MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — In a thrilling overtime finish, Tua Tagovailoa delivered a 10-yard touchdown pass to Jonnu Smith, leading the Miami Dolphins to a 32-26 victory over the New York Jets on Sunday. This win marked the Dolphins’ ninth consecutive triumph against the Jets in Miami, as Tagovailoa pushed his team down the field with efficiency and determination, overcoming a significant performance from Aaron Rodgers, who achieved his first 300-yard passing game in nearly three years.
With just seven seconds remaining in regulation, Jason Sanders successfully converted a 42-yard field goal to tie the game, setting up an exciting finish. The struggling Jets, now eliminated from playoff contention for the 14th year running, initially took a late lead with a 42-yard field goal from Anders Carlson with only 52 seconds on the clock. However, a tremendous 45-yard kickoff return by Malik Washington positioned the Dolphins favorably, enabling Sanders to force overtime.
Tagovailoa put together a solid performance, completing 33 of 47 passes for a total of 331 yards along with two touchdowns. His precise passing was highlighted by a near-perfect drive that resulted in Smith’s fourth touchdown of the season, during which the quarterback recorded only one incomplete pass. Notably, Smith had not caught a pass before turning in three receptions for 44 yards in the decisive drive.
On the other side, Rodgers completed 27 of 39 passes for 339 yards, breaking a streak of 34 regular-season games without surpassing 300 yards, dating back to December 12, 2021, while he was still with the Green Bay Packers. He connected with Davante Adams for a 3-yard touchdown in the third quarter, achieving a significant milestone as the duo now shares the honor of having the fourth-most touchdown connections by a quarterback-receiver pair in NFL history.
Adams was also a standout for the Jets, finishing the game with nine catches for 109 yards. The Dolphins entered the fourth quarter trailing but managed to tie the game when Tagovailoa threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to Tyreek Hill, followed by a successful two-point conversion caught by Jaylen Waddle. Hill had an impressive game, hauling in 10 passes for 115 yards, while Waddle added nine catches for 99 yards.
The Jets had previously managed to secure a 20-15 lead in the third quarter with Adams’ touchdown, which was set up by a critical 42-yard reception from Garrett Wilson. However, a possible shift in momentum came when the Jets extended their lead to eight points with a 40-yard field goal from Carlson.
This matchup featured a showdown between the Jets’ top-ranked pass defense and Tagovailoa, the NFL’s most precise passer, alongside the Dolphins’ ninth-ranked pass defense against the veteran Rodgers, who has faced criticism for his performance this season. Both quarterbacks showcased their skills, and early in the game, both teams were successful on their initial drives, scoring on the first three possessions.
In the first half, Tagovailoa recorded only three incompletions and was instrumental in moving the Dolphins into field goal range quickly. Sanders matched his personal best with a 57-yard field goal during a fast-paced two-minute drill before halftime. He also converted two additional field goals of 39 and 24 yards, while De’Von Achane scored a rushing touchdown on the Dolphins’ opening drive.
Rodgers was also productive for the Jets, leading them into the Miami red zone three times in the first half, culminating in a touchdown from Isaiah Davis and two successful field goals from Carlson. Wilson emerged as a key target for Rodgers, catching seven passes for 114 yards.
As for injuries, the Jets experienced some setbacks with right tackle Morgan Moses suffering a wrist injury during warmups and subsequently being replaced by Max Mitchell. The Dolphins also faced injury concerns as left tackle Terron Armstead left early due to a knee issue while wide receiver Dee Eskridge and linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. were sidelined by knee and hamstring injuries, respectively.
Looking ahead, the Jets will face off against the Jacksonville Jaguars next Sunday while the Dolphins will visit the Houston Texans.
