Dolphins Rally to Beat Jets 28-25 for First Win of Season
The Miami Dolphins defeated the New York Jets 28-25 at MetLife Stadium on Oct. 25, 2026, securing the club’s first win of the season. The victory also marked the first NFL head-coaching win for Jeff Hafley, achieved in his home state of New Jersey. Miami closed out the game with a crucial fourth-and-1 conversion and then ran out the clock to preserve the three-point margin.
Miami moved the ball efficiently on its opening series, mixing the run and pass to drive inside the red zone. Quarterback Malik Willis connected with wide receiver Malik Washington for 12 yards and running back Ollie Gordon II broke loose for a 25-yard run. Tight end Greg Dulcich caught a 32-yard pass to set up Willis’ 7-yard touchdown throw to Caleb Douglas, and kicker Zane Gonzalez added the extra point.
The Jets answered early when quarterback Geno Smith completed a 52-yard pass to Omar Cooper Jr., and Smith later found Mason Taylor for a 13-yard scoring toss to tie the game. Miami then benefited from a 39-yard kickoff return by Jaylen Wright that set up another sustained drive, which included a fourth-and-1 conversion and a 1-yard touchdown run by Gordon II. A Michael Taaffe interception halted a New York push later in the first half, and the teams traded punts before halftime.
Miami finished the first half with a 15-play, 91-yard march highlighted by multiple Dulcich gains, and Willis added a second rushing touchdown before the break. The Dolphins defense limited the Jets to one drive longer than four plays in the opening half while holding New York to 28 rushing yards and 86 passing yards. Defensive lineman Zeek Biggers recorded a pass deflection, and the unit entered the locker room with momentum.
The second half featured a tightened game as New York battled back. A 60-yard completion to Cooper Jr. set up a short touchdown that trimmed the margin, and later in the quarter the Jets drove to the goal line before Miami’s defensive line — including Zach Sieler and Josh Uche — helped force a 33-yard field goal. Edge Chop Robinson finished the goal-line stand with a 12-yard sack to keep New York out of the end zone on that series.
With six minutes remaining, Willis struck deep to Caleb Douglas for a 63-yard touchdown, giving Miami a 28-17 lead after Gonzalez’s extra point. The Jets responded with a late drive that included a 41-yard completion to Isaiah Davis and a 12-yard touchdown pass to Mason Taylor; New York converted a two-point attempt to make it 28-25. Miami sealed the victory by converting a key fourth-and-1 on a Willis quarterback keeper and running out the final two minutes.
Willis completed 14 of 21 passes for 208 yards, threw two touchdowns and finished with a passer rating of 130.7 while adding 37 rushing yards and a score. Gordon II led the ground game with 25 carries for 103 yards and a touchdown, Dulcich had five catches for 86 yards, and Douglas turned two receptions into two touchdowns for 70 yards. Inside linebacker Jordyn Brooks paced the defense with nine tackles, and the unit combined for 55 tackles and six quarterback hits. The Dolphins return home to Hard Rock Stadium to host the New England Patriots on Sunday, Nov. 1, at 4:25 p.m.
NFL Sports Blog Take
Miami displayed a balanced offensive attack and complementary defense in a win that snapped its early-season skid and provided Jeff Hafley his first victory as an NFL head coach. Malik Willis showed efficiency with a 66.7 completion rate and two scores, while Ollie Gordon II delivered a consistent ground presence with a 100-yard performance. The defense delivered several timely stops, including a goal-line stand in the second half, helping the Dolphins withstand New York’s late rally. Sustaining the run-pass balance and maintaining defensive pressure will be key as Miami prepares for a divisional rematch at home next week.