The Phinsider
The Miami Dolphins opened their Week 14 game against the New York Jets with three-straight touchdown drives. The Miami defense came to play on the day, dominating from the opening kick through to the end of the contest – New York’s only touchdown came on a punt return. The Dolphins smacked around their AFC East rivals all game.
The game was not perfect for Miami, who struggled to find an offensive rhythm during for much of the middle 30 minutes of the contest, but they dominated a bad team on Sunday and kept themselves alive in the AFC playoff picture.
Running back De’Von Achane’s injury will be the major storyline after the game, with a ribs injury limiting him to just seven carries – albeit for 92 yards – in the game. He spent most of the afternoon on the sideline in a parka.
Below you will find our full-game recap of all the action. Reactions are in italics.
Dolphins 34 – 10 Jets
The Dolphins won the coin toss and elected to receive the opening kick. Four plays later, they were in the endzone for the opening score of the game. A beautifully designed counter end-around run from wide receiver Jaylen Waddle picked up 21 yards on the second play of the drive, then running back De’Von Achane powered through the middle of the line to gain 39 yards. Miami capped the 69-yard drive with a three-yard pass from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to Waddle for the score.
Miami came out looking to establish the run game early, and they were effective. Achane was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Month for November and is already looking to back it up in December. That is the start the Dolphins need in a game that they have to and should win.
Dolphins 7-0.
The Jets’ first drive featured an incomplete pass when quarterback Tyrod Taylor was forced to throw away the ball to avoid a sack, a three-yard run from running back Breece Hall, and an incomplete pass with Miami cornerback Rasul Douglas making a great pass breakup. The defense gave New York nothing, and they forced the three-and-out punt.
After stopping the Jets with less than a minute of time of possession coming off the clock, Miami went back to their big-play attack on New York. The Dolphins opened with a 23-yard pass from Tagovailoa to tight end Greg Dulcich. Two plays later, Tagovailoa threw to tight end Darren Waller for 13 yards, then to Waddle for 24 yards. On 1st-and-10, Achane found a lane to the offense’s left and made his way into the endzone.
The Miami offense is hitting through the air and on the ground right now, which makes this offense scary. If they can keep this up, it will be a long day for the Jets....
