It wasn't easy, but the Dolphins took down the Jets on Sunday. A few things I mentioned in the preview came to fruition for the Jets, allowing them to stay in this game. Aaron Rodgers threw for a season-high 339 yards, Garrett Wilson and Davante Adams each had over 100 receiving yards, and the backfield duo of Isaiah Davis and Braelon Allen gave the Dolphins issues, but it wasn't enough.
The Jets' nightmare of a season continues as they fall to 3-10, while the Dolphins improve to 6-7. It was a back-and-forth game, with seven lead changes in total, but the Dolphins got the ball first in overtime, and that was the difference. The streak continues, as the Jets haven't won in Miami since 2014.
Tua Dealing
Tua Tagovailoa has simply been excellent since returning, especially at home. He's second in the NFL in passing yards per game with 273 and has 17 touchdowns to only four interceptions on the year. As I mentioned, the Jets' pass defense isn't what it was last season, and Tua wasted no time proving it.
He didn't turn the ball over, was sacked zero times, and looked more mobile in the pocket. He needed to be good because the running game could not get going for the third game in a row. The Dolphins only averaged 2.3 yards per carry. De'Von Achane has yet to hit those big plays he did last season (rushing-wise, anyway).
The next step for Tua is performing on the road. He played a great second half against Green Bay, but the game was already out of reach. This Sunday, there will be a test against a strong Texans defense.
Hill and Waddle In Sync
Much like Wilson and Adams for the Jets, until Sunday, Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle had performed poorly in the same game since Week 1. However, with Sauce Gardner missing and Tua playing as well as he has been, Sunday gave them that opportunity. Hill's 14 targets and 10 catches were a season-high, and Waddle finished with nine receptions for 99 yards.
Jonnu Smith and De'Von Achane are a nice change of pace in the passing game, but it is so crucial to this Dolphins team that Hill and Waddle are playing well. Few offenses in the league can match Miami's firepower when they are. Hill has quietly caught a touchdown pass in four of his last five games.
Resilience and Digging Deep
The single most important thing from this game is that the Dolphins did not quit in the face of adversity. The Jets kept moving the ball at will, and things looked grim at 23-15. A crucial moment in the game came at 4th and Goal from the four, when Tua found Hill in the end zone to make it 23-21, then converted the two-point conversion to Waddle.
The Jets drove down the field, and Anders Carlson knocked in a 42-yard field goal to make it 26-23 with 52 seconds remaining. A terrific kick return from Malik Washington gave the Dolphins excellent field position. They weren't out of the woods yet, as they still had to get into field goal range with no timeouts left. They managed to get into range for a 52-yard Jason Sanders field goal, which was a bit nervy considering his inconsistencies from 50+ yards.
Overtime was short and sweet. Jonnu Smith didn't catch a pass during regulation but saw three crucial ones in overtime. Two identical screen passes for first downs and the final touchdown catch to ice the game. It was a strong showing from the time in a do-or-die situation; more of that is needed going forward.
Bet Recap from Preview
It looked terrible for a while, but the Dolphins covered -5.5 by the skin of their teeth. This line closed at -6 on many markets, so hopefully, you snagged it at -5.5 as I did. The Dolphins have now covered in their last three home games.
Up Next: Houston Texans
It's an important game for both teams in Houston next. The Texans are coming off a bye week, but they could potentially fall into danger of losing the division lead, depending on how the Colts do. For the Dolphins, they probably have to win out to make the playoffs.
Final Score: Dolphins 32, Jets 26
Souza's Three Stars
1st Star- Tua Tagovailoa (331 yards, 2 TDs)
2nd Star- Tyreek Hill (10 receptions, 115 yards, 1 TD)
3rd Star- Jordyn Brooks (9 tackles, 1 sack, 1 PD, 91.5 PFF grade)
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