The Miami Dolphins secured a dominant 34-13 victory over the New York Jets in the NFL's first Black Friday game. Outclassing the Jets in every aspect, the Dolphins outgained their division rival by over 200 yards and sacked quarterback Tim Boyle seven times, intercepting him twice. However, the win came at a cost, as a late-game noncontact leg injury to Jaelan Phillips forced the linebacker out with an Achilles injury.
On the offensive side, Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa had a challenging game, turning the ball over three times, including a pick-six. Despite finishing with 395 yards, below their season average, the Dolphins' offense struggled with turnovers for the second consecutive game. The defense, on the other hand, has been formidable, forcing nine turnovers in the past four games.
Looking ahead, the 8-3 Dolphins, still in contention for the AFC's top seed, will face the Washington Commanders next week.
For the New York Jets, the quarterback change to Tim Boyle failed to ignite their struggling offense. Boyle's Hail Mary attempt at the end of the first half turned into a disastrous pick-six by Dolphins safety Jevon Holland, representing the Jets' challenging season. With four consecutive losses and only 37 points scored in that span, the Jets face significant offensive issues beyond the quarterback position.
Boyle, starting for the injured Zach Wilson, faced difficulties, passing for 179 yards and throwing two interceptions. The offensive line, plagued by injuries, and a lack of playmakers at wide receiver contribute to the team's struggles. Coach Robert Saleh faces challenges in finding solutions, with the Jets now heading toward their 13th straight non-playoff season.
In a game marked by a pivotal interception on a Hail Mary, the Jets went from historically inept to a national laughingstock on Black Friday.
