Dolphins’ first victory of 2026 comes over Jets

The Miami Dolphins came into a Week 7 contest in New York with a disappointing 0-5 record, desperately needing a result to revive its campaign, while the Jets arrived at 2-4 after a difficult start under head coach Aaron Glenn, although they had shown signs of progression, thanks to the plethora of talent acquired in recent drafts.

However, Miami began emphatically on its opening possession. Quarterback Malik Willis found space through the air, connecting with Greg Dulcich for a 32-yard gain to move the Dolphins into the red zone. Willis then found Caleb Douglas for a 7-yard touchdown, marking the young wide receiver’s first career NFL touchdown.

The Jets made a promising start offensively in front of their home crowd as well, with Geno Smith immediately looking to exploit Miami’s defensive weaknesses. A 52-yard completion to rookie wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. brought New York deep into Dolphins territory, and the hosts capitalised on the opportunity. Smith connected with tight end Mason Taylor for a 13-yard touchdown, capping off a 65-yard drive.

The Dolphins continued to build momentum on their next possession, with running back Ollie Gordon II providing an effective option on the ground. A 25-yard burst from Gordon II helped Miami move into Jets territory, and Willis continued to distribute the ball efficiently as the visitors approached the goal line. Gordon II subsequently finished the drive with a one-yard rushing touchdown, putting Miami back ahead and completing a productive opening period for the Dolphins’ offense.

New York struggled to produce an immediate response, and Miami maintained its offensive pressure into the second quarter. Willis demonstrated his mobility as well as his passing ability, helping the Dolphins sustain a 15-play drive that consumed almost 9 minutes of the clock. The possession ended with Willis scrambling into the end zone from 2 yards out, extending Miami’s advantage to 21-7.

The touchdown gave the Dolphins a commanding 14-point lead at the interval, with Willis delivering one of his most encouraging performances of the season. Miami had scored on each of its first two possessions before producing another lengthy scoring drive late in the half, while the Jets were left searching for answers after being outscored 14-0 in the second quarter.

New York needed a response after the break, and although their opening possession saw them come away empty-handed, Cooper Jr. helped provide one. The rookie wide receiver produced another explosive reception, gaining 60 yards to put the Jets in a promising position. Smith subsequently found Cooper Jr. for a 13-yard touchdown, reducing the deficit to 21-14 and giving the hosts renewed belief in a comeback.

The touchdown changed the complexion of the contest, with Miami’s offense suddenly struggling to reproduce its first-half efficiency. The Dolphins found it increasingly difficult to sustain drives, allowing New York to regain possession and gradually build pressure. The Jets’ defense tightened up, while Smith continued to search for opportunities to bring his team back into the game.

New York’s comeback gathered further momentum in the fourth quarter, when the Jets moved deep into Miami territory with an opportunity to level the score. However, the Dolphins’ defense delivered a crucial goal-line stand, stopping the Jets’ running game on consecutive attempts before sacking Smith for a 12-yard loss on third down. The hosts were forced to settle for a field goal, leaving Miami with a narrow advantage rather than allowing New York to draw level.

The defensive stand proved vital, but Miami were still likely to need some more points on offense to prevent the Jets from completing their comeback. Willis had completed just 3 passes in the second half, but made his best play as a Dolphin when he found Douglas for a remarkable 63-yard touchdown, with the rookie breaking free down the left sideline and racing into the end zone. The touchdown restored a 2-score cushion at 28-17 and appeared to have given Miami the breathing room it desperately needed.

New York refused to surrender, however, with Smith leading another quick scoring drive. The quarterback connected with Taylor for a 12-yard touchdown, and the Jets successfully converted the ensuing two-point attempt to cut the deficit to 28-25. The late score ensured the closing stages remained tense, with Miami needing to protect its advantage against a resurgent divisional rival.

The Dolphins ultimately did enough to close out the contest, converting a crucial fourth-down run near midfield before running down the remaining clock. After seeing a comfortable lead shrink under pressure, Miami held firm when it mattered most to secure its first victory of the campaign. The result offered a much-needed boost for a team that had struggled through the opening weeks, while the Jets were left frustrated after coming agonisingly close to completing a turnaround.

Willis finished with 208 passing yards and 2 touchdown passes, adding a rushing touchdown in an encouraging performance. Gordon contributed 103 rushing yards and a score on 25 carries, while Douglas delivered a pair of touchdowns, including the decisive 63-yard reception. For New York, Smith and Cooper Jr. helped fuel the late comeback, but the Jets’ slow second quarter ultimately proved too costly.

Touchdowns
Miami: Douglas 2, Gordon II, Willis
New York Jets: Taylor 2, Cooper Jr.

Top Performers
Miami: Douglas, Gordon II, Willis, Taaffe
New York Jets: Smith, Taylor, Cooper Jr., Allen

Injuries
Miami: N/A
New York Jets: N/A

Crowd: TBC @ MetLife Stadium