MIAMI GARDENS — The Jets will officially miss the playoffs once again.
The Dolphins (6-7) defeated the Jets (3-10) 32-26 in overtime on a beautiful, sunny, 77-degree day at Hard Rock Stadium after Jonnu Smith scored on a 10-yard touchdown pass from Tua Tagovailoa.
The loss officially eliminated the Jets from playoff contention for the 14th straight year.
Jets owner Woody Johnson fired Robert Saleh on Oct. 8, and the team has been in freefall ever since. Jeff Ulbrich, who became the Jets’ interim coach on Oct. 8, has a 1-7 record. Gang Green also hadn’t won a game since defeating the Texans on Halloween.
Aaron Rodgers played his best game in a Jets uniform after completing 27-of-39 passes for a season-high 339 yards and a touchdown. Rodgers had been bothered by ankle, hamstring, and knee injuries since Week 4, but on Sunday, he looked like the player many expected coming off his Achilles injury a season ago.
It was Rodgers’ first 300-yard game since December 2021, but it was not enough to come away with the win.
Wide receivers Garrett Wilson and Davante Adams also both torched the Dolphins secondary. They combined for 16 receptions for 223 yards and a touchdown.
In place of Breece Hall, Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis combined to finish with 83 yards rushing.
Malik Washington‘s 45-yard return put the Dolphins within striking distance of a game-tying field goal. And then Jason Sanders‘ 52-yard field goal tied the game at 26-26 and sent it into overtime.
Miami won the toss in overtime and got the ball first and Tagovailoa carved up the Jets secondary. He eventually found Smith in the end zone for a game-winning touchdown.
Miami got the ball to begin the game and scored a touchdown on its opening drive. After an unnecessary roughness penalty on Javon Kinlaw and a pass interference on D.J. Reed in the end zone, Dolphins running back De’Von Achane scored a one-yard touchdown that put them up 6-0 after Sanders missed the extra point.
The Jets also scored on their first drive but settled for three after Anders Carlson converted a 28-yard field goal, which made the score 6-3. After the Dolphins failed to convert on third down, Sanders made a 39-yard field goal, putting Miami up 9-3 in the second quarter.
Early in the second quarter, Gang Green scored its first touchdown at Hard Rock Stadium since 2022. Following a 35-yard pass from Rodgers to Garrett Wilson, rookie Isaiah Davis rushed for a 17-yard touchdown that gave the Jets a 10-9 advantage. That was Davis’ first NFL rushing touchdown after scoring on a receiving touchdown during the Jets’ loss to the Seahawks last week.
Sanders converted his second field goal of the game with five minutes left in the second quarter and Miami retook the lead at 12-10. The Jets added another field goal to go up 13-12 after Carlson made a 30-yard attempt with 49 seconds left in the second quarter.
With two seconds before halftime, Sanders nailed a 57-yard field goal, which gave Miami a 15-13 lead.
Following the halftime break, the Jets continued their success offensively by scoring a touchdown in seven plays. Rodgers found Adams for a three-yard touchdown pass that gave the Jets a 20-15 lead.
Late in the third quarter, Carlson added his third field goal of the game, giving the Jets a 23-15 lead.
With 9:04 remaining in regulation, Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa completed a four-yard touchdown pass to Tyreek Hill. Then Tagovailoa’s pass to Jaylen Waddle tied the game at 23-23.
With 4:25 left, the Jets and Rodgers got the ball with a chance to take the lead and win the game late. After completions to Adams and Allen Lazard, Carlson’s 42-yard field goal gave the Jets a 26-23 lead with 51 seconds left.
But Sanders’ 52-yard field goal tied the game at 26-26 and sent it into overtime.
Right tackle Morgan Moses suffered a wrist injury and was listed as questionable ahead of Sunday’s game. This marked the third time this season that a player had suffered a pregame injury (Michael Carter, C.J. Mosley). He played on the Jets’ first possession, but his left wrist was heavily taped up. In the third quarter, Max Mitchell replaced Moses on the offensive line.
Early in the fourth quarter, Jets special teams ace Irv Charles appeared to suffer a knee injury and the entire team came from the sideline to check on him.
The Jets will play in the Sunshine State again next weekend when they travel to EverBank Stadium to face the Jaguars.
