Dolphins hold off Jets 28-25 for Jeff Hafley's first win as Malik Willis accounts for three touchdowns

Final: Dolphins 28, Jets 25. The Miami Dolphins won for the first time this season on Sunday, Oct. 25, holding off a late New York Jets rally at MetLife Stadium. It was also the first NFL head coaching win for Jeff Hafley, who grew up about 20 minutes away in Montvale, New Jersey, according to The Associated Press.

Miami improved to 1-5 and avoided its first 0-6 start since 2019, AP reported. The Jets fell to 2-5.

Fourth-and-1 seals it

After the Jets cut the lead to 28-25 with 3:24 left, Miami faced fourth-and-1 at the Jets’ 49 at the two-minute warning. Hafley passed on the punt. He said he asked his offensive linemen what they thought first.

“When I saw the look in their eyes, I was very confident that we’d get it,” Hafley said, according to AP.

Quarterback Malik Willis pushed up the middle for 2 yards, and Miami ran out the clock.

“He trusted us,” Willis said, “and we trusted him.”

Hafley was doused by his players in a jubilant locker room afterward. “My socks are wet,” he said.

Malik Willis and Caleb Douglas

Willis went 14 of 21 for 208 yards and two touchdowns and ran eight times for 37 yards and a score. Both touchdown passes went to rookie wide receiver Caleb Douglas:

• A 7-yard score on the opening drive, Douglas’ first NFL touchdown, according to the Dolphins. AP said it gave Miami its first lead in any game this season.
• A 63-yard catch-and-run down the sideline that made it 28-17 in the fourth quarter.

Running back Ollie Gordon II ran 25 times for 103 yards and a 1-yard touchdown. Tight end Greg Dulcich led Miami with five catches for 86 yards.

Michael Taaffe’s interception and the Miami defense

With the Jets driving at the Miami 21 in the first half, safety Michael Taaffe intercepted Geno Smith. Miami led 21-7 at halftime after Willis scored on a 2-yard scramble with 6 seconds left in the half. According to the Dolphins, the defense held New York to 28 rushing yards and 86 passing yards in the first half.

The defense came up big again in the fourth quarter. The Jets had first-and-goal, but Zach Sieler and Josh Uche made back-to-back tackles for loss, and Chop Robinson added a 12-yard sack. New York had to settle for a 33-yard field goal.

The Jets’ comeback attempt

Geno Smith finished 23 of 30 for 287 yards with three touchdowns and an interception, according to AP. Two of the touchdowns went to tight end Mason Taylor, son of Dolphins Hall of Famer Jason Taylor. Omar Cooper Jr. had a 60-yard catch and a 3-yard touchdown, and Braelon Allen ran for 104 yards.

On the late scoring drive, Smith hit Isaiah Davis for 41 yards on fourth-and-4 and then found Taylor for a 12-yard touchdown. AP reported that penalties wiped out New York’s first two 2-point tries before Smith connected with Taylor to make it 28-25.

Jason Sanders, a longtime Dolphins kicker now with the Jets, hit the right upright on a 40-yard attempt in the third quarter.

The Jets are now 0-8 against AFC East opponents under coach Aaron Glenn, AP said.

“Disappointed in myself, first and foremost,” Glenn said.

Injuries and next week

• Dolphins: RB Jaylen Wright (quadriceps) and S Dante Trader Jr. (left shoulder) were hurt. CB JuJu Brents had a stinger but returned.
• Jets: DT T’Vondre Sweat left with a knee injury and didn’t return.

Miami hosts New England next Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET, and the Jets host Las Vegas.

FAQ