Defensive Dominance: The Numbers Behind Miami’s Defensive Showing vs. Jets

Defensive Dominance: The Numbers Behind Miami’s Defensive Showing vs. Jets

For as much as people like to point out that the Miami Dolphins’ success running the ball has contributed to their current four-game winning streak, there have been other contributing factors. Namely, they have really stepped it up on the defensive side of the ball during this span. Every one of the Dolphins’ last four opponents has been limited to 17 points or fewer, and their defensive unit put together its most suffocating performance of the season so far against the New York Jets on Sunday.

While the Jets don’t boast the NFL’s most high-powered offensive attack by any stretch, Miami held New York to just 10 points scored on Sunday — that’s the lowest point total put up against the team in a single game all season. The lion’s share of those points came in the opening quarter as well, as after scoring seven in the first alone, the Jets mustered only three more the rest of the way.

Jets running back Breece Hall has been a problem for opposing defenses throughout the 2025 campaign, but the Dolphins largely neutralized him on Sunday. After all, he totaled just 43 rushing yards, and he’s averaging 67.5 rushing yards per game this season for comparison.

The leader of New York’s offense, quarterback Brady Cook, had quite the rough showing against the Dolphins’ defense as well. Not only did he complete fewer than half of his 30 passing attempts in the game, but he threw for a pair of interceptions without tallying so much as a single passing touchdown. Cornerback Ethan Bonner and linebacker Tyrel Dodson were the two players who managed to intercept Cook on Sunday.

The amount that the Dolphins have improved on the defensive side of the ball since the commencement of this season cannot be understated, and they’re hoping that their defense will come up big once again against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Dec. 15.