The Dolphins conclude the first month of the 2025 season and a three-game slate against AFC East rivals when they host the Jets at Hard Rock Stadium for this week's Monday Night Football matchup.
In an alternate universe, either team could be entering this contest at 2-1. The Dolphins were a play away from victory each of the last two weeks, while the Jets held late leads over both Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay after a blowout loss to the Buffalo Bills.
The key in this one is staying committed to the process and not pressing for results.
"You don't want to be desperate for a win because that's when you start to really push," wide receiver Malik Wahsington said. "We're 1-0 each day. Each day throughout the week, we want to go 1-0 until we get to Monday and we go 1-0 in that game."
In the narrow loss to the Steelers, Jets quarterback Justin Fields enjoyed one of the best passing days of his career. He exited the lopsided Week 2 loss to Buffalo with a concussion and missed the Week 3 start in Tampa. Fields is expected to start for the Jets with Tyrod Taylor returning to his role as the backup.
The last time the Dolphins faced Fields was when he was a member of the Chicago Bears in 2022. Fields ran for a career-best 178 yards that day, but Miami's explosive offense answered with a 302-yard passing day and three scores via the air. Tagovailoa found both of his star wide receivers, Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, for touchdowns at Soldier Field, just like he did last week against Buffalo – the latter tying the game in the fourth quarter.
Hill and Waddle have enjoyed big days against this division rival. The pair have racked up 75 receptions for 838 yards as a tandem against the Jets. The opportunity to get downfield might present itself in this prime-time affair.
The Jets defense has allowed the third-highest EPA (expected points added) per pass play this season. Opposing offenses are completing just under 50 percent of their passes over 10 yards against the Jets, the third-highest clip in the NFL.
If Miami doesn't push the ball down the field, there are opportunities underneath. The Jets' 39 missed tackles this season are the most in the NFL. For comparison, Miami has just 18 missed tackles on the season, according to Pro Football Reference.
"I have tremendous respect for 'AG' (Jets Head Coach Aaron Glenn) and the program that he's building over there," Head Coach Mike McDaniel said. It kind of mirrored what I would expect in terms of there's a standard of effort and intent. With teams like that, the worst thing you can do is assume that they're left for whatever because they will punch you right in the mouth."
The Jets will be without star linebacker Quincy Williams, who injured his shoulder in the game at Tampa Bay and was placed on injured reserve. The expectation is that Darren Waller will make his Dolphins debut after the team traded for him in July.
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 Monday, September 29 at 7:15 p.m. ET on ESPN, and locally on CBS Miami, and listen on the Dolphins Radio Network and view the Game Center for the latest coverage.
