EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The Miami Dolphins finally had a reason to celebrate, and first-year head coach Jeff Hafley found himself at the center of the excitement after his team secured a hard-fought 28-25 victory over the New York Jets on Sunday.
Following the game, Hafley walked into his postgame news conference with a towel around his neck after players drenched him with water in a jubilant locker room. The victory marked his first win as Miami’s head coach and gave the Dolphins a much-needed boost following their bye week.
Hafley, who grew up in Montvale, approximately 20 minutes from MetLife Stadium, celebrated the milestone in front of about 30 friends and family members.
The Dolphins (1-5) avoided an 0-6 start for the first time since 2019, thanks to a strong performance from quarterback Malik Willis, an effective running game and a critical fourth-down conversion late in the contest.
“It was a really, really special moment, one that I’m appreciative of and one that I won’t forget,” Hafley said. “They deserve it. You could feel a lot come out of it. I’m very happy for the players. They did a great job.”
Willis delivered one of his strongest performances of the season, completing 14 of 21 passes for 208 yards and two touchdowns. Both scoring throws went to rookie wide receiver Caleb Douglas. Willis also contributed 37 yards on eight rushing attempts, including the decisive play that helped Miami escape with the win.
With the Dolphins protecting a three-point advantage, they faced fourth-and-1 at the New York 49-yard line near the two-minute warning. Rather than punt and give the Jets another opportunity, Hafley consulted his offensive linemen before deciding to keep the offense on the field.
Willis powered through the middle for two yards, picking up the first down and allowing Miami to maintain possession long enough to protect its lead.
Hafley said the confidence he saw from his offensive line helped him make the decision to go for it.
“When I saw the look in their eyes, I was very confident that we’d get it,” Hafley said. “As soon as I saw that, there was no doubt in my mind that we’d go for it.”
Willis credited his coach for believing in the offense during a pivotal moment.
“He trusted us, and we trusted him,” Willis said.
Jets rally late but fall short
New York (2-5) nearly erased Miami’s advantage in the closing minutes, putting together a late scoring drive after falling behind 28-17.
Quarterback Geno Smith connected with Isaiah Davis on fourth-and-4, and Davis turned the short completion into a 41-yard gain that moved the Jets to the Miami 18-yard line.
Three plays later, Smith found tight end Mason Taylor for a 12-yard touchdown, his second scoring reception of the afternoon.
The Jets encountered problems on their two-point conversion attempts when penalties wiped out their first two opportunities. Smith eventually connected with Taylor again to complete the conversion and pull New York within 28-25 with 3:24 remaining.
The Jets needed one more defensive stop to have a chance to complete the comeback, but Willis and the Dolphins’ offensive line delivered when the game was on the line.
Smith finished 23 of 30 for 287 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Taylor caught two touchdown passes, while Omar Cooper Jr. added another scoring reception. Running back Braelon Allen rushed for 104 yards as New York generated several productive offensive stretches but struggled to finish key possessions.
The defeat extended the Jets’ difficulties against division opponents under coach Aaron Glenn. New York fell to 0-8 against AFC East teams during Glenn’s tenure, including consecutive losses to New England and Miami.
“When it comes to this game, highly disappointed,” Glenn said. “Disappointed in myself, first and foremost.”
Miami strikes first in an offensive shootout
The Dolphins wasted little time establishing themselves offensively. Miami opened the game with a seven-play, 76-yard drive that ended with Willis throwing a seven-yard touchdown pass to Douglas.
The score gave the Dolphins their first lead in a game this season and ended New York’s streak of five consecutive games without allowing points on an opponent’s opening possession.
The Jets answered immediately. Smith connected with Taylor for a 13-yard touchdown, tying the score and continuing New York’s own run of opening-drive success. Taylor, the son of former Dolphins defensive star and Pro Football Hall of Famer Jason Taylor, continued to make an impact against his father’s former team.
Miami responded with a 14-play drive capped by a one-yard touchdown run from Gordon, who finished with 103 rushing yards.
The Jets threatened to answer again, advancing to the Miami 21-yard line before Smith threw an interception to Dolphins safety Michael Taaffe.
Miami’s next possession ended in a three-and-out, but Willis provided another scoring moment just before halftime. He scrambled two yards for a touchdown with six seconds remaining in the second quarter, extending the Dolphins’ advantage to 21-7.
Jets find some momentum after halftime
New York attempted to build momentum coming out of the locker room. Allen broke off a 27-yard run on the Jets’ first play of the third quarter, but the drive stalled before the offense could turn the gain into points.
The frustration continued when Jason Sanders, a longtime Dolphins kicker now in his first season with the Jets, missed a 40-yard field-goal attempt off the right upright.
Cooper helped New York get back into the game on the next possession with a 60-yard reception. Five plays later, he hauled in a three-yard touchdown pass from Smith, cutting Miami’s lead to 21-14 with 5:50 left in the third quarter.
The Jets had another opportunity to narrow the deficit after reaching the Miami one-yard line. However, runs by Andrew Beck and Allen failed to produce a touchdown, and a third-down sack of Smith forced New York to settle for a 33-yard field goal.
Miami answered with the play that restored its two-score cushion.
Willis delivered a short, sidearm pass to Douglas, who stayed in bounds along the sideline before accelerating downfield for a 63-yard touchdown. The explosive connection put the Dolphins ahead 28-17 with 4:44 remaining and appeared to give them enough breathing room to finish the game.
New York’s late touchdown drive made the final minutes tense, but Miami’s fourth-down conversion prevented the Jets from getting another opportunity.
Injury report
Dolphins: Running back Jaylen Wright left in the fourth quarter with a quadriceps injury. Safety Dante Trader Jr. injured his left shoulder in the third quarter. Cornerback JuJu Brents suffered a stinger but returned in the fourth quarter.
Jets: Defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat left late in the second quarter with a knee injury and did not return.
What’s next:
Miami will look to build on its breakthrough performance when it hosts the New England Patriots next Sunday.
The Jets will try to regroup at home against the Las Vegas Raiders, hoping to turn a competitive divisional matchup into a much-needed victory.
