Dolphins seasons ends unceremoniously as team falls to Jets 32-20.
That’s all, folks.
With a whimper, the Miami Dolphins 2024 season ended on Sunday as they fell to Aaron Rodgers, Davante Adams, Breece Hall and the New York Jets by a score of 32-20 on the road.
The slim hope that was left alive for the South Florida squad to somehow sneak into the NFL Playoffs was quickly dashed as the bright lights of the MetLife Stadium scoreboard showed the Denver Broncos trouncing the Kansas City Chiefs’ second stringers from the jump — a result that needed to be flipped even if Miami were to have found a way to win on Sunday.
Still, the team’s performance wasn’t good enough against New York. In reality, it wasn’t good enough all year. Maybe we should all feel a bit relieved that the Dolphins didn’t make the playoffs, as a trip to Western New York to play the Buffalo Bills in freezing cold temperatures would have been the prize if Miami had won on Sunday and the Broncos had lost. To make matters worse, reports came in on Sunday morning that Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa would have had a hard time suiting up for the hypothetical playoff game as he continues to suffer with a hip injury. Would you have felt optimistic in that situation? I wouldn’t have.
Soon enough, we’ll turn our attention to the offseaon. Will general manager Chris Grier and head coach Mike McDaniel be able to right the ship moving forward? Will star wide receiver Tyreek Hill remain in aqua and orange next year after his eyebrow raising comments following the game? What about Bradley Chubb? Jevon Holland?
We have an entire offseason to answer those pressing questions and more, but for right now, we’ll take a look back at the good, bad and ugly from Sunday’s 32-20 loss to the New York Jets.
GOOD
De’Von Achane continues to shine as Miami’s most electric weapon in 2024
After an exciting rookie season, Dolphins fans wondered if a classic sophomore slump would follow for running back De’Von Achane.
That question was answered with a resounding “no,” as Achane elevated his game to another level — taking over as Miami’s lead back and shining bright all year long like the emerging star he is.
On Sunday against the Jets, while the rest of the team floundered, Achane put up 121 yards rushing on 11 attempts, while scoring a rushing touchdown. It was his highest rushing total for a single game all year.
For the season, Achane finished with 907 yards rushing and 6 touchdowns, while adding an impressive 78 receptions for 592 receiving yards and 6 scores.
While the team will surely change around him, Dolphins fans can rest assured that Achane will continue to be a surefire spark for Miami’s offense during the 2025 NFL season and beyond.
BAD
Tyler Huntley follows impressive game against Browns with miserable dud against Jets
Last week, many people (including myself) looked at backup quarterback Tyler Huntley’s positive performance against a tanking Cleveland Browns team as a sign that the man nicknamed Snoop could possibly be a quality second-string quarterback for the Dolphins in 2025.
Well, if his game against the Browns instilled confidence, his performance against the New York Jets in Week 18 has everyone feeling like Snoop’s opportunity to back-up Tua Tagovailoa has gone up in smoke.
Against the Jets, Huntley played like the former practice squad quarterback he was at the beginning of the year for the Baltimore Ravens. He finished Sunday’s contest with just 25 completions on 41 attempts, for 227 yards and one touchdown. He also had two interceptions and a whopping four fumbles (one lost).
Huntley couldn’t get the job done on Sunday, and that may have cost him a job with the Dolphins for the 2025 season.
UGLY
Miami Dolphins face uncertain future after disappointing 8-9 season; Tyreek Hill quits on team
With a win against the Jets on Sunday, the Dolphins would have finished with a winning record for a fifth consecutive season — a feat that not many NFL franchises could boast about.
Instead, the team fell flat on their faces, losing by double digits to a previously four-win squad.
The Dolphins remain a flawed franchise, and owner Stephen Ross has decided to keep his general manager and head coach at the helm of a sinking ship. Will that decision prove to be a fatal one for Miami?
To make matters worse, wide receiver Tyreek Hill seemed to have quit on his team by exiting the game after realizing the Broncos were going to beat his former squad, the Kansas City Chiefs, which eliminated the Dolphins from playoff contention regardless of the outcome of their game against the Jets.
Following the loss, Hill expressed his frustrations with the Dolphins and his desire to leave the organization to a group of reporters in the locker room:
Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill basically said he wanted out of the Dolphins organization after the game. pic.twitter.com/gIiMv7Edaf
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) January 6, 2025
With many questions looming, one thing is for certain — fans of the Miami Dolphins deserve better than 24 consecutive seasons without a playoff victory. They deserve better than just 5 playoff appearances since that last playoff victory. They deserve better than just one AFC East division title in that 24 season span (2008). When will they get what they deserve?
___
The Dolphins’ 2024 season ended in East Rutherford, New Jersey on Sunday with a 32-20 loss to the New York Jets. There will be no playoff appearance. There will be no winning record. What changes would you like to see made ahead of the 2025 NFL season? Let me know in the comments below or on Twitter at @MBrave13. Fins up!
