Dolphins vs. Jets score, takeaways: Miami dominates New York on the road, wins NFL's first Black Friday game

The Dolphins are now 8-3 on the season

The Miami Dolphins move to 8-3 on the season after taking down the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium, 34-13. The major story coming into this inaugural Black Friday game was the change at quarterback Robert Saleh elected to make going from Zach Wilson to Tim Boyle for this game. While there was a different man under center, the results for this Jets offense were largely the same, and was unable to keep pace with Miami's collection of talent on that side of the ball.

The Dolphins picked up a 10-0 lead midway through the second quarter and looked like they were going to hold that going into the break. However, a flurry of pick-sixes -- including a 99-yard return by Jevon Holland at the buzzer -- found these teams going into halftime with Miami up 17-6. While the Dolphins continued to score in the second half, the Jets offense sputtered under Boyle.

As a team, New York managed just 47 yards of total offense in the first half while the Dolphins had 214 yards. That continued throughout the second half as Miami outgained the Jets 395 yards to 159 for the game. The Dolphins did struggle a bit against this Jets defense early, but imposed their will on them in the second half, particularly on a 15-play drive that traveled 92 yards and ended with a rushing touchdown by Raheem Mostert. Not only did that put the Dolphins up by three scores, but it also took 9:03 off the clock. 

Meanwhile, the Jets tried to answer with their own double-digit play drive on the ensuing possession and did get inside the red zone for the first time of the evening, but the 17th play saw Boyle's pass tipped and picked off by Dolphins linebacker Jerome Baker. Those back-to-back drives encompassed the stark difference between these two AFC East clubs.  

Tua Tagovailoa finished 21 of 30 passing for 243 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. Both Tyreek Hill (102 yards, touchdown) and Jaylen Waddle (114) exceeded 100 yards receiving in the game. Meanwhile, Mostert logged 94 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. For New York, Boyle was 27 of 38 passing for 179 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. 

For more on how this game unfolded, check out our main takeaways below. 

Why the Dolphins won

Things got a bit shaky there at the end of the first with Tua Tagovailoa throwing two interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), but the Dolphins largely didn't beat themselves. Against an inferior opponent offensively, Miami was able to impose its will in this game, gain an early lead and then dictate the pace in the second half on with a ball-dominant rushing attack. The Dolphins defense didn't let Tim Boyle get into any sort of rhythm. They forced the Jets to punt on their first five possessions and then Jevon Holland picked off Boyle at the end of the second quarter and returned it 99 yards for a touchdown. That continued at the start of the second half where they forced a three-and-out on New York's opening possession and then picked off Boyle again (this time in the red zone) to truly ice the game. It was a dominant defensive effort and the offense was able to pile up 34 points, which was an impossible mark for this Jets unit to keep up with. 

Why the Jets lost

Even with the quarterback change, it was the same old Jets offense. The unit -- led by Tim Boyle -- didn't cross into Miami territory until just under 11 minutes to play in regulation and overall couldn't find much success on the afternoon. One of the key areas of weakness for this offense throughout the season was converting on third down and they began this Black Friday matchup 0 for 8 on the critical down. That inability to sustain drives when this game was still competitive ultimately proved to be their demise. Even when they were able to formulate an extended drive, Boyle's pass was batted and picked off by Miami's Jerome Baker, which left a 17-play drive without any points being put on the board. Protection up front also continued to be an issue in this game as Boyle was sacked seven times. 

In the early goings, the New York defense was giving the Dolphins its best punch, but frustrations by the offense not carrying the baton did seem to boil over. Specifically, C.J. Mosley was called a needless facemask penalty in the third quarter that turned what would've been a third-down stop into an automatic first. Miami made the Jets pay for that mistake with a touchdown by Mostert a few plays later. 

Turning point

The Dolphins did face some resistance by the Jets defense in this game, but they were able to grind out a key 15-play, 92-yard touchdown drive in the closing minutes of the third quarter and opening minutes of the fourth that seemed to put this game on ice. Instead of quick chunk plays to pile up the scoreboard, Miami elected to churn out a ball-dominant and clock-bleeding drive that was capped off by a 13-yard touchdown run by Mostert that put the Dolphins up by three scores. In all, the Dolphins chewed 9:03 off the clock in the second half and effectively left no room for the Jets to even think about making a comeback.

Play of the game

The closing minutes of the first half featured some wild momentum swings. Tua Tagovailoa threw an interception to Brandin Echols that he returned for a touchdown, and then the Dolphins QB threw another pick to D.J. Reed that gave the Jets an opportunity to throw a Hail Mary and possibly take the lead at the break. Instead, Tim Boyle's heave to the end zone was picked off by Dolphins safety Jevon Holland. 

