Things to watch for: Miami Dolphins vs. New York Jets on Monday

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Things to watch for: Miami Dolphins vs. New York Jets on Monday

September 24, 2025

MIAMI GARDENS — The winless Miami Dolphins (0-3) host the winless New York Jets (0-3) on “Monday Night Football,” and a loss will again stir up talk of coach Mike McDaniel being fired imminently. A victory, on the other hand, lends life to the thought the Dolphins could make a strong turnaround from their disappointing start.

The Dolphins haven’t done much right through three games but being at home, where they’ve enjoyed great success under McDaniel, should get them going. And they’ve had good success against the Jets under McDaniel, which should also work in their favor.

Here are some things to look for in Monday’s 7:15 p.m. game:

Tua has to cut down on errors

Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has five touchdowns and five turnovers (four interceptions, lost fumble). He has overthrown and underthrown receivers. He hasn’t looked confident in the pocket. In short, Tagovailoa has been error-prone through three games and that must change for the Dolphins to defeat the Jets.

Two of Tagovailoa’s interceptions came in the fourth quarter when the Dolphins had a chance to defeat New England and Buffalo. Tagovailoa leads the way when it comes to Dolphins disappointments this season.

Front seven havoc

The Dolphins’ defensive front seven (primarily tackle Zach Sieler, outside linebackers Bradley Chubb, Jaelan Phillips, Chop Robinson and Matthew Judon, and inside linebackers Jordyn Brooks and Tyrel Dodson) needs to get busy restoring honor to a group that finished No. 4 in the NFL last year and No. 10 in 2023.

The Dolphins have just 6.0 sacks (tied for 20th), zero takeaways (tied for last with Jets and Washington), rank 28th in run defense (145 ypg allowed) and they allow 32.3 ppg (last in the league). The front seven needs to lead the way toward improvement in each area.

Winning at home

The Dolphins are 18-8 (.692) at home under McDaniel. Even last year, when the Dolphins finished 8-9, they were 5-3 at home. Even more promising, in the seven home games that Tagovailoa started last season the Dolphins went 5-2 and averaged 26.6 points per game, scoring 30 or more points three times and 27 or more points five times. The Dolphins’ average winning margin was 11.4 ppg in those five home wins last season.

Defeating the Jets

The Dolphins are 4-2 against the Jets under McDaniel, so they have had the secret sauce. Yes, they lost their last matchup, a 32-20 decision in last year’s finale. But the Dolphins have an experienced coach and the Jets have a rookie coach in Aaron Glenn, the former Detroit defensive coordinator.

It’s an even matchup statistically. The Jets are 26th (271.7 yards per game) in offense while the Dolphins are 26th in defense (370.3 ypg alllowed). On the other side of the ball, the Dolphins are 23rd in offense (281.7 ypg) while the Jets are 22nd in defense (340.3 ypg allowed).

There is something major working against the Dolphins, and it’s their performance in prime time games. The Dolphins are now 3-11 in prime time games under McDaniel after losing at Buffalo, 31-21, last week. They’re 1-5 at home in prime time games under McDaniel.

Special teams

The Dolphins have had at least one major special teams error in each game. Judon ran into the punter at Indianapolis, extending a drive that led to a field goal and a 20-0 halftime lead, they allowed a 90-yard kickoff return against New England that provided the game-winning points in a 33-27 loss, and Sieler ran into the punter last week at Buffalo leading to a touchdown that gave the Bills a 28-21 lead in their 31-21 victory.

Granted, punt returner Malik Washington had a 74-yard punt return touchdown against New England, but the Dolphins’ special teams must make a better showing against the Jets.

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