How Miami Can Use Strong Second Half at Jets to Prepare for Carolina

The Miami Dolphins notched up another win against the New York Jets on Sunday behind strong play from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, taking the first of two meetings this season, 24-17 in their MetLife Takeover. 

Tua and the Offensive Battle

After a dead first half, the Dolphins came alive and pulled away from the Jets.

Tagovailoa went 27-for-33, racking up 273 yards and scoring two TDs, while tossing one interception on the day. Tagovailoa had a struggling start, throwing one touchdown and one pick, but continuously going three-and-out before bouncing back in the second half.

Dolphins Run Game Picking Up

Running back Myles Gaskin also resumed his No. 1 RB form, carrying the ball 23 times for 89 yards. He was however kept out of the end zone. Miami also tried to get Gaskin and crew some help, elevating veteran RB Duke Johnson for the game. He finished with four rushes for 12 yards. 

“Just doing my job. Really just doing what they ask whether it’s special teams, practice squad,” Johnson said. “Just doing my job and not complaining because I know everything I do helps the team whether I’m actually in there or not.”

The receiving game had tight end Mike Gesicki and wide receiver Jaylen Waddle’s names written all over it. However, WR Mack Hollins was the show-stopper on the afternoon, breaking away in broken coverage for a 65-yard bomb of a TD in the second half to begin Miami’s comeback. He was the leading receiver on the day with 72 yards and the score. Waddle however led the group again with eight catches (nine targets) for 65 yards and scored a rushing TD. Gesicki was right behind him with five catches (six targets) for 50 yards.

Overall, the offense was effective and worked to their advantages and the Jets’ weaknesses, but a lot of yards and plays continued to get called back due to penalties that still were not fixed heading into Week 11.

Jets Defensive Woes and Throws

Much like the offense, the New York defense suffered a lot of penalties with many defensive holding and passing interference calls. Safety Jevon Holland and defensive end Christian Wilkins both recovered a fumble, Jets QB Joe Flacco was sacked twice, the Miami defense had four passes deflected and the secondary applied eight QB hits – quite a feat for this bouncing back defense. 

Overall, the Dolphins were able to keep the clamps on the Jets offense and shut them down hard. The game was tied at 7-7 after the first quarter, and neither team managed a point for the remainder of the half. After both posting a field goal in the third quarter, it was Miami’s fourth-quarter TD that was the difference maker that separated them from New York, 10-3.

Miami will need to build on its momentum from the second half right from the start in Week 12 when it hosts the Carolina Panthers. It is facing QB Cam Newton, who it struggled containing on the ground last season when he was a member of the New England Patriots. However, if the defense can stand firm as it did in the second half, and Tagovailoa can continue to go toe-to-toe and make plays on offense, the Dolphins can be lethal on Sunday.