Well, so much for “getting back on track.”
The New York Jets came into Sunday facing a winless Miami Dolphins team at home, with a chance to improve to 3-4 and set up a shot at .500 with a win next week.
That didn’t occur, though, as the Jets gave Miami their first win of the season, falling 28-25 in an incredibly infuriating clash.
The Jets’ defense got off to a start as bad as you could imagine. Miami marched 76 yards downfield on their opening drive with no incomplete passes before a seven-yard touchdown to rookie wide receiver Caleb Douglas gave them a 7-0 start and their first lead of the 2026 season. Yes, their first lead of the year.
Gang Green’s offense responded, though. On their first play, Geno Smith and Omar Cooper Jr. connected for a huge 52-yard catch-and-run on play action before Mason Taylor capped off the drive with a beautiful contested 13-yard TD reception, knotting the game up at seven.
The offensive battle continued, though, as the Dolphins struck back with a second TD to take a 14-7 lead when Willis completed six of his first eight passes (75%) for 84 yards. After converting a fourth-and-short near the goal line, Ollie Gordon finished the drive off with a one-yard touchdown run.
The Jets looked like they would keep that momentum going with a strong drive, converting two third downs while entering Miami territory. However, a bad Smith interception as he tried to force a pass to Taylor through multiple defensive backs gave the Dolphins an extra possession while still holding the lead.
Luckily for New York, their defense got their first stop of the day, and the offense got the ball back, still trailing by seven.
After punting, however, the Dolphins built on their lead with a methodical drive before a Willis rushing TD gave them a 21-7 lead heading into halftime.
Coming out of halftime, it didn’t get much better. A 27-yard Braelon Allen run got the Jets going, and New York crossed midfield before failing to convert on third down. Trailing 21-7, they brought out Jason Sanders for a 40-yard field goal attempt, which he doinked off the right upright.
After a defensive stand, though, the Jets’ offense answered. A six-play, 73-yard drive cut the deficit to 21-14. The drive was highlighted by yet another deep bomb from Smith to Cooper for 60 yards, before the pair connected again for a three-yard TD.
The Jets kept the battle going. On defense, preseason star Nate Lynn came up with a huge third-down sack to force a Dolphins punt, and the Jets’ offense started once again with an explosive run from Allen.
The unit continued to move the ball, but yet again struggled to finish near the goal line. Despite facing first-and-goal from the one, the Jets got stuffed on three straight plays, including a Smith sack on third down, to force a field goal. Yet again, they struggled to finish near the goal line and squandered an opportunity to tie the game, as a field goal instead made the score 21-17.
New York’s defense forced another three-and-out, giving the offense another chance to break through with just over six minutes left. But the offense couldn’t take advantage, going three-and-out themselves.
Then it looked like the Dolphins put the game away on the ensuing possession as Willis connected with Douglas for their second TD of the day on a 63-yard catch-and-run, giving Miami a 27-17 lead with 4:44 left in the game.
The Jets weren’t dead, though. The offense came marching down the field, and Smith and Taylor connected for another contested touchdown before their two-point conversion attempt was also successful.
It set up a 28-25 game with 3:24 left.
After getting stops on the first three plays, though, the Jets’ defense allowed Willis to convert on a fourth-and-short QB sneak to end the game.
The frustrating part is that the Jets actually had their chances in this one. The offense had several explosive plays, but they still struggled to finish in the red zone. Also, missing a field goal in the third quarter was pivotal to the final outcome.
Now sitting at 2-5 after handing a division rival their first win of the season, the Jets are in a brutal situation.
