Another Sunday, another Jets game every fan dubs “must win.” I understand that we are trying to watch competitive Jets football, but I think you are really misusing and abusing that term. The fanbase is usually toxic, but this year it’s especially tiring to see everyone flip-flopping from week to week depending on the outcome of the game. Fun fact: the Jets could lose this game and still make the playoffs. The Jets could win this game 40-0 and still not make the playoffs.
That’s not to say that this game isn’t important; I’m just trying (failing) to clear my eyes and ears of the “must win” narrative every week. My favorite NFL team was facing my least favorite NFL team, and I was hoping to see a chase. Good teams beat bad teams; I think we all know this. It may be less obvious, however, that good teams almost always have winning records against their division. This is the easiest way to increase your record: six guaranteed games per year against an opponent you know.
Unfortunately, Aaron Glenn is 0-7 in such games. Former Head Coach, Robert Saleh, was also 0-6 in his first year with the Jets, but in his first game in the AFC East, he beat the Dolphins 40-17 in what was the Jets’ first multi-point win in two seasons at that point. These talented Jets have already won by a lot this year, so the monkey isn’t off their back, but the last time the Jets beat a divisional opponent was Aaron Rodgers’ swan song against the Dolphins on Week 18 of the 2024 season.
The look of these Jets and Dolphins completely different today than they did in that matchup, but the indisputable fact is that the 2026 Jets have more talent on both sides of the ball than the 2026 Dolphins. Maybe that’s why you think it’s a must-win? I wonder if the Rams had the same energy last week, knowing they were better than the Arizona Cardinals, who kicked me out of my Survivor Pool.
Jets must win – let’s expect a win. I’ll be the first to admit, though, that I wouldn’t be surprised if Miami gets their first win this week. Coaching is the most underrated aspect of winning, and I think we can all agree that the Jets coaching has not been up to par. Whether you blame a coordinator or the head coach is up to you, but we all agree there is a lot of room for improvement.
Can Jeff Hafley finally win his first game in six tries, now that he’s finally facing a struggling coaching staff instead of the likes of Andy Reid, Kyle Shanahan, and Kevin O’Connell? Let’s discuss:
I was thrilled last week to see Omar Cooper Jr. return to the lineup. after an electric first drive in Week 1. I started three things last week in my excitement, and I am very curious to see how he will be used. He exceeded my most optimistic predictions with six catches, 103 yards, and one touchdown on seven targets. He was easily the most productive WR on the field and deservedly earned Rookie of the Week honors.
This week we will be pleased to see Adonai Mitchell on the field for the Jets. I’m not sure a 100-yard game is in his immediate future, but he has had 60+ yards in both of his healthy games this season and reportedly has chemistry with Geno Smith that started over the summer. For the first time since the first drive of the season, Frank Reich will have his original WR trio of Wilson, Mitchell, and Cooper Jr. in the field at the same time. If ever there was a time to release the playbook and all their plans in a few months, this is it.
With the possible return of Breece Hall, the sky really does become the limit. This offense is overflowing with playmakers, with multiple options at each skill position that can take over a game. In five games, Miami has allowed 24 or more points four times. In those four games, all four opposing QBs threw at least two touchdowns, and the fifth (Kyler Murray) had 247 yards with no turnovers. Murray was noticeably without his top option, Justin Jefferson, for this game.
Geno Smith and Frank Reich will have every player at their disposal, a full-strength roster to try to dominate this barren Miami defense. The only game this season the Jets scored 24+ points or Geno had multiple touchdowns was a 31-24 loss at Detroit, which got the fanbase excited about the Jets’ offensive potential. The Jets haven’t scored more than 20 points since then, 4th worst in the league this season.
In other words, there’s no reason not to bring it back this Sunday. Against a team that routinely gives up 24 points and 2+ pass touchdowns, I expect these Jets to score 24 points and throw 2+ pass touchdowns. A big part of Geno’s lone performance of its kind was Kenyon Sadiq’s seven-catch, 103-yard game, capped by a nice TD layup. He has three catches for 15 yards in the three games since (avg. 1 catch for 5 yds per game).
The Dolphins were especially leaky at tight end, giving up touchdowns to George Kittle, Travis Kelce, Mike Gesicki, and Tanner Hudson. The other tight ends they faced were Michael Mayer (who led his team in catches and targets) and TJ Hockenson, who went back on the clock with 13 catches and 119 yards against the Dolphins. That’s more catches and yards than in all of his other games put together! In his other four games played, he had 10 catches and 83 yards.
24 points. 2+ passing touchdowns. Adonai Mitchell yard. Touchdown by Kenyon Sadiq (or Mason Taylor). Wow, maybe we should parlay?
If the Miami Dolphins have any hope of winning, they will need to run the ball. This is their biggest strength to date: they are currently 8th in the NFL in rushing yards per game (126.6) and 5th-highest in yards per attempt (4.9). The issue is that they fall behind early so they have to abandon the run and try to recover in the passing game.
Do you see why the Jets could be the perfect “get right” game for them? Facing a team that hasn’t scored more than seven points in the first half since Week 1 vs. the Titans are a great way to keep Plan A hammering and potentially win the time of possession battle. They may not have to abandon the rushing game and can use it to keep the Jets offense on the field.
Malik Willis already threw for a Justin Fields-esque 85 passing yards on a 52.5% completion percentage against the Vikings, but that was surprisingly the closest they got to a win, thanks to 100 yards and a touchdown from Ollie Gordon II. Gordon has scored in each of the last three games and is averaging 76.3 rushing yards per game during that span.
The Jets were mauled by Chicago RB Kyle Monangai for 146 yards and 2 scores, only allowed random Patriots RB Corey Kiner to average 5.2 ypc on 11 carries last week, and I won’t even mention Jahmyr Gibbs’ exploits in Week 3. If I were Jeff Hafley, the blueprint would obviously be to use Willis Gordon and move Willis Gordon the ball. guilt, and put points after a long drive.
Of course, the Jets can end it by being their explosive offense on paper, but if not, what can the defense do to stop the run game? They allow the 10th most rushing yards per game (123) in the league, and outside of Gibbs, they haven’t faced the toughest running back on the schedule. James Cook twice, Kenneth Walker(!!), Ashton Jeanty; there will be many mountains to climb in the future. Can they climb this hill named Ollie Gordon II? The same guy who ran for 100 yards on the 5th-best run defense, the Minnesota Vikings.
Let’s not forget that it was a little writer named James Wudi who pointed out the ineptitude of the 2-minute execution on this incredible site before CBS put up an equally damning graphic about being outscored at the end of the first half. I included both halves because the second half didn’t look as good, but I’m sure you’ve seen all the media outlets commenting on this ad nauseam.
I’ll point out that last week’s field goal with 32 seconds left ended a drought of scoreless two-minute drills stretching back to last year. Obviously, a garbage time field goal doesn’t really do much to dispel the belief that Aaron Glenn is the absolute bottom of the barrel in clock management, but we can’t talk about a string of scoreless drills to discredit him.
Well, since CBS kept it to the first half only, maybe we can. For the first half, we’re talking about the Jets not getting any points since Week 8 of last year. For those of us keeping up with the times, the Jets and Dolphins will face off in Week 7 of the 2026 NFL Season. We’re approaching a season-long stretch of time without any points from Aaron Glenn’s Jets in the two minutes before halftime.
The issue here is simple: can they score meaningful points with a 2-minute drill? It remains to be seen. Come on Jets!