Aaron Rodgers has vintage game and four other takeaways as Jets beat Fins
There was a lot of talk about Aaron Rodgers being washed.
And while this certainly could down as the worst season of his career, Rodgers turned in a vintage performance against the Miami Dolphins, leading the New York Jets to a 32-20 victory.
Outside of the interception on his first play, the future Hall of Famer looked like, completing roughly 64% of his passes for 274 yards and four touchdowns. Rodgers also tossed the 500th touchdown of his career, becoming the fifth quarterback — Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Peyton Manning and Brett Favre — to do so.
“It didn’t start off the right way,” Rodgers told Fox Sports’ Pam Oliver after the game. “It was special.”
Turnovers
Turnovers. Turnovers. Turnovers. Turnovers.
It’s difficult to win a game when a team turns the ball over twice. But three times? That’s certainly a recipe for disaster.
Quarterback Tyler Huntley was behind three of the turnovers, all of which occurred on the Dolphins’ final three drives of the half.
The first interception came midway through the second quarter when Huntley targeted receiver Jaylen Waddle only for safety Ashtyn Davis to sneak over a rip the ball away.
Luckily, the Jets offense wasn’t able to turn that turnover into points.
After the Dolphins got the ball back, defensive end Will McDonald IV tackled Huntley in the backfield, causing the backup quarterback to cough up the ball. Three plays later, quarterback Aaron Rodgers would throw his 501 touchdown pass.
Still, the Dolphins had a chance to put up points before the half. A 69-yard Malik Washington kick return had Miami set up in Jets territory. The Dolphins made it just inside the red zone before Davis had once again picked off Huntley.
The fourth turnover came in the third quarter when Jonnu Smith fumbled after a trio of Jets defenders crunched the tight end.
New York, conversely, only had one turnover on Rodgers’ interception. While it might be incorrect to put 100% of the loss on the turnovers, it’s difficult to win games when a team can’t hold onto the ball.
Star receivers’ involvement
Yes, it’s great to have receiver Jaylen Waddle back after he missed the last two games with a knee injury.
Two quarters in, however, the young star had seven targets and only three catches for 19 yards. Even worse: both of Huntley’s turnovers came when aiming for Waddle. That, of course, isn’t Waddle’s fault.
Waddle finished the game with four catches for 44 yards while Tyreek Hill had just two grabs for 20 yards. That, to be frank, is not good enough.
It also remains to be seen why Hill didn’t play in the fourth quarter, something that coach Mike McDaniel didn’t know about until “right before a drive.” Hill’s postgame comments questioning his future in Miami also didn’t make Sunday’s performance any better.
“This is the first time I haven’t been in the playoffs,” Hill said Sunday evening. “For me, I have to do what’s best for me and my family if that’s here or wherever the case may be. I’m finna open that door for myself. I’m opening the door. I’m out. It was great playing here.”
First half red zone play calling
In the first half, the Dolphins had three trips to the red zone.
The result?
A total of zero yards gained, two field goals and an interception.
If it feels like you’ve been here before you certainly have; the Dolphins have been middle of the pack when it comes to red zone touchdown percentage, ranking 13th prior to Sunday’s slate of games.
The second half, however, looked a bit better. Early in the fourth quarter, the Dolphins gained 23 yards, scoring their two touchdowns of the game.
Still, the Dolphins left at least six points on the board, a figure that could rise to 10 if they tack on two-point conversions as well.
Smith is the Dolphins answer at tight end
The issues that McDaniel’s offense had at the tight end position are well-documented.
Case in point: a tight end didn’t score a single touchdown during the 2023 season.
Enter Jonnu Smith.
The star tight end finished Sunday with nine catches for 56 yards and a touchdown, leading the Dolphins in each category. Smith also set the franchise’s single-season touchdown record for tight ends.
Smith’s performance culminated what has been a career year for the tight end. In just his first year, Smith rewrote the Dolphins single-season records for tight ends. He will end the year as the Dolphins’ leader for catches, receiving yards and touchdowns at his position.
As far as the team is concerned, Smith will end as the team leader in receptions and touchdown catches as well as second in receiving yards.
There will be a lot of talk about where the Dolphins went wrong in the coming days. The Smith signing — on a two-year deal worth roughly $8.4 million — was a resounding success as the tight end can certainly be a building block going forward.
This story was originally published January 5, 2025 at 10:23 PM.
