Jaelan Phillips challenges Dolphins teammates ahead of Jets game

Shortly after the Miami Dolphins fell to 0-3 on the season via a 31-21 loss to the Buffalo Bills last Thursday, multiple members of the Dolphins made it known they weren't taking any "moral victories" from the fact that they weren't blown out by an advertised Super Bowl contender. 

For a piece published on Wednesday, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN shared that "Miami was encouraged by its performance last Thursday night against Buffalo and noticed improvements by its defense." Fowler also noted that Dolphins pass-rusher Jaelan Phillips offered a bit of a challenge for his teammates ahead of the upcoming "Monday Night Football" home game against the 0-3 New York Jets. 

Jaelan Phillips wants Dolphins "to show up" versus Jets

"We have to show up [versus the Jets]," Phillips recently said. "We know it's early, and our play has not been up to par for what we know we can do, but we're not discouraged." 

The Dolphins opened the season with a 33-8 blowout loss to the Indianapolis Colts (3-0) and a 33-27 defeat at the hands of a New England Patriots side that dropped two of its first three contests. ESPN stats show that Miami heads into Week 4 ranked last in the league in points allowed per game (32.3). 

"It's motivation to improve what we need to improve on," Phillips continued. "The narratives, we're not worried about that. It's about playing a better brand of football. ...We know the amount of talent we have."

Jaelan Phillips calls for patience amid Dolphins' struggles

A report from last week detailed how the Dolphins took steps to improve their culture after head coach Mike McDaniel failed to record a single playoff win across his first three seasons in charge. Part of that process involved Miami parting ways with players such as cornerback Jalen Ramsey, tight end Jonnu Smith and safety Jevon Holland.

"It doesn't happen overnight," Phillips added about the Dolphins' reset. "We have the right guys in the locker room."

In the ESPN article, NFL insider Dan Graziano mentioned that Jets starting quarterback Justin Fields could miss a second straight game because his recovery from the concussion he suffered in Week 2 "hasn't been easy." As of Wednesday morning, ESPN BET had the Dolphins as 2.5-point home favorites over the Jets.