One of two 0-3 teams finally has a win in the new NFL season.
The Miami Dolphins hosted the New York Jets in a primetime divisional contest Monday night, with the former coming away with a 27-21 win.
Despite the positive result, much of the focus for Miami will be on Tyreek Hill’s status. The star WR1 went down with a gruesome leg injury early in the third quarter and was taken to a local hospital in an ambulance.
Miami’s offense didn’t look as smooth after his exit, but had enough to hold on for the win despite a late New York push.
The Dolphins will hope to build some momentum even though Hill’s absence tilts the needle the opposite way. For the 0-4 Jets, they’ll face the Dallas Cowboys next to attempt an end to their winless start.
Let’s analyze the game further with winners and losers:
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WINNER: Dolphins’ defense delivers
Miami’s defense showed some promise after a road loss to the Buffalo Bills on Thursday Night Football. But it was tough to overcome Josh Allen when he’s in a rhythm with a positive home environment surrounding him.
Still, Miami’s defensive momentum carried over into this game, as Justin Fields struggled through the air until the game was put out of reach. Miami also forced three fumbles lost on New York: one each on Fields, Braelon Allen and Isaiah Williams.
The Dolphins scored touchdowns after two of those fumbles, shifting the margins in their favor.
LOSER: Tyreek Hill’s setback
Hill was Miami’s leading receiver on the day before his injury and still ended up so despite missing almost an entire half. He had six catches on six targets for 67 yards and a long of 28.
But the 31-year-old’s injury is no doubt a setback for him athletically while the Dolphins’ wideout room took a significant hit. It may have also affected the plans of hopeful trade suitors that had a Hill move in their sights should Miami’s struggles persist.
Even if Hill can return sometime this season, he likely won’t be able to make a significant impact until 2026. Jaylen Waddle’s importance just grew tenfold.
WINNER: De’Von Achane, Dolphins
Achane was back at his best against New York, eluding defenders with his flair and churning out the ground yards.
He ran for a season-best 99 yards on 20 carries and a touchdown, averaging five yards per attempt. His touchdown was peak Achane.
Hill’s injury puts further emphasis on Achane also staying healthy and replicating such performances, though history may not be on his side.
Darren Waller also caught two touchdown passes in his first game since the 2023 season, which could help spark a run of form.
LOSER: Garrett Wilson, Jets
Wilson didn’t have a bad game per say, logging six catches on eight targets for 82 yards and one jaw-dropping touchdown snag.
He also had another elite touchdown catch wiped out for a controversial offensive pass interference.
Despite all his skills, you have to wonder if the 25-year-old wideout isn’t being optimized in New York. Fields isn’t the air-it-out quarterback profile and proved so for over three quarters of this game. If New York’s woes continue, then Wilson, not Hill, may be an intriguing trade candidate for a true contender.
LOSER: Jets’ penalty discrepancy
Along with the three lost fumbles on the night, New York generally struggled with keeping its discipline. Whereas the Dolphins coughed up 40 yards on six penalties against them, the Jets had 101 yards on a whopping 13 penalties.
Not many had New York has a true contender entering this season, but there was some slight hope it could make an early playoff push under Aaron Glenn — or at least resemble a competent team.
The early signs all say otherwise, though, as New York doesn’t have a Robert Saleh-led defense to rely on, either. Glenn and Co. have plenty of cleaning up to do on a short week if they are to avoid an 0-5 start.