EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Teams are either the hammer or the nail and the Jets have been the nail in AFC East divisional play the last two seasons.
Sunday was an opportunity to change that as Gang Green played its first divisional game of the season against the Miami Dolphins.
Not only did the Jets snap their dreadful streak, they made a statement in the process.
Jets (3-2) routed the Dolphins (3-2) 40-17 on a clear, sunny day at MetLife Stadium. This was the first time the Jets scored at least 40 points in a game since Oct. 14, 2018. Sunday was also the first time since 1993 Gang Green scored five rushing touchdowns in a game.
In his second game back from his meniscus and bone bruise injuries that he suffered during the preseason, Zach Wilson completed 14 of 21 passes for 210 yards. He also rushed for a five-yard touchdown.
A week after winning the Pepsi Zero Rookie of the Week, Jets running back Breece Hall finished with 197 all-purpose yards and a touchdown. Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert ran for 113 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries.
Entering Sunday, the Jets had lost their last 12 games in AFC East divisional play. Gang Green’s last victory over an AFC East opponent was on Dec. 30, 2019 against the Buffalo Bills. This was also the first time the Jets defeated the Dolphins since Dec. 14, 2019.
Penalties really hurt the Dolphins as they had 10 of them for 87 yards. The Jets also held the Dolphins to 166 passing yards.
After punter Braden Mann pinned the Dolphins back after the Jets first drive stalled, Miami began the drive on its eight-yard line. Then on the first play from scrimmage, Ahmad Sauce Gardner blitzed Teddy Bridgewater, forcing him to throw the ball away in the end zone. The Dolphins were called for intentional grounding and the Jets were awarded two points after the officials called a safety.
Shortly after that, Bridgewater left the game with a head and elbow injury as rookie seventh round pick Skyler Thompson replaced him under center. The Dolphins were already without starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who suffered a concussion in the team’s last game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Greg Zuerlein added a 34-yard field goal that extended the Jets lead to 5-0. Right before the end of the first quarter, the crowd erupted when Hall took a 79-yard reception down to the Dolphins one-yard line. That set up Michael Carter’s one-yard touchdown that gave the Jets a 12-0 advantage.
Miami finally got on the board with 9:55 left before halftime. The Dolphins responded to the Jets touchdown with an eight-play, 48-yard drive that ended with Mostert’s 12-yard touchdown that cut the Jets’ deficit to 12-7.
Following a Jets punt, Gardner got the first interception of his career as he stepped in front of a Thompson pass intended for River Cracraft on Gang Green’s 47-yard line. That set up a short field which allowed the Jets to score another touchdown on nine plays and 53-yards after Wilson found the end zone on a five-yard scramble that put them up 19-7.
Before halftime, the Dolphins cut the Jets lead to 19-14 after Thompson to Mostert’s nine-yard reception set up a direct snap one-yard touchdown to tight end Durham Smythe.
Miami got the ball after halftime, the Dolphins added a 46-yard field goal by Jason Sanders that cut the Jets lead to 19-17.
Just like a week ago against the Steelers, the Jets turned their game up in the fourth quarter. First it was a seven-play, 56-yard drive that ended in Carter’s second touchdown of the game. Then once the Dolphins got the ball back, defensive end Carl Lawson stripped Thompson on their 17-yard line and Quinnen Williams recovered the ball and ran to the five-yard line.
That set up a Hall five-yard touchdown run that gave the Jets a 33-17 lead. Gang Green finally put the cherry on top with Braxton Berrios’ 15-yard touchdown which extended the blowout to 40-17.
Coming into this game, the Jets have ranked in the top 10 league-wide in several categories, including points (fifth - 9.25), yards per play (sixth - 6.09), completion percentage (sixth - 65.8%) and passing touchdowns (second with four).
The Jets will travel to Green Bay to take on the Packers. That will be the first of two consecutive games on the road. Miami will return home to Hard Rock Stadium as it will host the Minnesota Vikings.
