MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The Dolphins (10-4) rolled past the Jets (5-8) 30-0 behind two touchdowns by running back Raheem Mostert, three Jason Sanders field goals and a stellar defensive effort.
Sunday’s loss ensures the Jets will have a losing season for the eighth consecutive season. The last time Gang Green registered a winning record was in 2015, when it finished 10-6.
The Dolphins also swept the Jets for the second time in three seasons. Miami won both meetings with Gang Green in 2021.
After what Robert Saleh called his best performance in a Jets uniform against the Texans, Zach Wilson played in his second consecutive game after he was renamed the team’s starting quarterback after a two-week benching. In a 30-6 victory against Houston, Wilson completed 27 of 36 passes for 301 yards and two touchdowns.
But the third-year player had a rough go against a Dolphins pass rush that was third in sacks entering the game. Wilson completed 4 of 11 passes for 26 yards and was sacked four times. Miami generated consistent pressure in Wilson’s face the entire afternoon.
He left the game and was taken to the locker room late in the second quarter because of “hydration,” according to the team. Then it was changed to what was described as a head injury, but the team initially said he was not placed in concussion protocol.
But the Jets ruled Wilson out late in the fourth quarter with a concussion.
Trevor Siemian replaced Wilson but wasn’t able to get anything going offensively. He completed 14 of 26 passes for 110 yards and two interceptions.
Breece Hall rushed for 12 yards on six carries. Garrett Wilson was basically a non-factor after recording three catches for 29 yards.
The Jets had just four total yards to end the first half. They finished with 103 yards for the entire game compared to 288 for the Dolphins.
Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins had a much better day offensively despite star receiver Tyreek Hill (ankle) inactive. He completed 21 of 24 passes for 224 yards and a touchdown.
Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle finished with eight catches for 142 yards, including a 60-yard touchdown. Mostert chipped in with 42 rushing yards on 15 carries, and two touchdowns. He now owns the Dolphins single-season franchise record for rushing touchdowns (18) and overall touchdowns (20).
Sunday’s game can be summed up as a series of unfortunate events for the Jets. On their first offensive drive of the afternoon, Jets quarterback Zach Wilson was stripped by Bradley Chubb after he beat Mekhi Becton on the play. Dolphins defensive tackle Zach Sieler recovered the ball at the Jets’ four, which later set up Mostert’s one-yard touchdown.
Then, in the second quarter, on the first play of that drive, Tagovailoa completed a 60-yard touchdown pass to Waddle with D.J. Reed in coverage. Waddle’s touchdown increased Miami’s lead to 17-0. Miami’s third touchdown of the day was a one-yard touchdown run by Mostert with 1:03 left in the second quarter.
Entering Sunday’s action, the Jets had a 0.2% chance to make the playoffs according to ESPN’s Football Power Index and were 13th in the AFC Standings. But the loss to the Dolphins all but ends the Jets’ playoff dreams.
Gang Green was holding out hope that Aaron Rodgers would return this season after he suffered an Achilles injury in Week 1 against the Bills on Sept. 11. On Nov. 29, the Jets opened Rodgers’ 21-day practice window when he was cleared for some, but not all football activities. He has recently ramped up his rehab regimen, and Saleh called Rodgers’ progress “unbelievable” recently.
On Saturday night, NFL Network and ESPN both reported Rodgers is likely to be medically cleared to play next week against the Commanders. But that doesn’t necessarily mean he will play in the Christmas Eve game or again this season.
The Jets and Rodgers both need to discuss the next course of action. The four-time MVP told reporters earlier this month that it wouldn’t make much sense to return if the Jets don’t have a chance to make the playoffs.
The Jets have until Wednesday, Dec. 20, to either place Rodgers on the 53-man roster or he will revert back to injury reserve and miss the rest of the season.
The Jets will return to MetLife Stadium next week on Christmas Eve for their final home game of the season against the Commanders. The Dolphins will host the Cowboys.
