The Miami Dolphins won their first game of the season, 28-25 over the New York Jets, on Sunday in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The victory was the first of Jeff Hafley’s tenure as head coach.
With a three-point lead and under two minutes left, Hafley faced a fourth-and-short decision at the Jets’ 49-yard line. He asked his offensive line what it wanted to do, and the players said they wanted to go for it. Quarterback Malik Willis followed a push from running back Ollie Gordon and fullback DJ Herman to pick up the first down and keep the clock running.
Hafley said the conversion reflected the toughness he and general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan have stressed since arriving in Miami. Miami converted three fourth downs in the game, and all of them came on drives that ended in touchdowns. The Dolphins led 21-7 at halftime and never trailed after taking a 7-0 lead on their opening drive.
Willis completed 14 of 21 passes for 208 yards and two touchdowns, and he ran for a score. Gordon has topped 85 rushing yards in three straight games while starter De’Von Achane is injured. Miami allowed 115 receiving yards to Omar Cooper Jr. and two touchdowns to tight end Mason Taylor.
The Dolphins host the New England Patriots next Sunday in their second straight divisional game.
