The Jets spent the second half proving they could move the ball on Miami. The problem was the first half, when they let a team that had not won all season build a two-touchdown lead it never gave back.
The Miami Dolphins beat the New York Jets 28–25 at MetLife Stadium on October 25, 2026, for their first win of the season. Miami led 21–7 at halftime, and the Jets’ comeback stalled on a failed goal-line possession and a 63-yard Dolphins touchdown. The Jets are 2–5.
It is the Jets’ second straight loss after the 26–19 defeat at New England, and it came against an opponent the Jets-Dolphins Week 7 preview described as winless. It was also Miami head coach Jeff Hafley’s first NFL win, per the Dolphins.
How did Miami take control in the first half?
By scoring on almost every possession. Malik Willis hit Caleb Douglas for a 7-yard touchdown on Miami’s first drive. The Jets answered right away: Geno Smith found Omar Cooper Jr. for 52 yards and then Mason Taylor for a 13-yard score to tie it 7–7.
After that, the Dolphins controlled the ball. Ollie Gordon II scored from a yard out late in the first quarter after a fourth-and-1 conversion, and Willis scrambled in from 2 yards with 12 seconds left in the half for a 21–7 lead. In between, safety Michael Taaffe intercepted Smith after the Jets reached the Miami 21.
Why did the Jets’ comeback fall short?
Two drives that ended without touchdowns. Jason Sanders’ field-goal attempt on the Jets’ opening third-quarter drive hit the right upright, per the Dolphins’ recap. Cooper caught a 3-yard touchdown later in the quarter to cut it to 21–14.
Then the Jets reached first-and-goal at the Miami 1. Andrew Beck lost a yard, Braelon Allen lost a yard, and Chop Robinson sacked Smith for a 12-yard loss. Sanders kicked a 33-yard field goal with 9:01 left to make it 21–17. Miami answered with Willis’ 63-yard touchdown pass to Douglas on a quick throw, and the score held.
Taylor’s 12-yard touchdown and two-point catch with 3:30 left made it 28–25. Miami got the ball back with 3:17 to go, converted a fourth-and-1 on a Willis keeper inside the final two minutes, and ran out the clock.
What worked for the Jets on offense?
The passing game, once it got the chance. Geno Smith completed 23 of 30 passes for 287 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Mason Taylor caught both touchdowns, the second on a jump ball, plus the two-point conversion — his first career two-touchdown game, per the club.
Omar Cooper Jr. caught five passes for 115 yards and a score, his second straight 100-yard game with a touchdown. Allen ran 17 times for 104 yards with Breece Hall inactive for a third straight game with a quad injury. The Jets outgained Miami 377 yards to 360 but had the ball for 25:24 to Miami’s 34:36.
Where did the defense struggle?
Against the run and on the edges of the field. Miami ran 41 times for 156 yards, with Gordon carrying 25 times for 103 yards and a touchdown. Willis completed 14 of 21 passes for 208 yards and two touchdowns and added 37 rushing yards, and Douglas turned two catches into 70 yards and two scores. Safety Dane Belton led the Jets with nine tackles.
What did Aaron Glenn say after the loss?
He took the blame for the first half. Glenn, who calls the defensive plays, said he was “disappointed in myself first and foremost,” according to Pro Football Talk. He also told reporters, per the club, “We did not play well in the first half, we gave up 21 points, and we have to do a way better job than that.”
Asked whether the team is heading in the right direction at 2–5, Glenn said yes, because “there’s no quit in these guys,” and added that he believes the Jets are on the right track.
Who do the Jets play next?
The Jets host the Las Vegas Raiders at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, November 1, at 1:00 p.m. ET. Breece Hall’s status will be on the Jets injury report as the week goes on, and the rest of the season is on the 2026 Jets schedule. More game coverage lives in Insiders’ Analysis.
Frequently asked questions
What was the final score of Jets vs. Dolphins in Week 7?
The Miami Dolphins beat the Jets 28–25 at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, October 25, 2026. It was Miami’s first win of the season, and the Jets fell to 2–5.
How did the Dolphins build a 21–7 halftime lead?
Miami scored touchdowns on three of its first four possessions: a 7-yard pass from Malik Willis to Caleb Douglas, a 1-yard Ollie Gordon II run, and a 2-yard Willis scramble with 12 seconds left in the half.
What happened on the Jets’ goal-line possession?
With first-and-goal at the Miami 1 and the Jets trailing 21–14, two runs lost a yard each and Chop Robinson sacked Geno Smith for a 12-yard loss. Jason Sanders kicked a 33-yard field goal instead of a touchdown.
Who scored the Jets’ touchdowns against Miami?
Mason Taylor caught 13- and 12-yard touchdown passes and the two-point conversion, and Omar Cooper Jr. caught a 3-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter.
How did Geno Smith play against the Dolphins?
Smith completed 23 of 30 passes for 287 yards with three touchdowns and one interception, which safety Michael Taaffe made in the first half.
Who do the Jets play next?
The Jets host the Las Vegas Raiders at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, November 1, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. ET.