Dolphins Start Strong, Fall Short in 32-20 Season Finale Loss to Jets

Miami started off their season finale by scoring the first six points of the game, but ultimately fell 32-20 to the N.Y. Jets on Sunday afternoon at MetLife Stadium.

The defense ignited Miami’s first scoring drive. On the Jets’ first offensive play from scrimmage, safety Jevón Holland deflected a pass from quarterback Aaron Rodgers that was picked off by linebacker Tyrel Dodson, marking his second interception in the last two games and his third takeaway of the season.

Kicker Jason Sanders finished off the ensuing Miami drive with a 26-yard field goal to give the Dolphins a 3-0 lead with 11:46 remaining in the first quarter. Both defenses came away with stops on their next three possessions, which led to Miami’s longest scoring drive of the game.

Starting at their own 14-yard line, Miami went 76 yards on nine plays – which included a 61-yard run by running back De’Von Achane – and ended the drive with a 28-yard field goal by Sanders to end the first quarter.

The Jets put together a strong second quarter after Miami won the initial 15 minutes of action. Touchdown drives of 79 and 39 yards, both capped off by passes from Rodgers, gave the Jets a 15-6 lead at halftime.

Following a Miami fumble on their opening drive of the second half, the Jets widened their lead to 18-6 with a 20-yard field goal by kicker Greg Joseph to end a 10-play, 47-yard drive.

Down by two possessions, the Dolphins answered with a 14-play, 78-yard scoring drive that took up 7:23 of game time. On this scoring drive, quarterback Tyler Huntley completed 5-of-7 passes for 53 yards. Achane, who finished the evening with 11 carries for 121 yards (11.0 avg.), ran in the 15-yard rushing touchdown to bring the Dolphins within five of the Jets’ lead with 14:12 remaining in the fourth quarter.

This began a streak of four consecutive scoring possessions in the final quarter.

Following a Jets touchdown, Miami answered with another touchdown of their own. Huntley found tight end Jonnu Smith in the end zone for a four-yard score with 5:21 remaining in the fourth. This gave Smith his eighth receiving touchdown of the season, which is the most by a tight end in franchise history. He now holds the single-season franchise record for receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns by a tight end.

The Jets extended their lead once more with a nine play, 70-yard touchdown drive that gave New York a 12-point lead with 2:30 left in the game.

On the evening, Huntley completed 25-of-41 passes for 227 yards (61.0 pct.), one touchdown and two interceptions, adding three carries for 16 yards (5.3 avg.).

Achane’s 121 rushing yards were a season-high and the most he’s had in a game since Week 5 of the 2023 campaign. Smith led all pass catchers with a game-high nine receptions for 56 yards (6.2 avg.) and a score. Rookie wide receiver Malik Washington caught four passes for 48 yards (12.0 avg.) and added three kickoff returns for 122 yards (40.7 avg.), including a career-high 67-yard return in the second quarter. Wide receiver Jaylen Waddle added four receptions for 44 yards (11.0 avg.), while wide receiver River Cracraft added a season-high four receptions for 38 yards (9.5 avg.).

Defensive tackle Zach Sieler ended a very productive 2024 campaign with six tackles, two quarterback hits and 1.5 sacks. Defensive tackle Calais Campbell recorded a sack of his own, while linebacker Emmanuel Ogbah added a 0.5 sack.

The Dolphins won six of their last nine games of the year, finishing the season with an 8-9 record after a 2-6 start.