The Miami Dolphins won the battle of the winless teams.
Miami finally shook off their early-season woes, battling to a 27‑21 win over the now 0-4 New York Jets on Monday night in Miami Gardens.
But it was not without drama. Tyreek Hill exited in the third quarter with a serious, season-ending injury and the Dolphins leaned on some unexpected heroes to seal the deal.
Here is how they got it done.
Commanding the script: Offense finds its rhythm
Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa played a composed, mistake-free game, throwing two touchdown passes to Darren Waller and avoiding turnovers.
His connection with Waller – fresh off a return to action – proved especially valuable in the red zone. The play calling was crisp, mixing the run and pass effectively and allowing Tua to use his incredible ball-handling skills.
Miami also leaned into the run. De’Von Achane punched in a rushing touchdown and piled up 99 yards on the ground, giving Miami a balanced attack that forced New York to defend more honestly.
The early stages went in Miami’s favour. After an opening-drive field goal, they followed up with a 96‑yard touchdown drive and never relinquished control of the scoreboard.
Even when Hill departed, the offense adjusted, with Waller and Achane stepping into the gap.
Defensive backbone and turnovers: Miami grabs the edges
On defense, Jordyn Brooks was a tackling beast, recording 18 stops and making his presence felt all over the field. After struggling badly in the first three games, he played one of his best games as a Dolphin.
Miami capitalised on Jets miscues, forcing multiple turnovers that swung momentum.
One pivotal moment came when cornerback Jack Jones stripped the ball from Braelon Allen near the goal line, and Minkah Fitzpatrick recovered. That sequence stifled a New York scoring chance and kept Miami’s early grip intact.
The Jets’ offense, led by Justin Fields – 226 passing yards, 81 rushing yards, a touchdown through the air and another on the ground – produced flashes but could not close the gap when it mattered most. Miami’s defense bent but did not break.
The turning points and how Miami sealed it
-
The injury to Tyreek Hill was a significant blow. He finished with six catches for 67 yards before being carted off with what we now know is a season-ending knee injury. It is clearly a shame that his last play as a Dolphin ended in such an horrific injury.
-
New York made a late push with a touchdown, a successful two‑point conversion and an onside kick attempt. But Miami’s situational defense and timely responses squashed the rally.
-
Penalties and turnovers bedevilled the Jets, with 13 flags and three turnovers costing them dearly in a tight contest.
Final take and looking forward
This win is more than just one W in the column. It is a confidence booster in a season so far marked by frustration.
Miami proved it could win a tight game. Tagovailoa stayed focused, Brooks anchored the defense and Achane kept the engine running on the ground.
However, the cost is steep. Losing Hill for the season forces the Dolphins to rework their passing offense around Waddle, Waller, Washington and whoever else emerges.
And while the defense made some key plays, they are still vulnerable to pressure on third down.
For now, ‘Phin Nation’ can savour a long‑overdue triumph. But the real test is whether Miami can build off this and show it was not just a one‑night fluke.
Miami travel to the Carolina Panthers in Week 5, perhaps with a renewed sense of optimism, but knowing that replacing Tyreek Hill will take all of Mike McDaniel’s offensive genius.
