The Dolphins are back from their bye week and eager to kick off the second stanza of the 2026 season. The week away afforded the team the opportunity to get healthy, self-scout, reflect and prepare for the Jets.
"I really like this team, and I know that at 0-5 everybody could look at me like I'm crazy," Head Coach Jeff Hafley said. "But the energy that this team has, the connection that this group has, the youth, it's almost like a fun youth to be around. They really love playing football. They really love playing with each other."
"It's me looking at the foundation that's being set for this team, and we all want to win," Hafley continued. "I want to win more than you guys have any idea. But what we're building right now, and a lot of people need to see before they believe. I believe. I believe in this team before maybe most people can see it. But what we're doing right now, we're going to look back on and it's going to be awesome."
Despite the record, the Dolphins' belief continues to build because they know they are close. In each of the last three games, a play or two going the other direction could have resulted in an extra win or two.
Unfortunately, in this league, coming close isn't good enough. But the Dolphins, for all their youth and inexperience, recognize the shortfalls and what is required to get over the hump.
"I think if we eliminate a lot of the penalties that we've had and if we avoid negative plays, offense and defensively and special teams, if we just avoid negative plays, we play clean football," rookie inside linebacker Jacob Rodriguez said. "A lot of the stuff that when we're in close games, it'll fall our way. So, we got to do a better job of just playing a good brand of football."
Rodriguez and the Dolphins defense will face a Jets offense that, despite throwing just one interception and committing four turnovers total, ranks 27th in points scored (18.7 per game) and 25th in total offense (290.6 yards per game). Sacks have been a culprit in the Jets' stalled drives. Quarterback Geno Smith has been sacked 19 times for a net loss of 159 yards, the most in the NFL.
The Jets could make the case that they, too, are close to having a better record. Hafley said as much when he was asked about the challenges this week.
"I think this [Jets] team right now is better than their record shows," he said. "Every game, they've been in as you watch them play, so I think their record doesn't show it right now, but (Jets Head Coach Aaron Glenn) has done a really good job and this is a really good football team."
With a win, the Jets would move to 3-4 on the season. That would mark their best seven-game start since 2023 and set up an opportunity to get back to .500 eight games into the season for just the third time in 11 years.
The Dolphins could get help from a pair of rookies who returned to practice for the first time in a month. Wide receiver Caleb Douglas has practiced all week after missing three games with an ankle injury and is set to return on Sunday. Safety Kyle Louis had his 21-day practice window opened after missing the last four games on injured reserve with a knee injury.
Make sure to check out the Injury Report and the team's official social media accounts 90 minutes before kickoff to see who is active for the game.
Watch the game live on Sunday, Oct. 25 at 1 p.m. ET on CBS or listen on the Dolphins Radio Network. You can also visit the Game Center for the latest coverage.
