Malik Willis and Caleb Douglas Deliver Dolphins’ First Win in 28–25 Jets Escape

Miami finally gets the breakthrough

The Miami Dolphins ended their season-opening five-game losing streak with a 28–25 road win over the New York Jets on Sunday. Returning from a bye at 0–5, Miami scored touchdowns on its first two drives and led for the first time all season. The victory moved the Dolphins to 1–5, while the Jets slipped to 2–5 after losing five of their last six. ^{[1] [2] [3]}

Quarterback Malik Willis gave Miami a balanced answer at a moment when the offense needed one. He completed 14 of 21 passes for 208 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions, while adding 37 rushing yards and a score on eight carries. The Dolphins’ 156 rushing yards overall helped protect the lead late and meant the comeback effort could not rely on a single explosive pass. ^{[2] [3]}

Caleb Douglas turns a return into a game-changing day

Rookie wide receiver Caleb Douglas was the defining target, catching two passes for 70 yards and two touchdowns. He opened Miami’s scoring with a seven-yard grab, then broke free for a 63-yard touchdown with 4:55 left in the fourth quarter, stretching the lead to 28–17. Douglas had missed the Dolphins’ previous three games with an ankle injury, making his return immediately consequential. ^{[1] [2] [3]}

Ollie Gordon II supplied the steady foundation beneath the passing scores, carrying 25 times for 103 yards and a touchdown. Willis’ own two-yard quarterback sneak on fourth-and-one helped Miami close the game, and Gordon added a 14-yard gain on the same clock-draining possession. The combination of designed quarterback movement and a productive run game let Miami answer the Jets’ late pressure with first downs rather than a risky exchange of passes. ^{[2] [3]}

New York rallies, but the final possession belongs to Miami

The Jets made the finish uncomfortable. Geno Smith completed 23 of 30 passes for 287 yards, three touchdowns and an interception, with tight end Mason Taylor catching five passes for 62 yards and two scores. New York cut the margin to 28–25 on a two-point conversion with 3:24 remaining, but Miami converted a pair of first downs after the ensuing kickoff and kept the ball away until time expired. ^{[2] [3]}

Garrett Wilson finished with two receptions for 26 yards on three targets, a quiet line on a day when Omar Cooper Jr. led the Jets with 115 receiving yards and a touchdown. Wilson’s limited production did not prevent the late rally, but New York’s earlier deficit left little room for error. Miami’s first two scoring drives and its closing possession proved more decisive than the Jets’ final-quarter surge. ^[3]

The result gives Miami a much-needed foothold before it returns home to host New England on Nov. 1. The Jets also stay at MetLife next Sunday, when Las Vegas visits. The divisional rematch is scheduled for Nov. 29 in Miami, so Sunday’s narrow escape could matter again when the AFC East rivals meet later in the season. ^{[4] [5]}