EAST RUTHERFORD – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Jevon Holland scored on a dazzling interception return to conclude the first half and Tyreek Hill had another standout game as the Miami Dolphins notched a 34-13 victory over the New York Jets on Friday in New Jersey.
Hill had nine receptions for 102 yards and his league-high 10th touchdown catch for Miami (8-3), the leaders of the AFC East. Tua Tagovailoa was 21-of-30 passing for 243 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Jaylen Waddle had eight catches for 114 yards and Raheem Mostert rushed for 94 yards and two scores for the Dolphins.
Tim Boyle made his first start for the Jets and completed 27 of 38 passes and 179 yards and a touchdown throw to Garrett Wilson as New York (4-7) lost its fourth consecutive game. Brandin Echols had an interception return for the Jets, who were outgained 395 yards to 159.
Boyle started due to the Jets demoting Zach Wilson. New York’s Aaron Rodgers continues to insist he will return from his Achilles injury prior to the end of the season.
Before Holland’s game-changing play, Echols intercepted Tagovailoa and returned it 30 yards for a touchdown with 58 seconds left in the first half to bring the Jets within 10-6.
Then D.J. Reed picked off Tagovailoa at the Jets’ 49-yard line with two seconds left. But all that did was set the Jets up for major heartbreak.
Boyle dropped back and made the Hail Mary throw toward the end zone but Holland caught the ball at the 1 and headed upfield. Holland navigated his way past New York offensive linemen and easily eluded Boyle near the 10 to complete the 99-yard return and give the Dolphins a 17-6 halftime advantage.
The play was a huge blow for the Jets, who were on the verge of trailing by just four points despite being outgained 214-47 in the half.
Miami tacked on a 54-yard field goal by Jason Sanders to start the third quarter and increase the lead to 14 points. The Jets ran three plays for 3 yards in the period.
New York had 50 yards entering the final stanza and Miami had an 18-2 edge in first downs.
On the opening play of the fourth quarter, Mostert scored on a 14-yard run to make it 27-6. That wrapped a 15-play, 92-yard drive that lasted 9:03.
New York’s 10th offensive touchdown of the season occurred when Boyle hit Wilson on a 1-yard throw with 4:37 remaining.
Mostert tacked on a 34-yard scoring run with 3:35 left.
Earlier, Sanders kicked a 38-yard field goal late in the first quarter and Tagovailoa tossed a 7-yard touchdown pass to Hill with 8:21 left in the first half.
–Field Level Media