The New York Jets’ slim playoff hopes were officially extinguished on Sunday, courtesy of a heartbreaking overtime loss to the Miami Dolphins. This marks a record 14th consecutive season without a playoff appearance for the Jets, the longest current drought in all of the major professional sports leagues in America.
The Jets’ struggles this season have been well-documented, with a combination of poor offense and underwhelming defense being the primary culprits. Despite a mid-season coaching change, which saw Robert Saleh fired and replaced by a new staff, the Jets have continued to struggle. They have now lost nine of their last ten games, a dismal stretch that has all but mathematically eliminated them from playoff contention.
Sunday’s loss to the Dolphins was a particularly bitter pill for the Jets to swallow. Despite leading for much of the second half, they were unable to hold off a late Dolphins rally. Miami tied the game with a field goal in the final minute of regulation, and then won it in overtime with a touchdown pass from Tua Tagovailoa to Jonnu Smith.
The Dolphins’ victory was a crucial one, as it kept their own playoff hopes alive. Miami is now 6-7 on the season, and while they still face an uphill climb to make the postseason, they remain in the hunt. Tagovailoa was outstanding on Sunday, completing 33 of 47 passes for 331 yards and two touchdowns.
Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle were Tagovailoa’s favorite targets on Sunday, combining for 19 catches and 214 receiving yards. Hill also scored a touchdown, his first in several weeks. The Dolphins’ rushing attack, on the other hand, was largely nonexistent. They managed just 44 total rushing yards, with De’Von Achane accounting for 24 of those.
The Jets, meanwhile, were led by Aaron Rodgers, who had his best game of the season. Rodgers completed 27 of 39 passes for 339 yards and a touchdown, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Dolphins’ late rally. Garrett Wilson and Davante Adams were Rodgers’ top targets, combining for 16 catches and 223 receiving yards.
The Jets’ rushing attack was also largely ineffective, with rookie running backs Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis combining for just 83 rushing yards. Davis did score his first career rushing touchdown, but it wasn’t enough to spark a Jets victory.
The Dolphins will look to build on their momentum next week, when they travel to Houston to face the Texans. Miami will need to win out if they hope to have any chance of making the playoffs, and their upcoming schedule is filled with tough opponents.
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