Three Overreactions and Four Underrated Aspects After Miami Dolphins First Win

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Three Overreactions and Four Underrated Aspects After Miami Dolphins First Win

Mark H. Stowers · Athlon Sports

Mon, Oct 26, 2026 ·

3 min read

Overreactions

The Dolphins have solved their season.Miami looked transformed while building a 21-7 halftime lead, but the Jets closed within three and gained 377 yards. A 1-5 record still leaves no margin for another prolonged lapse. The victory creates a blueprint, not proof that every problem is fixed.

Malik Willis has answered every quarterback question. Willis was excellent: 14 completions in 21 attempts, 208 passing yards, two touchdown passes, 37 rushing yards and another score. He protected the ball and converted the decisive fourth down. One efficient game, however, does not settle his long-term ceiling. New England will force him to prove he can win after opponents adjust to Miami's condensed reads and run-heavy plan.

The defense is suddenly dependable. Michael Taaffe's interception and the team's two fourth-quarter sacks were valuable, but Geno Smith still managed to throw for 287 yards and three touchdowns. Braelon Allen averaged more than six yards per carry, while Omar Cooper Jr. gained 115 receiving yards. Miami made enough timely plays; it did not dominate.

Underrated:

The offense stayed patient.The Dolphins ran 41 times, possessed the ball for 34:36 and converted all three fourth-down attempts. Gordon's 25 carries mattered beyond his 103 yards. The commitment kept Willis out of desperate situations and allowed Miami to dictate the game's pace.

Caleb Douglas changed the spacing.Douglas caught only two passes, yet both became touchdowns. His return forced New York to respect speed outside, and his 63-yard catch-and-run punished a defense that crowded the shorter game. The stat line was small; the effect was enormous.

Miami won situational football.The Dolphins scored touchdowns on all three red-zone trips, avoided turnovers and finished the game on offense. Taaffe's takeaway denied a Jets scoring chance, and Hafley's final fourth-down decision prevented New York from receiving another possession. Those moments explain the result more clearly than total yardage.

Another underrated detail was field position. Wright averaged more than 26 yards on five kickoff returns, including a 39-yard return that began Miami's second touchdown drive at its 40. The Dolphins did not score on special teams, but they avoided the disastrous start that hurt them against Cincinnati and repeatedly gave the offense room to operate.

The word now is optimism. Miami found a sustainable offensive identity and showed late-game conviction. Whether that becomes a trend will be found out on Sunday on the home turf against New England.

This story was originally published by Athlon on Oct 26, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon as a Preferred Source by clicking here.