Dolphins overwhelm Jets and QB Tim Boyle, who throws 99-yard INT

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The Miami Dolphins saved their grip on the highest spot of the AFC East standings with a 34-13 victory over the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Friday.

The Dolphins are a sport and a half forward within the standings and hoping to win their first division title since 2008.

Miami Dolphins

The NFL’s first Black Friday sport regarded like a mismatch on paper and lived as much as the hype — or lack thereof.

The Miami Dolphins outclassed the New York Jets in basically each side of Friday’s 34-13 victory, outgaining their division rival by greater than 200 yards. The Dolphins harassed quarterback Tim Boyle all through the day, sacking him seven occasions and intercepting him twice.

A late-game harm to Jaelan Phillips despatched the sobbing linebacker again to the locker room on a cart.

Phillips suffered a noncontact leg harm halfway by the fourth quarter and was dominated out with an Achilles harm. The 2021 first-round decide performed in eight video games this season and completed with a team-high 6.5 sacks.

On the opposite aspect of the ball, it was a sport to neglect for Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who turned the ball over thrice, together with a pick-six courtesy of Jets cornerback Brandin Echols. Miami completed with 395 yards, effectively beneath its season common of 435 yards per sport, however extra regarding is its second consecutive sport with three turnovers.

Miami’s protection has rounded into kind over the previous month, however its offense is in want of a turnaround because it enters the ultimate month of the common season — particularly contemplating how a lot it struggled on the finish of the 2022 season.

The 8-3 Dolphins journey to Washington to play the Commanders subsequent week, very a lot within the working for the AFC’s prime seed with six video games remaining within the season.

Pivotal play: With two seconds remaining within the first half, the Jets intercepted Tagovailoa and tried a Hail Mary to capitalize on their newfound momentum. As an alternative, Dolphins security Jevon Holland intercepted Boyle’s go on the 1-yard line and returned it for a 99-yard landing. It took the air out of the Jets’ sideline and the sport by no means felt shut afterward.

QB breakdown: Tagovailoa was decisive and correct for probably the most half, save his interceptions on back-to-back possessions within the first half. He was additionally credited with a fumble late within the fourth quarter. His 10 interceptions in 11 video games this season have now tied a profession excessive, and that is his second multiple-interception sport of the season. Tagovailoa continuously examined the Jets’ vaunted secondary, and because of this, Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle every eclipsed 100 receiving yards. His last stat line — 21-for-30 for 243 yards, one TD and two INTs — just isn’t notably spectacular, however he did not have to do a lot for Miami to beat a free-falling Jets workforce.

Promising pattern: The Dolphins’ protection has compelled 9 turnovers in its previous 4 video games, recording 14 sacks within the course of. For the reason that return of cornerback Jalen Ramsey, this unit has lived as much as its preseason expectations — making Miami a harmful workforce to observe throughout the last stretch of the common season. — Marcel Louis-Jacques

Subsequent sport: at Washington Commanders (1 p.m. ET, Dec. 3)

New York Jets

The Jets’ quarterback change did completely nothing to spark their moribund offense, however the brand new man — Tim Boyle — did safe a spot in Jets lore.

For the incorrect motive.

Boyle’s Hail Mary on the finish of the primary half was a Hail Storm, because it was intercepted by Dolphins security Jevon Holland and returned 99 yards for a landing that symbolized the Jets’ unhappy season. The Jets (4-7) have dropped 4 straight video games, having scored 37 factors in that span.

Boyle, a profession backup who began for the ineffective Zach Wilson, was overmatched from the outset, because the offense did not cross midfield till the fourth quarter and was unsuccessful on its first eight third-down makes an attempt. Boyle handed for 179 yards and threw two interceptions, a predictable efficiency given the circumstances.

Clearly, the offensive points transcend the quarterback place. The offensive line, decimated by accidents, is damaged. The receiving corps, save for Garrett Wilson, is devoid of front-line expertise. And the playcalling by offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett is very suspect.

Coach Robert Saleh might bench Boyle and switch to Trevor Siemian, however that would not resolve something. He might return to Wilson, however the fan base would revolt. Let’s face it: It is hopeless for the Jets, who’re headed towards their thirteenth straight non-playoff season. Not even Aaron Rodgers, if he returns from his Achilles harm, can save them.

On Black Friday, the Jets went from traditionally inept to nationwide laughingstock.

Pivotal play: Twenty-nine years in the past this weekend, the Jets and Dolphins gave us the Pretend Spike. This time, it was a Hail Mary that went haywire — the primary pick-six on a Hail Mary since ESPN Stats & Info began monitoring Hail Mary performs in 2006.

It was the right storm. Three huge receivers and a decent finish went deep, leaving Boyle, working again Breece Corridor and the offensive linemen in place to make the sort out. It was a comedy of misses, as no fewer than six gamers made feeble makes an attempt to convey down Holland.

The Jets have endured many inglorious moments of their star-crossed historical past. Let’s name this one a distant cousin of the Butt Fumble.

Troubling pattern: The shortage of playmakers at huge receiver is evident. Allen Lazard, who signed a four-year, $44 million contract in free company, was a wholesome scratch after 10 unproductive video games. That left Garrett Wilson, graybeard Randall Cobb and a bunch of former undrafted free brokers — a failing of the entrance workplace. Cobb performed 4 offensive snaps.

Troubling pattern 2.0: Corridor, one of many league’s most dynamic gamers by October, has disappeared. Previously six video games, he has rushed for 182 yards — the byproduct of an ineffective offensive line. And not using a working sport, the quarterback (whoever it’s) has no probability. The Jets began their eighth totally different offensive line mixture — a recipe for catastrophe. — Wealthy Cimini

Subsequent sport: vs. Atlanta Falcons (1 p.m. ET, Thursday, Dec. 3)