JuicyTalk
The Miami Dolphins took advantage of the New York Jets’ mental mistakes to earn their first win of the season, 27-21. With that loss, the Jets fell to 0-4 for the third time in the last six years.
Not only did Gang Green turn the ball over three times and go 0 for 2 in the red zone, but they were also flagged 13 times for 101 yards of penalties.
The Jets’ defense couldn’t get off the field on the first drive of the night. The ‘Phins recorded two third-down conversions to start the game on their way to a 47-yard field goal to go up 3-0. Despite completing just two of five passes on that series, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa accounted for 22 of Miami’s 37 yards.
Even though the Jets looked unstoppable on their first possession, a costly error cut that drive short. As he was diving for the end zone, running back Braelon Allen was stripped of the football. Miami recovered that live ball at their own four yard line, which effectively took a touchdown off the board for Gang Green. That fumble was scooped up by Pro Bowl safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, his first fumble recovery since 2021.
Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill had an excellent outing before being carted off the field in the third quarter with a knee injury, catching six passes for 67 yards. He caught three balls for 48 yards on Miami’s second drive of the night, which eventually led to a touchdown by tight end Darren Waller on a 4th and goal to increase Miami’s lead to 10-0. That was Waller’s first TD catch in two years.
The Jets continued to shoot themselves in the foot on their next possession. They were flagged twice before quarterback Justin Fields gave away the football on a strip-sack fumble while facing a 4th and 5 at Miami’s 36. That fumble was recovered by the Dolphins and returned to New York’s 43.
Flags were a problem for both teams. Miami and New York combined for 18 infractions and 141 penalty yards tonight.
New York got the ball back with a little less than two minutes left in the first half. On a 3rd and 7, Justin Fields hit wideout Garrett Wilson for 11 yards to get into Dolphins territory. Following an illegal contact penalty on Miami, the Jets attempted a 58-yard field goal, which brought the score to 10-3 at the half. That field goal marks a new career-long for Jets kicker Nick Folk.
Coming out of the break, New York once again made a mistake when it fumbled the second half opening kickoff. That live ball was picked up by Miami deep in Jets territory. Gang Green currently leads the league in lost fumbles with six on the season.
With excellent field position, the ‘Phins had no issue finding the end zone. Once again, Tua Tagovailoa linked up with Darren Waller for an easy touchdown to extend the lead to 17-3. Waller finished the game with three catches for 27 yards and two touchdowns.
Facing a 14-point deficit, the Jets elected to go for a 4th and 1 on Miami’s side of the field. Justin Fields responded to that situation with a spectacular 43-yard touchdown run to narrow the gap and bring the score to 17-10.
The ‘Phins had no problem responding to the Jets’ TD. They put together a seven-play, 68-yard scoring drive that resulted in a nine-yard touchdown scamper from running back De’Von Achane, his first rushing TD of the season. That score put Miami back on top by 14 points, 24-10.
After an exchange of punts, the Jets quickly moved the ball down the field and got into Miami’s red zone, thanks in part to a pair of passes for 40 yards by Justin Fields. However, penalties derailed the drive. A touchdown was taken off the board due to an offensive pass interference. Then, an unnecessary roughness penalty moved Gang Green back another 15 yards, so they settled for a field goal to make it 24-13 in the fourth quarter.
Both teams punted, which gave Miami the ball midway through the fourth quarter. De’Von Achane then broke off back-to-back runs totaling 34 yards to get the offense to New York’s 40. Tua Tagovailoa, who had 177 passing yards and two TDs, soon found tight end Julian Hill for 19 yards to move the ball into the red zone. Though the drive didn’t lead to a touchdown, Miami still kicked a field goal to go ahead 27-13 late in the fourth quarter.
The Jets refused to go away quietly. Garrett Wilson made a phenomenal 23-yard touchdown catch to narrow the gap to 27-19. Justin Fields then pounded the ball into the end zone for a two-point conversion to make the score 27-21 with 1:49 left in the game.
The ‘Phins got the ball and were able to burn the clock down to just 13 seconds left in the game before punting the ball back to New York. By the time the Jets’ offense took the field, they only had two seconds left on the clock. They attempted a crazy lateral play, but it would be too little too late as they would fail to reach the end zone, giving Miami the win.
*Author’s note: all information and statistics are tracked in real time and are provided by the game’s broadcaster, NFL.com, and ESPN.com*
