Another Sunday, another Jets game every fan dubs “must-win.” I understand that we’re trying to watch competitive Jets football, but I think you guys are really misusing and abusing that term. The fanbase is usually toxic, but this year has been especially tiring to see all the flip-flopping from week to week depending on the game’s result. Fun fact: the Jets can lose this game and still make the playoffs. The Jets can win this game 40-0 and still miss the playoffs.
That’s not to say this game is unimportant;
I’m just trying (failing) to cleanse my eyes and ears of the “must-win” narrative every week. My favorite NFL team is facing my least favorite NFL team, and I’m hoping to see a thrashing. Good teams beat bad teams; I think we all know this. It may be less apparent, however, that good teams almost always have winning records against their division. It’s the easiest way to beef up your record: six guaranteed games every year against an opponent you know.
Unfortunately, Aaron Glenn is 0-7 in such games. The previous Head Coach, Robert Saleh, was also 0-6 in his first year with the Jets, but in his first AFC East game, he thrashed the Dolphins 40-17 in what was the Jets’ first win by multiple scores in over two seasons at that point. These talented Jets have already won by multiple scores this year, so that monkey isn’t on their back, but the last time the Jets beat a divisional opponent was Aaron Rodgers’s swan song against the Dolphins in Week 18 of the 2024 season.
These Jets and Dolphins look totally different today than they did in that matchup, but the indisputable truth is that the 2026 Jets have more talent on both sides of the ball than the 2026 Dolphins. Perhaps that’s why you feel this is a must-win? I wonder if the Rams had that same energy last week, knowing they were much more talented than the Arizona Cardinals, who eliminated me in my Survivor Pool.
The Jets should win – let’s expect a win. I’ll be the first to admit, though, that I won’t be surprised if Miami gets their first win this week. Coaching is the most underappreciated aspect of winning, and I think we can all agree that the Jets’ coaching hasn’t been up to par. Whether you blame a coordinator or the head coach is up to you, but we all agree there’s plenty of room for improvement.
Can Jeff Hafley finally win his first game in six tries, now that he’s finally facing a struggling coaching staff instead of the likes of Andy Reid, Kyle Shanahan, and Kevin O’Connell? Let’s discuss:
The Return (Part II)
I was so excited last week to see Omar Cooper Jr. return to the lineup after an electric first drive in Week 1. I started last week’s three things with my excitement, and I was so curious to see how he’d be used. He exceeded my most optimistic predictions with six catches, 103 yards, and one touchdown on seven targets. He was easily the most productive WR on the field and rightfully earned Rookie of the Week honors.
This week we’ll have the pleasure of seeing Adonai Mitchell back on the field for the Jets. I’m not sure a 100-yard game is in his immediate future, but he’s had 60+ yards in both of his healthy games this season and reportedly has chemistry with Geno Smith that dates back to the summer. For the first time since the first drive of the season, Frank Reich will have his original WR trio of Wilson, Mitchell, and Cooper Jr. on the field at the same time. If there was ever a time to unleash the playbook and all the plans they’ve had for months, this would be it.
With Breece Hall possibly back, the sky truly becomes the limit. This offense is overflowing with playmakers, with multiple options at each skill position who can take over a game. In five games, Miami has allowed 24 or more points four times. In those four games, all four opposing QBs threw for at least two touchdowns, and the fifth (Kyler Murray) had 247 yards with no turnovers. It’s worth noting Murray was without his top option, Justin Jefferson, for this game.
Geno Smith and Frank Reich will have every player at their disposal, a full-strength roster to try to dominate this barren Miami defense. The only game this season the Jets have scored 24+ points or had Geno throw multiple touchdowns was the 31-24 loss in Detroit, which fired up the fanbase about the Jets’ offensive potential. The Jets haven’t even surpassed 20 points since, 4th worst in the league during this span.
