Tagovailoa finds Smith for game-winning TD in 32-26 OT victory vs. Jets

Miami Dolphins tight end Jonnu Smith (9) celebrates after scoring a touchdown in overtime during an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) (Wilfredo Lee, Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Tua Tagovailoa found tight end Jonnu Smith for a game-winning touchdown in overtime to give the Miami Dolphins a 32-26 win over the New York Jets on Sunday.

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He finished the day by going 33 of 47 with 331 yards and two scores through the air.

The Dolphins are now 6-7 and have kept their playoff hopes alive.

Here is your full-game recap:

First Quarter

On the first drive of the game, Tagovailoa connected with receivers Jaylen Waddle for 20 yards, Tyreek Hill for 11 yards, and running back DeVon Achane for 14 yards. A pair of penalties on the Jets, including a personal foul and pass interference, helped set up a 1-yard touchdown run by Achane. However, kicker Jason Sanders missed the extra point. Dolphins-6 Jets-0

Dolphins tackle Terron Armstead was questionable to return after sustaining an apparent knee injury on the opening drive of the game.

On the Jets’ opening offensive drive, quarterback Aaron Rodgers connected with running back Braylon Allen, who was starting in place of the injured Breece Hall, for two first-down receptions. This set up a 28-yard field goal by kicker Anders Carlson. Dolphins- 6 Jets- 3

2nd Quarter

Tagovailoa completed passes to Tyreek Hill and running back Jaylen Wright, helping the Dolphins move down the field. They added a 38-yard field goal by Jason Sanders after the Jets defense broke up a pass to Hill on third-and-1. Dolphins- 9 Jets- 3

Rodgers connected with receiver Garrett Wilson on a 35-yard inside slant for a fourth-down conversion, with Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey in coverage. Jets running back Isaiah Davis ran up the gut for a 17-yard score on the very next play. Jets- 10 Dolphins- 9

On the Dolphins’ next drive, Hill stepped up with receptions of 10 and 31 yards. Waddle also kept the drive alive by converting a 4th-and-2 with a 5-yard catch. However, the Dolphins’ offense was stalled when the Jets stopped them on third down, tackling Wright for a 1-yard gain on a 3rd-and-4. Sanders then added his second field goal of the game, this time from 24 yards. Dolphins- 12 Jets- 10

Rodgers connected with wide receiver DeVante Adams for gains of 34 and 10 yards on the next drive, capitalizing on a costly penalty against the Dolphins. A sack by Emmanuel Ogbah was nullified by a defensive holding call on defensive tackle Zach Sieler. The drive culminated in a 30-yard field goal by Anders Carlson. Jets- 13 Dolphins - 12

On the final drive of the first half, Tagovailoa connected with Jaylen Waddle for two first-down receptions before a quick dump off to Hill moved the Dolphins into field goal range. Sanders capped the drive with a 57-yard field goal, giving Miami a 15-13 lead at halftime. Dolphins- 15 Jets- 13

Third quarter

The Rodgers-Adams connection picked up right where it left off on the first drive of the second half. Adams notched multiple gains of over 15 yards before capping a 7-play, 70-yard drive with a 3-yard touchdown catch. Jets- 20 Dolphins- 13

After the Dolphins came up short on a fourth-down conversion, Rodgers led the Jets downfield, connecting with DeVante Adams for a 17-yard gain. A sack by Dolphins linebacker Jordyn Brooks stalled the drive, but Carlson added his third field goal, extending the Jets’ lead to eight. Jets- 23 Dolphins- 15

Fourth Quarter

Sieler gave the Dolphins a boost by sacking Rodgers with just under 14 minutes, marking his fourth sack of the season and forcing the Jets first punt of the game.

Wright drew a 23-yard pass interference penalty on Jets cornerback DJ Reed, giving the Dolphins a first-and-goal at the Jets’ eight-yard line. Jaylen Waddle followed with an 11-yard gain on a bubble screen, setting up Tyreek Hill’s touchdown on a fourth-down conversion. Waddle then completed the drive with a two-point conversion, tying the game. Dolphins- 23 Jets- 23

The Dolphins’ defense delivered when it mattered most, forcing back-to-back three-and-out on the Jets next offensive possessions.

Tagovailoa and the Dolphins failed to take advantage of either opportunity after a holding penalty stalled the drive and Miami was forced to punt, giving the ball back to New York.

A third-and-1 conversion by Allen extended the Jets’ drive, allowing Rodgers to connect with Adams for a 16-yard completion.

A play-action pass to wide receiver Allen Lazard for 18 yards helped the Jets take a 26-23 lead on Carlson’s third field goal of the day. Jets- 26 Dolphins- 23

After rookie wide receiver Malik Washington set the Dolphins up with great field position following a 45-yard kick return, the Dolphins were able to get into enemy territory and tie the game with seven seconds left in regulation on a 52-yard Jason Sanders field goal, setting up overtime. Dolphins- 26 Jets- 26

Overtime

On the first possession of overtime, Tagovailoa found tight end Jonnu Smith for gains of 20 and 14 yards. He also found Hill and Achane for first down receptions.

Tagovailoa once again connected with Smith in the corner of the end zone for a 10-yard touchdown in overtime, securing a 32-26 victory for Miami. Smith did not record his first reception of the game until the fourth quarter.

Smith has now scored or has recorded 100 yards receiving in each of his last four games.

News and notes:

Waddle set the Dolphins’ franchise record for the most receiving yards (4,085) in the first four seasons of an NFL career after totaling 61 yards in the first half. He finished the game with 9 catches for 99 yards.

• After recording his seventh catch in the fourth quarter, Hill passed Dolphins wide receiver Brian Hartline for 10th on the franchise’s all-time receptions list. Hill finished Sunday’s game with 10 catches, 115 yards and a touchdown.

• Tagovailoa became the fourth player in team history to reach 15,000 career passing yards. He is also two touchdown passes shy of hitting 100 for his career.

• Rodgers threw for 300 yards for the first time since Week 14 of the 2021 season when he played quarterback for the Green Bay Packers.

Up Next

The Dolphins (6-7) head to Houston to take on the Texans (8-5) in Week 15, while the Jets (3-10) travel to Jacksonville to face the Jaguars (3-10).


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