Dolphins avoid 0-17 crisis, pick up first win of season against struggling Jets on the road
As the only franchise in NFL history to have a 17-0 season, the Miami Dolphins are simply not allowed to go 0-17.
There was a large contingent who believed a winless season was in the cards for Jeff Hafley’s rebuilding Dolphins team entering his first season as head coach.
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But that crisis was averted on Sunday, as Hafley and the Dolphins picked up their first win of the 2026 NFL season against the New York Jets, 28-25, at MetLife Stadium.
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Miami Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley on the sideline during the first half of an NFL game against the New York Jets in East Rutherford, N.J., on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
And while a winless season was avoided, the Dolphins also made sure they didn’t go 0-6 for the first time since 2019.
Quarterback Malik Willis threw for two touchdowns and run for a score to help lead the Dolphins over their AFC East foe, while Miami showed some clear spirit on the road post-bye week.
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The Dolphins scored on their first two drives of the game, with Willis finding rookie Caleb Douglas, who missed the last few games due to injury, for a seven-yard touchdown grab to kick off the scoring in this one.
Then, Ollie Gordon, who has played well since the season-ending injury to De’Von Achane, busted his way into the end zone to cap a 14-play drive, making it 14-7.
Geno Smith and the Jets were hoping to get themselves back on track at 2-4 entering Sunday, and he looked good on the opening drive. He hit Omar Cooper Jr. for a 52-yard catch to flip the field, and tight end Mason Taylor made a highlight-reel grab to tie the game at seven apiece.
Miami Dolphins offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor celebrates a first down late in the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets in East Rutherford, N.J., on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
But when halftime came around, the Dolphins were up 21-7 after Willis scrambled in from two yards out with just seconds left on the clock.
New York made things interesting late, though, as Smith found Taylor again for a 12-yard score, and the tight end also caught the two-point conversion to make it 28-25 with 3:24 left in the game.
Willis and the Dolphins had the opportunity to seal victory on the ensuing drive. It was the mobile quarterback doing just that on fourth down. He pushed through on fourth-and-1 with the first down needed to start the celebrations.
Of course, the Dolphins need quite the win streak to get back into the playoff picture, but the weight is off everyone’s backs in Miami.
Miami Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis passes in the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets in East Rutherford, N.J., on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
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Meanwhile, Aaron Glenn and the Jets have more questions to answer as they fall to 2-5 on the year after a solid start to the season. Smith was 23-of-30 for 287 yards with three touchdown passes and an interception, but the Jets can’t seem to find consistent play.
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