Miami Dolphins take down New York Jets in magical comeback fashion.
What a day it was in Miami Gardens on Sunday when the Miami Dolphins outlasted the New York Jets, defeating their visiting division rivals by a score of 32-26 in overtime!
The Jets took a three point lead with less than a minute to play after settling for a 42-yard field goal after driving the length of the field against the Dolphins defense. Just when all hope looked lost, Miami’s rookie kick returner, Malik Washington, took the ensuing kickoff, weaved in and out of New York’s special teams unit, trucked kicker Anders Carlson, before being tackled near midfield.
The electric return allowed Miami’s offense to maneuver into field goal position themselves, and Jason Sanders’ clutch 52-yard boot sent the tightly contested game into overtime.
The Dolphins won the coin toss, and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa immediately marched his squad down the field, before calling “game” with a 10-yard scoring dart to tight end Jonnu Smith to send the stinkin’ Jets back north with tears in their eyes.
While it was a frustrating game for most of the afternoon, the good guys in aqua and orange came out on top, keeping their slim playoff hopes alive for another week. Now, lets take a look back at the good, bad and ugly from Miami’s thrilling overtime victory.
GOOD
Dolphins patchwork offensive line doesn’t allow sack against stout Jets front
With Miami’s starting left tackle Terron Armstead being held together by popsicle sticks and prayers, starting right tackle Austin Jackson on the shelf due to a knee injury, and both starting guards playing shaky ball at times, Dolphins fans found themselves feeling a bit queasy when Armstead left the game during Miami’s first offensive possession on Sunday.
Would the team’s offensive line be able to hold up against a solid Jets defensive front?
The group answered that question with a resounding “yes,” keeping their quarterback’s white jersey clean all afternoon — not allowing a single sack, nor a single quarterback hit on 47 passing attempts. In fact, the only time Tagovailoa was touched was on a roughing the passer call on Jets defensive lineman Quinnen Williams.
I’ll admit that I wasn’t a fan of the Patrick Paul selection in this year’s NFL Draft, however the rookie left tackle had himself a stellar showing in his first bit of extensive action as a professional. If his play today was indicative of how he’ll continue to play moving forward, the Dolphins got themselves a steal in the second round back in April.
BAD
Dolphins defense continues to miss tackles at an alarming rate
The New York Jets have talented players on offense despite their 3-9 record heading into Sunday’s contest. The Miami Dolphins made those players look like world beaters by continuing their unnerving trend of missing tackles on defense in bunches.
The Jets took their first lead of the day in the second quarter on an Isaiah Davis 17-yard touchdown scamper that saw multiple Dolphins defenders whiff on tackle attempts.
The team continued to struggle bringing New York skill position players to the ground throughout the rest of the game, and actually made a 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers look like a spry whippersnapper while breaking a few takedown attempts himself.
After missing 20+ tackles against the Green Bay Packers in the frigid temps of Lambeau Field on Thanksgiving night, fans were not happy to see the same issues pop up again when playing in sunny South Florida. Miami will need to get their defensive fundamentals back up to snuff if they want to continue to keep their razor thin playoff chances alive against a very talented Houston Texans offense this upcoming weekend.
UGLY
Dolphins allow Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers to throw for 300+ yards for the first time in last 35 games
As mentioned above, Aaron Rodgers is a 41-year-old man. However, at one time in his Hall-of-Fame career, he was one of the most feared passers in the National Football League. Those days have come and gone, with the gray-haired former gunslinger averaging just 221 yards passing per game this season.
On Sunday, Miami allowed Rodgers to turn back the clock — passing for 339 yards against a defense that had nearly a full complement of starting defensive backs at their disposal.
It was the first time in 35 (THIRTY-FIVE!) games that Rodgers had topped the 300-yard mark. Of course he had to break that dubious streak against Miami, right?
The Dolphins have the oldest defensive unit in the NFL, and as the season rolls on, you can see just how tired those ancient knees are feeling. The senior members of Anthony Weaver’s group will need to dig deep if they want to finish the season strong, because they can’t count on offensive magic each week to bail them out.
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The Dolphins pulled off the comeback against a team that many predicted they would handle rather easily. But, as always, a win is a win and it was good to get back on the right side of the final scoreboard. Do you think the defense can figure things out before a pivotal matchup in Houston this weekend? Let me know in the comments below or on Twitter at @MBrave13. Fins up!
