EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The Miami Dolphins earned their first victory of the season Sunday, defeating the New York Jets 28-25 at MetLife Stadium behind three total touchdowns from quarterback Malik Willis and a critical fourth-quarter goal-line stand.
The win lifted Miami to 1-5 and handed Jeff Hafley the first victory of his NFL head coaching career, coming roughly 17 miles from his hometown of Montvale, New Jersey. Entering Week 7, Miami was one of two winless clubs in the league and the only team that had failed to hold a lead at any point this season. With Miami’s triumph and an idle week for the Los Angeles Chargers, the Chargers remain the league’s lone winless franchise, The Palm Beach Post reported.
Offensive surge sparks early control
Miami set the tone on the opening drive by marching 76 yards, capped by a seven-yard scoring pass from Willis to rookie wide receiver Caleb Douglas. Douglas, playing in his first contest since suffering an ankle injury in Week 2, caught both passes thrown his way Sunday for touchdowns totaling 70 yards.
After the Jets (2-5) tied the score on a touchdown pass from Geno Smith to tight end Mason Taylor, the Dolphins regained control late in the first quarter. Running back Ollie Gordon II converted a fourth down with a one-yard touchdown plunge, putting Miami ahead 14-7. Gordon anchored the ground game throughout the afternoon, carrying the ball 25 times for a career-high 103 yards.
Miami expanded its advantage just before halftime when Willis scrambled into the end zone on a two-yard run, sending the Dolphins into the locker room with a 21-7 advantage. Willis delivered his sharpest outing of the campaign, completing 14 of 21 passes for 208 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions, alongside 37 yards on the ground.
“The offense did a great job in every one of their possessions,” Hafley told CBS at halftime. “Malik is using his legs, he’s throwing the ball well.”
Goal-line stand seals momentum
The Jets cut the deficit to 21-14 in the third quarter when Smith found Omar Cooper Jr. for a score. Early in the fourth quarter, New York seemed poised to tie the contest after advancing to Miami’s 1-yard line. However, the Dolphins mounted their stiffest defensive sequence of the season.
Defensive lineman Zach Sieler tackled tight end Andrew Beck for a one-yard loss on first down, followed by edge rusher Josh Uche stopping running back Braelon Allen for another one-yard loss. On third-and-goal, edge rusher Chop Robinson tracked down Smith for a 12-yard sack, forcing New York to settle for a 33-yard field goal that left Miami ahead 21-17.
Miami capitalized on the momentum change moments later. Willis hit Douglas on a short throw that the rookie turned into a 63-yard touchdown sprint along the sideline with 4:44 remaining. New York narrowed the deficit to 28-25 on a second touchdown catch and two-point conversion by Taylor with 3:24 left, but the Dolphins iced the contest when Willis converted a fourth-and-1 sneak near midfield after the two-minute warning.
Miami returns home to face the New England Patriots on Nov. 1, while the Jets remain home to host the Las Vegas Raiders.
