After an electrifying game that took overtime to settle, the Miami Dolphins emerged victorious, but it wasn’t a resounding triumph by any means. Facing a New York Jets squad that hadn’t snagged a victory since Halloween, the Dolphins had an opportunity for a decisive win.
Yet, in true divisional rivalry fashion, the Jets put up a fierce fight, reminding Miami that you can never underestimate a familiar foe. In a telling moment, the Dolphins’ special teams delivered when it counted, with Malik Washington tearing up the field on a 48-yard kickoff return that set the stage for Jason Sanders to nail a 52-yard field goal, tying the game with mere seconds left on the clock.
Eventually, Miami closed the chapter on this nail-biter in overtime, snuffing out the Jets’ playoff dreams, but the Dolphins should be thankful they’re still in the postseason conversation after this gritty contest.
As we break down the key takeaways, let’s dive into the winners and losers from this pivotal Dolphins win.
Winner: Jonnu Smith
Jonnu Smith was Miami’s unexpected hero in overtime. While he might have been invisible on the stat sheet during regulation, his presence was undeniable when the contest was on the line.
The Dolphins’ overtime drive turned into the Jonnu Smith show, as he snagged three critical catches for 44 yards and capped the drive with a game-winning touchdown. When Coach Mike McDaniel called his number at crunch time, Smith answered emphatically, bringing the physicality that Miami desperately needed.
Loser: Jevon Holland
Jevon Holland’s struggles continued, making him a notable concern for the Dolphins’ defense. His performance was riddled with issues: missed tackles, poor positioning in coverage, and a critical dropped interception that the Jets turned into points on the board. In a contract year, Holland is fighting an uphill battle to prove he deserves a future with Miami.
Winner: Jason Sanders
Jason Sanders was Miami’s redemption story. Despite an initial missed extra point that could have skewed the game towards the Jets, Sanders regrouped and showed why he was the AFC Special Teams Player of the Month. His clutch performance included hitting three field goals, two of which were bombs from beyond the 50-yard line, with one crucial kick taking the game into overtime.
Loser: Dolphins’ Defense
Aside from a strong showing from the defensive line, Miami’s defense struggled to contain the Jets. Anthony Weaver’s squad was plagued by poor tackling, a haunting theme carried over from their Thanksgiving matchup against the Packers.
New York’s offense, led by Aaron Rodgers, exploited the Dolphins’ defensive lapses, with Rodgers recording his first 300-yard passing game in nearly three years. Even without star running back Breece Hall, the Jets found ways to pressure the Dolphins’ defense, which will need to regroup quickly if it hopes to hold up in future games.
Winners: Calais Campbell and Zach Sieler
Calais Campbell and Zach Sieler emerged as defensive standouts when Miami needed them most. Their combined efforts on a crucial sack of Aaron Rodgers helped push the Jets out of a potentially game-altering field goal position. This duo was the silver lining in an otherwise challenging day for the Dolphins’ defense.
Losers: Mike McDaniel and Anthony Weaver
The game plan from Mike McDaniel and Anthony Weaver left much to be desired. Despite a promising start, Miami’s offense hit a plateau, hampered by questionable play-calling and an inability to convert short-yardage situations.
McDaniel’s reluctance to utilize the more physical Jeff Wilson in tight spots raised eyebrows, and overall, the team’s lack of discipline and toughness remains an ongoing issue. However, Tua Tagovailoa is an unquestionable bright spot.
He showed leadership and poise, completing 33 of 47 passes for 331 yards and racking up two touchdowns without turning the ball over, ending with a solid 104.1 quarterback rating.
In the end, the Dolphins are still afloat in the playoff hunt, but the win highlights the areas demanding attention if they hope to make any noise moving forward. The potential is there, but Miami must tighten up in key areas as the postseason looms large.