Dolphins Beat the Jets In Ugly Game, Clinch Playoff Spot – Game Takeaways

Well, the Miami Dolphins did it.

The Fins won and are in the playoffs for the first time since the 2016 season.

Despite a roller coaster of a season, which included both winning and losing streaks, Miami won when it mattered. Enough rambling about the playoffs. Let’s talk about the game.

Jason Sanders had a masterclass of a game, as he kicked three field goals to push the Miami Dolphins past the New York Jets and into the playoffs with an UGLY final score of 11-6. It should have been 9-6 for the memes but that’s fair. Here are my immediate takeaways.

1. Jason Sanders is still Mr. Clutch.

One of the reasons why the Dolphins lost last week’s game in Foxboro is because Jason Sanders missed a field goal.

He took it to heart Sunday as he did not miss a single field goal. He made two 37 yard field goals, and then put the 50 yard game-winner right down the hash marks with 18 seconds left.

Jets kicker Greg Zuerlein made 2-of-3 field goals, making it from 32 and 35 yards, while missing from 50.

2. Dolphins running game went rampant, passing game struggled.

Once again, it was announced that rookie third-string QB Skylar Thompson would start on Sunday. And he performed as any rookie backup would, completing 20-of-31 passes for 152 yards. Tight end Mike Gesicki led the team with four receptions for 46 yards, while Jaylen Waddle had five receptions for 44 yards and Durham Smythe had three receptions for 39 yards.

But who really stepped up for the Dolphins on Sunday was their running game.

Jeff Wilson led the way with 16 carries for 72 yards. He had multiple clutch runs, including two runs that led to a first down on fourth down.

Before he suffered a thumb injury, starting RB Raheem Mostert played well, recording 11 carries for 71 yards.

3. Garrett Wilson and the defense are the two bright spots for the green squad.

The Jets also played with a backup QB on Sunday, and that was former Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco. Like Thompson, Flacco had some up and down moments, overall finishing with 18-of-33 completed passes for 149 yards.

Potential OROTY Garrett Wilson made Flacco look like his old Baltimore self at times, as Wilson caught some nice passes, and overall ended with nine receptions for 89 yards.

The Jets also played well on defense, led by Quincy Williams, who had 10 total tackles and the Jets’ only sack.

4. Playoff Picture

With the Dolphins win and the Patriots loss against the Bills, it is official: the Dolphins will be headed back to Buffalo for a Wild Card matchup on Sunday at 1 PM.

The Dolphins will look to win their first playoff game since 2000, the longest drought in the AFC. 

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