Dolphins’ offense will get getting in MNF win over Jets, however loses Tyreek Hill

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — In case you’re unfamiliar with the time period Pyrrhic victory, the Miami Dolphins‘ 27-21 win Monday night time over the New York Jets ought to enable you to perceive.

Positive, the Dolphins earned their first win of the season, saving them from shedding three division video games earlier than the tip of September, however they misplaced star broad receiver Tyreek Hill within the course of.

Hill suffered what the workforce fears is a dislocated left knee early within the third quarter and was rapidly carted off the sphere and brought to a neighborhood hospital for additional analysis. It is a surprising harm to one in all Miami’s most sturdy gamers — not simply due to its grotesque nature however due to his significance to this workforce’s offense.

Solely Justin Jefferson has extra receiving yards than Hill since 2022, and solely Malik Nabers, A.J. Brown and Davante Adams have commanded a better share of his workforce’s targets.

The Dolphins overcame one problem Monday night time in breaking a winless streak that prolonged to the 2024 season. The Fins now face new challenges as they put together for all times with out Hill.

Miami Dolphins

Turning Level: The Dolphins have not performed with out Tyreek Hill a lot since buying and selling for him in 2022; he missed only one recreation in his first three seasons with the workforce. However that quantity will improve considerably after Hill’s knee harm Monday. Miami responded with consecutive scoring drives, nevertheless, offering a glimmer of hope for an offense constructed round its greatest participant.

Most shocking efficiency: In case you had Darren Waller catching two landing passes in his first recreation motion since January 2024, you would possibly need to look into shopping for a lottery ticket. Waller was a commanding presence within the crimson zone, high-pointing Tua Tagovailoa‘s first landing cross of the night time and toe-tapping behind the tip zone to finish the catch. Waller additionally reeled in a 9-yard scoring cross wherein he created almost 4 yards of separation, in keeping with NextGen Stats. With Hill anticipated to overlook the rest of the season, Waller’s debut suggests he is able to play a significant position in Miami’s offense.

Development to look at: The Dolphins did not include Justin Fields the final time he performed them, when he rushed for 178 yards as a member of the Chicago Bears in 2022. He spearheaded a dominant Jets run recreation Monday night time, speeding for 81 of the workforce’s 197 yards on the bottom — together with a highlight-worthy 43-yard landing carry within the third quarter. Monday’s recreation represented a season excessive in speeding yards allowed by a Dolphins workforce that has given up at the very least 120 speeding yards in all 4 video games this season — and greater than 150 yards in three of them.

Subsequent recreation: at Carolina Panthers (1 p.m. ET, Oct. 5)

New York Jets

There was no sideline dancing for coach Aaron Glenn this week. He wore a clean expression for a lot of the sport, because the Jets resembled a sizzling mess in a sloppy, mistake-filled loss.

The sobering actuality for Glenn: He joins Adam Gase and Lou Holtz as the one coaches to begin their Jets profession with 4 straight losses. If you understand something concerning the Jets’ historical past, you understand that speaks volumes: No coach has began 0-5.

Nobody anticipated Glenn to be a miracle employee, however that is troubling as a result of the workforce is trending within the flawed course. Going through beforehand winless Miami, the Jets dedicated three turnovers and 12 penalties for 101 yards, together with six pre-snap flags on the offense.

The Jets have been one-dimensional on offense and have been ceaselessly out of place on protection. They’re getting worse, not higher. They usually misplaced operating again Braelon Allen to a possible severe knee harm.

Development to look at: The Jets trailed at halftime 10-3. So, what else is new? Over the previous three video games, they have been outscored within the first half 50-12. It is onerous for any workforce to dwell in that world, not to mention a Jets workforce that is not geared up to play quick-strike catch-up. This time, they have been fortunate to be down by just one rating.

Stat to know: The Jets misplaced three fumbles in a recreation for the primary time since 2023. Ball-security drills, anybody? The miscues led to 14 factors for Miami. This was mind-boggling, contemplating the Dolphins started the sport with no takeaways this season. The culprits have been Allen, Justin Fields and kickoff returner Isaiah Williams. The Jets have misplaced two fumbles on kickoff returns this season, greater than the remainder of the league mixed. The final return man, Xavier Gipson, received reduce. Williams ought to be sweating.

What to make of the quarterback efficiency: Fields supplied the Jets’ solely spotlight: a 43-yard scramble for a landing. It was superb. The truth is, he lined 86.5 yards, per Subsequent Gen Stats, providing a full show of his exceptional operating expertise. Sadly for the Jets, he had extra speeding yards via three quarters (73) than passing yards (65). You may win that means in highschool, not the NFL.

Greatest gap within the recreation plan: Vast receiver Garrett Wilson was an afterthought with solely three catches for 37 yards via three quarters. He drew additional protection, which was anticipated, however offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand has to do a greater job of scheming methods to get him the ball.

Subsequent recreation: vs. Dallas Cowboys (1 p.m. ET, Oct. 5)