had some success running the ball and drove down inside the Dolphins’ 25 yard line before the drive bogged down. Jason Sanders doinked a field goal attempt off the uprights and the Jets came away without any points.
After the Jets held the Dolphins without any points on the next drive, the Jets took over on offense and drove down the field. The drive was highlighted by a long catch and run to Omar Cooper, and ended when Geno Smith found Cooper in the end zone a few plays later. The score was now Dolphins 21, Jets 14 and the Jets had some life with a little less than six minutes remaining in the third quarter.
The third quarter ended with the Jets on offense and the score still 21 – 14 in favor of the Dolphins. The Jets got the ball all the way inside the Dolphins’ one yard line with a first and goal. They then proceeded to go backwards on each of the next three plays before settling for a short field goal. It was a failure at the goal line that had the potential to cost the Jets the game. The score was now Dolphins 21, Jets 17 with nine minutes left in the game.
After the Jets and Dolphins exchanged fruitless drives the Dolphins got the ball and scored on a long catch and run pass to Caleb Douglas. The score was Dolphins 28, Jets 17 and that blown opportunity with first and goal at the one yard line was looming large for the Jets with less than five minutes left in the game.
The Jets put together a nice drive ending in a touchdown pass to Mason Taylor with a little more than three minutes left in the game. Mason Taylor caught the two point conversion pass and the Jets trailed 28 – 25.
The Jets never got the ball back. On a 4th and one with two minutes left and the Jets with no timeouts, the Jets were unable to stop the Dolphins from converting. The Dolphins ran out the clock and the Jets lost a game at home to a team that had never held a lead this season prior to today.
Final score: Dolphins 28, Jets 25 .
The loss brought the Jets’ record to 2-5. Any realistic playoff hopes are gone, as the Jets would probably need an 8-2 finish to secure playoff berth. Based on what we’ve seen to date, does anyone believe the Jets have that kind of run in them?
The Jets stay home next week to take on a surprisingly competitive Las Vegas Raiders team, looking to not embarrass themselves.