Holland then returned the ball 99 yards for a touchdown at the buzzer, which put Miami's lead back up to double digits and proved to be an absolute gut punch for the Jets, who had a brief moment of optimism before things fell apart. 

What's next

From here, the Dolphins will travel to FedEx Field to take on the Washington Commanders -- who just fired their defensive coordinator -- in Week 13. As for the Jets, they'll look to snap what is now a four-game losing skid next Sunday when they host the Atlanta Falcons. 

[Nov 24, 2023 at 6:04 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

And that'll do it. A dominating win by Miami on Black Friday as the Dolphins roll through the Jets, 34-13. 

[Nov 24, 2023 at 5:54 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

The Dolphins aren't even trying to score touchdowns and Raheem Mostert rolls 34 yards down the field for the score. It's 34-13, Miami. 

[Nov 24, 2023 at 5:47 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

And the Jets finally score an offensive touchdown. Tim Boyle throws it to Garrett Wilson for a 1-yard score. It'll be inconsequential, but a positive note for the Jets in an otherwise rough showing. 

[Nov 24, 2023 at 5:44 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

Holland is now up and walking to the sideline under his own power, which is encouraging. 

[Nov 24, 2023 at 5:42 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

Jevon Holland -- who had a 99-yard interception return for a touchdown -- is now down on the field. 

[Nov 24, 2023 at 5:34 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

Dagger. Boyle's pass to Breece Hall was batted in the air and picked off by Jerome Baker. A 17-play drive that brought the Jets into Miami territory for the first time on the night ended in a turnover. 

[Nov 24, 2023 at 5:30 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

Here's the non-contact injury to Phillips. 

[Nov 24, 2023 at 5:27 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

Concerning moment for Miami as Jaelan Phillips is being carted off the field after suffering a non-contact injury. Phillips was having himself a strong game up until this point as he totaled four tackles, three tackles for a loss and a sack. 

[Nov 24, 2023 at 5:22 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

The Jets finally convert on third down after starting the game 0-8. 

[Nov 24, 2023 at 5:21 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

With just under 11 minutes to play in the fourth quarter, the Jets offense gets into Miami territory for the first time all game. 

[Nov 24, 2023 at 5:20 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

While the Jets are 0-8 on third down today, they are 2-2 on fourth down. 

[Nov 24, 2023 at 5:14 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

Clemons has also been ejected for the infraction. 

[Nov 24, 2023 at 5:13 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

A rare penalty for hitting an official. Michael Clemons was called for the infraction after the extra point attempt. There was also an unnecessary roughness penalty called on Mosley. Both will be enforced.  

[Nov 24, 2023 at 5:11 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

That was an absolutely dominant touchdown drive by Miami. 15 plays to go 92 yards and chewed 9:03 off the clock. It was capped off by a 13-yard run by Raheem Mostert to put the Dolphins up by three scores.

[Nov 24, 2023 at 5:05 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

The Dolphins are 10 of 15 on third down today as we enter the fourth quarter. New York is 0-6. 

[Nov 24, 2023 at 5:02 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

Frustrations are starting to boil over for the Jets. An undisciplined penalty on what would've been a third down stop now turns into an automatic first. C.J. Mosley's penalty keeps the Miami drive alive.  

[Nov 24, 2023 at 4:59 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

The is the ideal drive for Miami. Dominating ball control, converting on third down, and keeping the clock running. 

[Nov 24, 2023 at 4:52 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

And the boo birds really come down by Jets fans following this latest three-and-out by the Jets that traveled just three yards. 

[Nov 24, 2023 at 4:46 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

New York's defense is doing everything it can to keep the Jets in this game. Huff gets a clutch third-down sack on Tagovailoa. It's simply had to have much optimism about a comeback given how lifeless the offense has continued to look. 

[Nov 24, 2023 at 4:44 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

Jaylen Waddle beats Sauce Gardner for a 32-yard reception. Waddle had Gardner on his hip, but Tua placed the ball perfectly. 

[Nov 24, 2023 at 4:30 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

What a remarkable way to end the first half. Jevon Holland returns it 99-yards for a touchdown off of the interception from Tim Boyle, who simply lofted the ball in the air for a Hail Mary to try and give the Jets offense some life before the break. Instead, Miami extends its lead to double digits. The best return of the season so far.

[Nov 24, 2023 at 4:19 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

Could that be the turning point for New York? Echols picks off Tagovailoa and takes it 30 yards to the house to bring the Jets within a field goal of the Dolphins. A massive momentum shift right before the half and could prove to also be a major moment for the betting line on this game with the Dolphins favored by 10 coming into this divisional matchup.