The Dolphins beat the Jets 27-21 on Monday Night Football to improve to 1-3 on the season. Debuting the new pitch blue 'Rivalries' uniforms, the Dolphins got some familiar performances from familiar faces, but also production from one newcomer in particular.
Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was on point. The defense took the ball away from the Jets three times and tight end Darren Waller scored twice in his Dolphins debut.
- Welcome to Miami, Darren Waller!
In his first NFL game since January 2024, tight end Darren Waller made quite the impression. He caught three passes in his Dolphins debut, two for touchdowns and another third-down grab that moved the chains. He also recovered a Jets onside kick attempt to secure Miami's first victory of the season.
"He played really good," Tagovailoa said. "Any time you get the ball in your hands, and you score twice, that shows us that you're a viable option for us or you could be a viable option for us. But that first touchdown, I mean I can't remember the last time I've thrown the ball to dang near the goal post, and somebody catches it like that. So that's the kind of guy that we have in Darren Waller."
For his efforts, Waller was awarded a game ball and delivered quite the post-game locker room speech.
- Vintage Tua
Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa made critical plays and improved to 6-0 as a starter over the Jets, throwing for two touchdowns and 177 yards. Executing ball fakes off play action, creating outside of structure, and Tua's vintage accuracy were all on display Monday night.
Tagovailoa, who finished the night with a .44 EPA per play (expected points added), exceled on third downs and helped Miami convert on five occasions, none of which were shorter than five yards to go. His .44 EPA per play was the fourth-best performance by an NFL quarterback in Week 4.
- Takeaways
The Dolphins entered Week 4 without a takeaway, but that changed on the first possession of Monday's game.
Cornerback Jack Jones punched the football out of Jets running back Braelon Allen's hands as he was about to cross the goal line for a Jets touchdown and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick fell on the ball to kill the Jets drive at the 1-yard-line. The takeaway was followed by a 15-play, 96-yard drive that finished with a 4-yard touchdown pass from Tagovailoa to Waller .
"I would say that the first takeaway epitomizes what I see our team to be, which I think was an 80-yard drive, that Jack Jones (forced a fumble on) and no one quit," McDaniel said. "There were a lot of plays that guys weren't fired up about on that drive. But we kept playing and kept fighting. We made them earn each yard. Down in the red zone, you get the takeaway, and then I think there was a 96-yard drive, 15 plays, and that complementary football I think was the biggest turning point in the game."
The second fumble came on the ensuing drive as the Dolphins tricked the Jets pass protection with a simulated pressure. Anthony Weaver's defense walked a fifth man up to the line of scrimmage at the snap, but two backed out when the play began.
Linebacker Tyrel Dodson strip-sacked Jets quarterback Justin Fields on a delayed rush and outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips recovered the fumble, giving the ball back to the offense.
The final takeaway occurred on special teams. Rookie safety Dante Trader forced and recovered a fumble during the opening kickoff at the start of the second half. Miami capitalized off the turnover, putting together a six-play, 36-yard drive that ended with a 9-yard touchdown pass from Tagovailoa to Waller.
For more analysis, takeaways and breakdowns, download the Drive Time Podcast with Travis Wingfield, available on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
