By Nunnie Robinson, The Westside Gazette Sports Editor
After a frustrating first half in which the secondary struggled in coverage and the defense had no answers for Aaron Rodgers and the Jets’ offense, a defensive revival, timely offensive execution and exceptional special teams play catapulted the Dolphins to an overtime win over the division rival New York Jets on Sunday at the Hard Rock.
Kader Kohou and Jalen Ramsey acted like they hadn’t played together or communicated defensively, blowing or confusing coverages which left Davante Adams and Garrett Wilson constantly open on crossing patterns, keeping the Fins in an uncomfortable uphill battle. Thankfully, the defense found their footing, playing more aggressively as the game progressed. In the fourth quarter with the Jets seemingly in control, two plays for losses of five and six yards by defensive tackles Benito Jones and Zack Sieler respectively following an Allen Lazard reception changed everything. The Fins were out of timeouts when Rodgers completed a 14 yard pass to Davante Adams, who was forced out of bounds fortunately by Kendall Fuller, keeping Miami’s hopes alive. The Jets subsequently made a 57 yard goal to take a 26-23 lead with 52 seconds left in the game. If not for the play by Fuller- forcing Adams out of bounds, the remaining time likely wouldn’t have been enough for a comeback. Fate was on the Dolphins’ side.
Offensively, the Dolphins were led by Tua, Tyreek, Jaylen, De’Von and a much improved offensive line that has given the QB the time to complete a high percentage of passes, making him, as Tyreek Hill has stated, the most accurate passer in the NFL. As proof, since his return to action in week 8, Tagovailoa has thrown 15 touchdown passes with just one interception, completing 73.8 percent of his passes while raising his all-time mark to an NFL-best 68.1 percent.
Malik Washington’s 45 yard kickoff return following the Jets field goal, allowed Tua Tagovailoa to work his magic. Tua found wide receiver Tyreek Hill for 14 yards and Waddle for 6 yards which set up the November Special Teams Player of the Month, Jason Sanders, for a successful 52 yard field goal to send the game into overtime, his fourth of the game.
Winning the coin toss at the beginning of overtime, the Jets offensively would never see the ball again.
Jonnu Smith, who had been incognito during game, became Tua’s go to target, catching 3 passes for 44 yards, including the game-clinching touchdown.
The old adage consistently echoed by coaches proved prophetically true on this scintillating Sunday as all three phases contributed to the victory.
“I couldn’t be prouder of the fourth quarter, the complementary football,” McDaniel said. “When plays needed to be had, some of the biggest plays in the game were on special teams.”
The Dolphins 32-26 victory gives the Fins 6-7 record as they travel next week to Houston to face a Texans squad ripe for an upset.