For the second straight game the Miami Dolphins held a double-digit lead, but this time, the results were different.
This time, the Dolphins finally picked up a win in the 2019 season under new head coach Brian Flores in their 26-18 defeat of their division-rival, the New York Jets, and former head coach Adam Gase.
“It’s definitely been a little time but we put the work in each and every week. We go to work, we go to practice every week and work hard as hell and it paid off today,” safety Bobby McCain said.
Fitzpatrick sets record
The waves of Ryan “Fitzmagic” resurfaced, especially during the second quarter, as he became just the third quarterback this season to throw for three scores in one quarter. Two of those TDs went to undrafted rookie wide receiver Preston Williams for receptions of 12 and 5 yards respectively. Fitzpatrick also found fifth-year wideout DeVante Parker for a 17-yard score. Fitzpatrick finished the game going 24-for-36 with 288 passing yards and his three TDs.
“I just think the message that’s been being preached about continuing to work and our coaches are putting in so much time and effort into our game plans and guys buying in, I think this only helps that,” Fitzpatrick said.
The Jets struggles continue
Miami has really had the Jets’ number recently as the Dolphins have now won four straight over their division rival. As for Jets QB Sam Darnold, he finished 27-for-39 with 260 yards and an early lone TD to WR Jamison Crowder. Crowder finished the game with eight catches for 83 yards and the score.
For Darnold, his struggles continue, as he threw another interception, giving him at least one pick in four of five games he has played this year as his season total climbs to nine. The positive for Darnold though? He only had one. Darnold had four TDs against New England and three against Jacksonville.
Are RB’s even employed in Miami?
The running game of Miami continues to be a head-scratcher as the running back unit finished with 24 carriers for only 50 yards. Lead back Mark Walton led the way with 12 carriers for 29 yards, but as of Monday he is now suspended for the next four games for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.
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Le’Veon Bell: Still no answers to Dolphins rush defense
The Jets were led by Bell on the ground who had 17 carriers for 66 yards. This marks the second regular season game in Bell’s career that he has had no answers for the Dolphins’ run defense. When he was a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Bell had less than 40 yards against a 1-4 Miami team in 2016.
New positives for Dolphins
Second year Dolphin tight end Mike Gesicki had a career day as he finished with six receptions for 95 yards.
“I think it (the win) helps (us) going forward (and) just gives us a little kick in the butt a little bit, some extra energy and all that but like I said the last few weeks of practice it just felt like this was coming,” Fitzpatrick said. “ (In)Buffalo we got off to good start, Pittsburgh we got off to a good start, but this one here was more a complete game by our team and sometimes you have to learn how to win and today was a day that we did that a little bit.”
Sorry, this Gatorade isn’t for drinking
The Dolphins celebrated the win with a Gatorade bath as if they won the Super Bowl, as multiple players dunked Flores as the game clock expired. Miami will look to make a winning streak as it heads into Indianapolis in week 10 with a Colts team who will be without top starting WR T.Y. Hilton and possibly starting QB Jacoby Brissett.
“We’ve been planning it (the Gatorade bath) for a while, honestly. We just said whenever ‘Flo’ gets his first win, we’re definitely going to Gatorade bath him. I know it doesn’t seem like much – we got our first win – but it means a lot and definitely for ‘Flo.’ It’s something he’ll remember,” defensive tackle Christian Wilkins said.
– Carl Mahler is a Sports Contributor for Full Press Coverage Miami Dolphins. Like and follow on Follow @C3Mahler Follow @FPC_Dolphins and Facebook.