The Miami Dolphins had family over on Sunday as they played host to AFC East rival New York as the winless Jets flew in to Hard Rock Stadium.
Miami jumped out quickly to a 21-0 halftime lead before blanking New York 24-0 to earn its first shut out since Nov. 2, 2014 vs the San Diego Chargers.
“I think (Defensive Coordinator) Josh (Boyer) called a great game, did a good job getting those guys ready to play, and then the players played well,” Miami head coach Brian Flores said. “We got contributions from a lot of different guys. A lot of guys made plays, and they played for 60 minutes. I’m proud of that effort.”
The Jets fall to 0-6 on the season and are the NFL’s only winless team, while the Dolphins move to 3-3 and are .500 for the first time in the Flores era.
Myles Gaskin Eclipses 100 All-Purpose Yards
Second-year running back Myles Gaskin had a career-rushing day with 91 yards on the ground on 18 carries and finished with 126 all purpose yards. Despite RB Jordan Howard being a healthy inactive for the second week in a row, Gaskin did not reach the end zone as all three of Miami’s scores came through the air to two tight ends and a wide receiver.
“Very thankful that the coaches are putting trust in me; but I think I can do a lot better personally, for myself and for this team,” Gaskin said. “I just need to keep growing, and I think I’ve been on that path, just kind of learning from my mistakes each week and just trying to get better each and every day.”
Unlikely Miami Heroes Come Up Big
Backup TE Adam Shaheen led the way for the Dolphins through the air, securing all three of his targets for a career-high 51 yards. He also scored the game’s first touchdown and has back-to-back TDs for the first time in his career. WR Jakeem Grant was the second-best receiver on the day, catching all four of his balls for 48 yards, including backup QB Tua Tagovailoa’s second completed pass of the game for the team’s only first down in the fourth quarter.
“I think we’re playing with more confidence week by week and I think it’s going to carry over. It’s a good time for a bye week with the schedule change and come back after even stronger and healthier and see what we can do toward the back half of the season,” Shaheen said.
It’s Tua Time
Tagovailoa got some playing time in his first action of his NFL career on the last drive of the game and went 2-for-2 for nine yards through the air. He came in on the team’s final drive to relieve QB Ryan Fitzpatrick who went 18-for-27 for 191 yards with the three passing scores and added two interceptions.
“To just be out there with my teammates, being my first time, and getting the support and love from them, I think that was super awesome,” Tagovailoa said. “You have a 16-year vet like ‘Fitz’ (Ryan Fitzpatrick) who has no animosity towards it, as well, who’s just been supportive the entire time. Good drive, bad drive, he comes to the sideline and just talks through his process with why he did some things. I’m very fortunate to have a mentor like him.”
Preston Williams, Durham Smythe Score TDs
WR Preston Williams and backup TE Durham Smythe accounted for Fitzpatrick’s other two TDs, both in the second quarter. Fitzpatrick also connected with Brian Poole and Marcus Maye on two forced INTs for New York.
Joe Flacco Has Abysmal Day for New York
On the other side of the ball, backup QB Joe Flacco started over an injured Sam Darnold and went 21-for-44 in the game. He passed for just 186 yards, no scores and one INT to cornerback Xavien Howard, who now leads the NFL with six so far this season.
Frank Gore Heads Backfield, Crowder Has Good Day Out of Slot
The Jets came away with 115 rushing yards as a team, as now-starter Frank Gore leading the pack with 11 attempts for 46 yards. RB Ty Johnson though averaged 14 yards per carry, albeit just three carries, granting him 42 yards to nearly catch Gore.
As expected, Jets’ WR Jamison Crowder led the Jets in receptions with seven catches for 48 yards out of the slot and WR Breshad Perriman was their leading receiver in terms of yards with 62 yards on four catches.
Miami Goes into Bye Week
Due to COVID-19, Miami’s bye week has now been moved from week 11 to week seven. The Dolphins will next be in action Nov. 1 against the Los Angeles Rams.
– Christian Chappell is a Sports Contributor for Full Press Coverage Miami Dolphins. Like and follow on Follow @cmoneypc Follow @FPC_Dolphins and Facebook.
