Miami pounded the hated Jets, 24-0, all but ending Adam Gase's failed tenure in New York, where he remains coach in name only after a similar stint with the 'Fins. While the big news surrounding Miami would arrive a couple of days later, it's important to remember that this evened the Dolphins record at .500 (3-3) headed into an all-important bye week, with Miami having emerged as a factor in the AFC after two victories by a combined 67-17 total.
Offense
- Ryan Fitzpatrick's numbers were ho-hum in this game, with the grizzled vet hitting 18 of 27 passes for 191 yards and three scores. However, he held onto the ball longer than normal, threw two interceptions, and had a couple more dropped by the Jets. This was a game Miami should have won by 40 points, and Fitz was one of the reasons that didn't happen. The abysmal performance on third-down conversions (0-8) while he was in falls largely on his lap as well.
- The big news was Tua Tagvailoa (finally) getting some reps at the end, connecting on both of his passes for 9 yards and a third-down conversion.
- Myles Gaskin put together his best game, rushing for 91 yards on 18 carries and adding 35 yards on four receptions for good measure. Matt Breida had a hard time finding open space, tallying 22 yards on eight touches, while Lynn Bowden, Jr., and Jordan Howard weren't part of the plan.
- DeVante Parker had a quiet game (three grabs, 35 yards) and Isaiah Ford was surprisingly held without a catch. Jakeem Grant (four receptions and 48 yards) stepped up, but Preston Williams (two grabs, 18 yards) was also quiet, despite a short touchdown that saw him run a great route.
- The tight ends were big factors -- though not the one we've come to expect. Adam Shaheen reeled in another score and also contributed a 43-yard catch and run that he probably should have converted into another touchdown. His 51 receiving yards led the team, while fellow tight end Durham Smythe scored his first career touchdown on a four-yard grab. Somewhat shockingly, Mike Gesicki was held without a reception.
- The offensive line struggled to hold up in this one, with the Jets defensive front collapsing the pocket and getting into passing lanes. On the plus side, a few counter plays led to some nice gains in the run game with Gaskin.
Defense
- The Dolphins are starting to turn the corner from a pass-rush standpoint. End Emmanuel Ogbah gets better every week, and he was near-dominant in this one, collecting two sacks and four hits on the quarterback to go with his five tackles. Christian Wilkins was active as well, with five tackles, a sack, two batted passes, and a hit on the signal-caller.
- On the interior, Zach Sieler continues his strong play, recording three tackles, including one for a loss, plus a hit on the quarterback.
- Any time your defense posts a shutout in an NFL game, your linebackers have played well, and that was the case here. Jerome Baker (six tackles) and Elandon Roberts (three tackles, tackle for loss, QB hit) were solid on the inside, but Sam Eguavoen gave the unit a real lift (two tackles, a batted pass, and a handful of pressures) for the first time this year. Developing Andrew Van Ginkel suffered an injury, but did post two tackles and was active off the edge.
- Safeties Eric Rowe (nine tackles) and Bobby McCain (four stops, pass breakup, QB hit, but a continued propensity for celebrating tackles 11 yards down the field) were always around the ball, and versatile Nik Needham (seven tackles) had one of his better games. Rookie Brandon Jones (three tackles, one stop for a loss) is improving rapidly, making a huge third-down stop in this one and breaking up a pass that should have been a pick-six.
- Byron Jones settled into an efficient day at one corner after a rocky start that saw him get beat deep twice on New York's first drive. Xavien Howard is in full "X" mode, making a pick for the fourth straight game and nearly reeling in a second.
Special Teams
- Kicker Jason Sanders was (fortunately) not needed much in this one, but stayed perfect with a 24-yard field goal and all three extra points. He also continued to be a weapon on kickoffs, at one point helping to pin the Jets inside their own 10-yard line on a kickoff.
- Matt Haack had a nice performance in the punting phase, pinning New York inside the 20-yard line on five of his seven punts.
- Jakeem Grant had his best return day, piling up 106 yards on seven kickoff and punt returns. His 30-yard punt return saw him reverse field nicely, and he nearly broke another punt return -- a good sign for his long-term prospects to hold down this role.
Momentum Plays
- The first scoring drive was all about Gaskin, who racked up 47 yards on five touches to set up Shaheen's easy score.
- A mysterious (and late) illegal contact call on Van Ginkel converted a third-and-12 for the Jets on the next drive, but a snap that Joe Flacco wasn't expecting was a very Jets third-down play that both ended a drive and pushed the team out of field goal range.
- Taking advantage of a poor New York punt and a facemask call on the same play, Miami mixed the run and pass beautifully on the next drive, with Fitz hitting Williams for the 14-0 lead.
- The Dolphins had two more drives start in New York territory, but somehow managed to get zero points out of either.
- Grant's 30-yard punt return set up Miami later, and after Shaheen's 43-yard catch and rumble, Smythe was wide open for the 21-0 advantage.
- Fitz took two late hits on the same play just before the half, the second of which could have easily led to an ejection. A few plays later, Fitz threw a brutal red zone pick with 22 seconds left, taking potential points off the board.
- The second half was mostly a wasteland of punts, but a solid Miami drive in the third quarter put the team facing a 3rd-and-1 from the 7-yard line. Instead of running, Fitz rifled a pass high for Smythe in the end zone, forcing a short Sanders field goal for the 24-0 margin.
Miami 24, New York Jets 0 (3-3)
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