Simply put, there’s no excuse to not turn it around this Sunday. Against a team that regularly surrenders 24 points and 2+ pass touchdowns, I’m expecting these Jets to score 24 points and throw 2+ pass touchdowns. A big part of Geno’s sole performance of this nature was Kenyon Sadiq’s seven-catch, 103-yard game, capped by a beautiful horizontal TD. He has three catches for 15 yards in the three games since (avg. 1 catch for 5 yds per game).
The Dolphins have been especially leaky to tight ends, surrendering touchdowns to George Kittle, Travis Kelce, Mike Gesicki, and Tanner Hudson. The other tight ends they faced were Michael Mayer (who led his team in catches and targets) and T.J. Hockenson, who turned back the clock with 13 catches and 119 yards against the Dolphins. That’s more catches and yards than he has in all his other games combined! In his other four games played, he has 10 catches and 83 yards.
24 points. 2+ pass touchdowns. Adonai Mitchell yards. Kenyon Sadiq (or Mason Taylor) touchdown. Wow, maybe we should do a parlay?
Road Block
If the Miami Dolphins have any hope of winning, they’ll need to run the ball. This is their greatest strength to date: they’re currently 8th in the NFL in rushing yards per game (126.6) and 5th-highest in yards per attempt (4.9). The issue is that they fall behind so early that they have to abandon the run and try to make up ground in the passing game.
Do you see why the Jets might be the perfect “get right” game for them? Facing a team that hasn’t scored more than seven points in the first half since Week 1 vs. the Titans is a great way to keep hammering Plan A and potentially even win the time-of-possession battle. They might not have to abandon the rushing game and can use it to keep the Jets offense off the field.
Malik Willis already threw for a Justin Fields-esque 85 passing yards on a 52.5% completion percentage against the Vikings, but that was surprisingly the closest they came to a win, thanks to 100 yards and a touchdown from Ollie Gordon II. Gordon has scored in each of the last three games and is averaging 76.3 rushing yards per game during that time.
The Jets were destroyed by Chicago RB Kyle Monangai for 146 yards and 2 scores, just allowed random Patriots RB Corey Kiner to average 5.2 ypc on 11 carries last week, and I won’t mention the acts of Jahmyr Gibbs in Week 3. If I’m Jeff Hafley, the blueprint is clear: use Willis and Gordon’s legs to move the ball downfield, ice the Jets offense, and put up points after excruciatingly long drives.
Of course, the Jets can end this by finally being the explosive offense they are on paper, but if not, what can the defense do to stop the run game? They allow the 10th most rushing yards per game (123) in the league, and outside of Gibbs, they haven’t even faced the toughest running backs on the schedule yet. James Cook twice, Kenneth Walker(!!), Ashton Jeanty; there will be plenty of mountains to climb in the future. Can they climb this hill named Ollie Gordon II? The same guy who ran 100 yards on the 5th-best run defense, the Minnesota Vikings.
2-Minute Warning
Let us not forget it was a little writer named James Wudi who pointed out the ineptitude at 2-minute execution on this incredible site before CBS put up an equally damning graphic about getting outscored at the end of the first half specifically. I included both halves because the second half doesn’t look much better, but I’m sure you’ve seen all the media outlets comment on this ad nauseam.
I’ll point out that last week’s field goal with 32 seconds left ended the drought of scoreless two-minute drills that extends back to last year. Obviously, a garbage-time field goal doesn’t really do much to dispel the belief that Aaron Glenn is the absolute bottom of the barrel at clock management, but we can no longer talk about the streak of scoreless drills to discredit him.
Well, since CBS kept it to the first half only, maybe we still can. For first halves, we are talking about the Jets haven’t scored any points since Week 8 of last year. For those of us keeping up with time, the Jets and Dolphins are facing off in Week 7 of the 2026 NFL Season. We are approaching a full season-length of time without any points from Aaron Glenn’s Jets in the two minutes before halftime.
The issue here is simple: can they score meaningful points via 2-minute drill? That remains to be seen. Let’s go Jets!
