Dolphins overwhelm Jets and QB Tim Boyle, who throws 99-yard INT

In East Rutherford, New Jersey, the Miami Dolphins secured their position at the top of the AFC East standings by defeating the New York Jets 34-13 at MetLife Stadium on Friday. With a one-and-a-half-game lead in the standings, the Dolphins are aiming to clinch their first division title since 2008.

Miami Dolphins

In the NFL's inaugural Black Friday game, the Miami Dolphins demonstrated a clear superiority over the New York Jets, securing a decisive 34-13 victory that reflected the pre-game expectations. The Dolphins dominated nearly every aspect, outperforming their division rival by over 200 yards. The defensive prowess was evident as they relentlessly pressured quarterback Tim Boyle, resulting in seven sacks and two interceptions.

The game, however, took a somber turn with a late injury to Jaelan Phillips, who left the field in tears on a cart. Phillips sustained a noncontact leg injury in the fourth quarter, diagnosed as an Achilles injury, marking the end of his impactful season with a team-high 6.5 sacks in eight games.

On the offensive front, Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa had a forgettable performance, turning the ball over three times, including a pick-six by Jets cornerback Brandin Echols. Despite finishing with 395 yards, below their season average, the more pressing concern is the team's consecutive games with three turnovers.

While the Dolphins' defense has shown improvement over the past month, the offense faces a critical juncture as the regular season's final month approaches, especially considering its struggles in the latter part of the 2022 season.

Looking ahead, the 8-3 Dolphins will travel to Washington to face the Commanders next week, still firmly in contention for the AFC's top seed with six games remaining in the season.

A pivotal moment occurred just before halftime when, with two seconds left, the Jets intercepted Tagovailoa, attempting a Hail Mary to capitalize on the momentum. However, Dolphins safety Jevon Holland intercepted Boyle's pass at the 1-yard line, returning it for a 99-yard touchdown. This play deflated the Jets' sideline, and the game never felt competitive thereafter.

Quarterback Analysis: Tagovailoa displayed decisiveness and accuracy for the most part, barring his back-to-back interceptions in the first half and a credited fumble in the late fourth quarter. With 10 interceptions in 11 games this season, he has matched a career high, marking his second multi-interception game of the year. Despite challenging the Jets' formidable secondary, Tagovailoa facilitated Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle both surpassing 100 receiving yards. While his final stats—21-for-30, 243 yards, one TD, and two INTs—may not dazzle, he didn't need an extraordinary performance to secure a victory against the struggling Jets.

Positive Development: The Dolphins' defense has been on an upswing, forcing nine turnovers in the last four games and tallying 14 sacks. Since cornerback Jalen Ramsey's return, the unit has met preseason expectations, positioning Miami as a formidable team to watch in the crucial final stretch of the regular season. — Marcel Louis-Jacques

Upcoming Match: The Dolphins will face the Washington Commanders on December 3 at 1 p.m. ET.

New York Jets

The quarterback switch for the Jets failed to ignite their stagnant offense, with the new addition, Tim Boyle, making an indelible mark in Jets history for all the wrong reasons. Boyle's attempted Hail Mary at the close of the first half transformed into a Hail Storm, resulting in an interception by Dolphins safety Jevon Holland, who returned it for a 99-yard touchdown—a symbolic representation of the Jets' dismal season. With four consecutive losses and a mere 37 points scored in that stretch, the Jets (4-7) find themselves in a challenging slump.

Boyle, typically a career backup, stepped in for the struggling Zach Wilson and faced challenges right from the start. The offense struggled to advance beyond midfield until the fourth quarter, and the initial eight third-down attempts proved unsuccessful. With 179 passing yards and two interceptions, Boyle's performance was somewhat predictable given the circumstances.

Evidently, the offensive struggles extend beyond the quarterback position. The injury-ridden offensive line is in disarray, the receiving corps lacks top-tier talent aside from Garrett Wilson, and there are concerns about the questionable playcalling by offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett.

While Coach Robert Saleh has the option to bench Boyle in favor of Trevor Siemian or revert to Wilson, neither solution seems to address the broader issues. Facing their 13th consecutive non-playoff season, the Jets appear to be in a dire situation, and even the potential return of Aaron Rodgers from his Achilles injury wouldn't guarantee salvation.

On Black Friday, the Jets transitioned from historically inept to a national laughingstock.

Key Moment: In a noteworthy turn of events, the Jets and Dolphins, known for the "Fake Spike" 29 years ago, experienced a Hail Mary gone awry—marking the first pick-six on a Hail Mary since ESPN Stats & Information began tracking such plays in 2006.

It unfolded as a perfect storm, with three wide receivers and a tight end going deep, leaving Boyle, running back Breece Hall, and the offensive linemen in a position to make the tackle. However, it turned into a comedic sequence of misses, involving at least six players with feeble attempts to bring down Holland.

Adding to the Jets' history of inglorious moments, this episode could be considered a distant relative of the infamous Butt Fumble.

Noteworthy Concern: The evident lack of playmakers in the wide receiver position is concerning. Despite signing a four-year, $44 million contract in free agency, Allen Lazard was a healthy scratch after 10 unproductive games. This left Garrett Wilson, veteran Randall Cobb, and a group of former undrafted free agents, exposing a front office shortcoming. Cobb saw limited action with only four offensive snaps.

Additional Worry: Hall, once one of the league's most dynamic players through October, has mysteriously vanished. In the last six games, he managed only 182 rushing yards, attributed to an ineffective offensive line. The absence of a running game creates challenges for the quarterback, whoever that may be. The Jets started their eighth different offensive line combination—a recipe for disaster. — Rich Cimini

Upcoming Match: The Jets will face the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday, December 3, at 1 p.m. ET.