Miami delivered on several things I wanted to see entering the Jets game. Caleb Douglas made an immediate impact in his return, Malik Willis played with more decisiveness, and the offense protected the football. Defense also had encouraging moments, with Chop Robinson bringing pressure and the unit delivering a goal-line stand. Here are my five biggest takeaways.
1. Caleb Douglas Made His Return Count
In his first game since Week 1, Douglas finished with two catches for 70 yards and two touchdowns. Both catches ended in the end zone. That is a pretty good way to announce your return.
Miami needed more from its receiving group, and Douglas immediately gave Willis another weapon. His absence mattered, and this game showed why getting him back was something to look forward to.
2. Malik Willis Played With More Decisiveness
This looked more like the glimpses we saw from Willis in Green Bay. He took his checkdowns and played with more decisiveness. After watching him pass up underneath options in previous games, it was encouraging to see him take what the defense gave him.
His legs also helped the run game. The Jets’ defensive ends had to respect him keeping the ball, which kept them from immediately crashing down on Gordon and helped open running lanes.
This is the version of Willis I want to see more consistently. Taking the available throws, making quicker decisions, and using his athleticism gives this offense a better chance to function. Now I need to see him build on it.
3. Miami Protected the Football, and Michael Taaffe Took It Away
Miami finished with zero turnovers, addressing one of my biggest priorities from the preview. Willis made better decisions, and the offense avoided giving possessions away.
On the other side, Michael Taaffe came away with an interception. We have talked about wanting this defense to create more takeaways, and Taaffe delivered against the Jets. Protecting the ball on offense and taking it away on defense is exactly the combination I wanted to see.
4. Chop Robinson Brought the Pressure Miami Needed
Chop generated five pressures on 23 pass-rush snaps, including a crucial sack. That's a 21.7% pressure rate.
I wanted to see more from Miami’s edge rushers entering this game, and Chop delivered. The sack mattered, but so did his ability to keep affecting the quarterback beyond that one play. This is the kind of performance I want to see him build on as the season continues.
5. The Goal-Line Stand, Gordon’s Physicality and Dulcich Deserve Credit
The goal-line stand was another important moment. Miami’s defense had to hold its ground with very little room for error, and it delivered. That deserves recognition alongside the individual performances.
Gordon averaged 4.0 yards per carry, but what stood out to me was how violently he ran. He brought physicality to his touches. Between that and Willis keeping the defensive ends honest, there were encouraging signs of the rushing identity Miami wants to establish.
Greg Dulcich also had his best game of the year. With Douglas returning and Dulcich contributing, Willis had more help in the passing game. Those contributions helped make the offense look more functional.
Miami still has plenty to prove, especially when it comes to repeating these performances. However, Sunday was a step in the right direction. A win like this is huge for a team's confidence, especially with the hard schedule the Dolphins have this year. The bigger picture still includes securing a top draft pick and building this roster, but I will always enjoy seeing Miami win against the Jets.
Miami delivered on several things I wanted to see entering the Jets game. Caleb Douglas made an immediate impact in his return, Malik Willis played with more decisiveness, and the offense protected the football. Defense also had encouraging moments, with Chop Robinson bringing pressure and the unit delivering a goal-line stand. Here are my five biggest takeaways.
1. Caleb Douglas Made His Return Count
In his first game since Week 1, Douglas finished with two catches for 70 yards and two touchdowns. Both catches ended in the end zone. That is a pretty good way to announce your return.
Miami needed more from its receiving group, and Douglas immediately gave Willis another weapon. His absence mattered, and this game showed why getting him back was something to look forward to.
2. Malik Willis Played With More Decisiveness
This looked more like the glimpses we saw from Willis in Green Bay. He took his checkdowns and played with more decisiveness. After watching him pass up underneath options in previous games, it was encouraging to see him take what the defense gave him.
His legs also helped the run game. The Jets’ defensive ends had to respect him keeping the ball, which kept them from immediately crashing down on Gordon and helped open running lanes.
This is the version of Willis I want to see more consistently. Taking the available throws, making quicker decisions, and using his athleticism gives this offense a better chance to function. Now I need to see him build on it.
3. Miami Protected the Football, and Michael Taaffe Took It Away
Miami finished with zero turnovers, addressing one of my biggest priorities from the preview. Willis made better decisions, and the offense avoided giving possessions away.
On the other side, Michael Taaffe came away with an interception. We have talked about wanting this defense to create more takeaways, and Taaffe delivered against the Jets. Protecting the ball on offense and taking it away on defense is exactly the combination I wanted to see.
4. Chop Robinson Brought the Pressure Miami Needed
Chop generated five pressures on 23 pass-rush snaps, including a crucial sack. That's a 21.7% pressure rate.
I wanted to see more from Miami’s edge rushers entering this game, and Chop delivered. The sack mattered, but so did his ability to keep affecting the quarterback beyond that one play. This is the kind of performance I want to see him build on as the season continues.
5. The Goal-Line Stand, Gordon’s Physicality and Dulcich Deserve Credit
The goal-line stand was another important moment. Miami’s defense had to hold its ground with very little room for error, and it delivered. That deserves recognition alongside the individual performances.
Gordon averaged 4.0 yards per carry, but what stood out to me was how violently he ran. He brought physicality to his touches. Between that and Willis keeping the defensive ends honest, there were encouraging signs of the rushing identity Miami wants to establish.
Greg Dulcich also had his best game of the year. With Douglas returning and Dulcich contributing, Willis had more help in the passing game. Those contributions helped make the offense look more functional.
Miami still has plenty to prove, especially when it comes to repeating these performances. However, Sunday was a step in the right direction. A win like this is huge for a team's confidence, especially with the hard schedule the Dolphins have this year. The bigger picture still includes securing a top draft pick and building this roster, but I will always enjoy seeing Miami win against the Jets.
