Sports
Miami ends winless start with 28-25 road victory over New York
The Dolphins earned their first win of the season Sunday, holding off a late Jets rally at MetLife Stadium. Malik Willis accounted for three touchdowns, and Caleb Douglas caught two scoring passes in his return from an ankle injury.
NEW JERSEY — The Miami Dolphins snapped a six-game losing streak Sunday, defeating the New York Jets 28-25 at MetLife Stadium for their first win of the season and the first NFL victory for coach Jeff Hafley.
Miami took a 21-7 halftime lead, then held on after New York scored twice in the second half and converted a two-point try to make it a three-point game. The Dolphins leaned on their running game late, with quarterback Malik Willis converting a fourth-and-1 sneak on the final drive to help secure the win.
Willis finished 14 of 21 for 208 yards, two passing touchdowns and one rushing score, with no interceptions. Running back Ollie Gordon II carried 25 times for 103 yards and a touchdown. Rookie receiver Caleb Douglas, back after missing three games with an ankle injury, caught two passes for 70 yards, both for touchdowns.
Miami opened the game with a 76-yard drive capped by a Willis touchdown pass to Douglas. The Jets answered when Geno Smith hit tight end Mason Taylor for a 13-yard score, tying the game at 7.
Gordon’s 1-yard touchdown run put the Dolphins back in front, and rookie safety Michael Taaffe later intercepted Smith to give Miami another opportunity. The defense also forced a punt after defensive lineman Zeek Biggers knocked down a pass at the line.
The Dolphins then drove 91 yards from their own 9-yard line, using nearly nine minutes. Willis kept the drive alive with a 5-yard scramble on fourth-and-2 and finished it with a 2-yard touchdown run with less than 10 seconds left in the half.
New York’s second-half comeback began after a missed 40-yard field goal. Smith connected with Omar Cooper Jr. for a 60-yard gain, and Cooper finished the drive with a touchdown. The Jets later cut Miami’s lead to 21-17 with a field goal.
After Miami’s offense stalled, Willis struck with a 63-yard touchdown pass to Douglas, his second scoring catch of the day. Smith and Taylor responded with a touchdown and a successful two-point conversion, bringing New York within 28-25.
Smith completed 23 of 30 passes for 287 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Cooper had five catches for 115 yards and a touchdown, while Taylor caught five passes for 62 yards and two scores. Jets running back Braelon Allen gained 104 yards on 17 carries and added six catches for 30 yards.
Miami improved to 1-6 and will host New England next Sunday at 4:25 p.m. Eastern. The Jets, now 2-5, are scheduled to host Las Vegas at 1 p.m.