Who’s hot, who’s not after Dolphins’ shutout win vs. Jets
The Dolphins, despite multiple injuries, had an all-around effort in a shutout win against the New York Jets on Sunday.
Here’s a look at who’s hot — and who’s not — after Miami’s victory.
Who’s hot
▪ Outside linebacker Bradley Chubb: The Dolphins’ collapse against the Tennessee Titans was defined by many moments. And though it didn’t directly cost Miami the game, Chubb’s unsportsmanlike conduct penalty in the second quarter for slamming his helmet — which led to a Tennessee touchdown three plays later — was one of the lasting images from the defeat.
Lost in the talk of that infraction was that Chubb went on to have a strong game. And he put the Monday night debacle firmly behind him with a three-sack performance Sunday that increased his season total to nine. He leads the Dolphins in sacks, and it’s the most Chubb has recorded since he had 12 as a rookie in 2018. Chubb, who leads the NFL with six forced fumbles, has continued to step up in the absence of fellow pass rusher Jaelan Phillips.
▪ Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa: Another narrative that takes a hit. Wide receiver Tyreek Hill was sidelined Sunday for the first time since he arrived in Miami as the team took a cautious approach with his ankle injury. And while Hill’s presence has immensely helped Tagovailoa, his performance against the Jets helped show he’s not just a product of Hill. Tagovailoa completed 21 of 24 passes for 224 yards and one touchdown, and he played a clean game after throwing two interceptions in the last meeting against New York.
▪ Wide receiver Jaylen Waddle: So much talk this season has surrounded Hill and his pursuit of the league’s first 2,000-yard receiving season that Waddle is sometimes lost in the background. But this is still a player who led the NFL in yards per catch in 2022. Despite injuries that have limited him this season, players and coaches have emphasized how dialed in Waddle is. Tagovailoa recently spoke about how much effort Waddle gives as a blocker. Coach Mike McDaniel said Waddle had one of the best offseasons of any player and could tell throughout the week of practice that he and Tagovailoa were ready for a big game.
Waddle stepped up, with eight catches for a season-high 142 yards and a 60-yard touchdown, his longest catch of the season. Waddle is a WR1 in his own right and reminded many of that Sunday.
Who’s not
▪ Linebacker Channing Tindall and cornerback Cam Smith: It’s not that they didn’t play well, but more so that the young players weren’t able to get defensive snaps late in a blowout win. Smith was dealing with a hamstring injury late in the game but as the Dolphins emptied their bench, it was Calvin Munson, who just rejoined the team two weeks ago, who got snaps over Tindall. Neither player has been able to make a significant contribution on defense despite being the team’s top pick in each of the last two drafts. As seen by players such as Austin Jackson and Liam Eichenberg, who had early-career struggles but have thrived this season, no player’s development is the same. But it would have been nice to see both on the field and gauge how they have been progressing.
This story was originally published December 18, 2023 at 10:39 AM.
