DOLPHINS FACE OFF AGAINST JETS FOR A CHANCE AT A PLAYOFF SPOT

 By: Jack Orlando 

                                                            Photo credits: Mike Masala

The Jets and Dolphins face off on Sunday at Hard Rock stadium, for a chance at the Dolphins sixth straight win, along with a chance at a playoff spot. 

On the Jets Opening drive with tons of momentum going their way Braxton Berrios runs in off of a Jet sweep to score the Jets first touchdown, putting them up early 7-0. However the Dolphins did not have as much luck on their opening drive. Dolphins QB Tua Ttugalvola throws an interception on the Dolphins opening drive to Jets Safety Ashtyn Davis giving the Jets the ball on the Dolphins side of the field. The Jets failed to reach the end zone this time, settling for a field goal, making the score by the end of the first 10-0.

Going into the second quarter the Dolphins came out firing, WR Devante Parker made an incredible grab putting the Dolphins within the 5 yard line. After this grab it wasn’t hard for the Dolphins, as they converted for a touchdown on the very next play. Duke Johnson rushed for a 1 yard touchdown making the score 10-7 Jets. The Jets with some momentum still from the hot start streak right back down the field. And who else but Zach Wilson, as he QB sneaks into the endzone to make the score 17-10 going into halftime.

After some inconsistency from the Dolphins in the first half, they knew they had something to prove, and after a couple nice passes from Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa the scored off of another rushing touchdown from Duke Johnson. Making the score 17-17. But the Jets have just lost a key player in their defensive Elijah Riley. In an attempt to stop Johnson of the Dolphins, safety Elijah Riley goes in on a head and head collision and is left on the ground after the play. When the play ends the medical staff surrounds Riley and later carts him off the field. After the game doctors check Riley out as fine, and it shouldn’t be anything major to stop him. The Jets weren’t able to get anything started at the beginning of the third, and by the end of the quarter they were still tied at 17-17. 

However that didn’t last very long, right at the beginning of the fourth Tua converted to tight end Christain Wilkins for a touchdown. Making the score 24-17 mami. But the Jets weren’t done. On defense Tua proceeds to throw hsi second pick of the game, which also turned into a pick six for the Jets by corner back Brandon Eckels. Tying the game 24-24. This did not stop Tua though as he marched down the field and connected with Parker for the game winning touchdown, to award the Dolphins with another win to add to their playoff hopes.

The Dolphins attacked Jets weak run defensive and had tons of leverage of off it, allowing guys like Duke Johnson to get going as he achieved two touchdowns in the game

“Good learning experiences for us(Jets) to clean up” Zach Wilson explained in his post game interview. Although the Jets continue this tough drought this season Wilson reflects on the positives of today's game. For instance Wilson struggled with time in the pocket, so they know where they have to improve on.

“Offensively we actually moved the ball we just didn’t finish drives” (Coach Flores). The Dolphins coach is excited that they got this win, however, he knows there's a lot of room for improvement for his team if they want to go to the playoffs.

With the Jets getting knocked out of playoff contention last week, this loss really wasn’t the worst thing that could have happened to them. With a strong and promising first half the Jets were looking like a real team which I'm sure most fans were waiting to see nearing the end of the season.  Whereas for the Dolphins this win against the Jets makes it their sixth straight win in a row! With a slow start to the season starting the first half of their games 1-7, They are going to need every win they can get to have a chance at sneaking into the playoffs.