EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Miami Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis completed 14 of 21 passes for 208 yards and two touchdowns, and the defense held the New York Jets scoreless on three red-zone possessions, as Miami broke through for a comprehensive road victory at the Meadowlands in Week 7.
Willis, who arrived in South Florida as a free agent from Green Bay, averaged 9.9 yards per attempt and added 37 rushing yards, including a third touchdown on the ground. His +0.62 EPA (expected points added) was the highest among quarterbacks in Week 7 entering Monday night’s Eagles-Cowboys game and ranked sixth-best among all quarterback performances this season, according to Next Gen Stats.
“He was decisive today and I thought he competed at a really high level,” Head Coach Jeff Hafley said. “I thought he got rid of the ball quick. I thought he made good decisions. He took care of the football. He ran when he had it…I’m just really proud of him and how he responded.”
Rookie wide receiver Caleb Douglas caught two touchdown passes, including a 63-yard score late in the fourth quarter that helped Miami build a two-score lead. Douglas became the seventh rookie in Dolphins history to catch a pair of touchdowns in a single game. Tight end Greg Dulcich led all receivers with five catches for 86 yards, all in the first half. Miami converted 5 of 12 third downs and was a perfect 3-for-3 on fourth down, with Willis converting two fourth downs with his legs.
The ground game sealed the win. Running back Ollie Gordon scored for the fourth straight game and recorded his second career 100-yard rushing performance as Miami totaled 156 yards on the ground. Nursing a three-point lead with 3:17 remaining, Offensive Coordinator Bobby Slowik called run after run, draining the clock and forcing a fourth-and-1 that Willis converted on a tush push to end the Jets’ final possession.
“I grabbed the offensive line, asked them what they wanted to do, and when I saw the look in their eyes, I was very confident we would get it,” Hafley said. “As soon as I saw that there was no doubt in my mind that we would get it. I trusted them.”
Miami now ranks seventh in the NFL in rushing yards per game at 131.5. Since Pro Bowl running back De’Von Achane’s injury in Week 3, the Dolphins have averaged 153.6 rushing yards per game, second in the NFL behind only Tampa Bay at 159.8.
Defensively, edge rusher Chop Robinson recorded a third-down sack as part of a red-zone stand that held the Jets to a field goal after New York had a first-and-goal from inside the 1-yard line in a 21-14 game. Robinson generated five pressures on 23 pass-rush attempts; his 23.4 percent pressure rate leads the NFL through seven weeks, according to Next Gen Stats. Rookie safety Michael Taaffe recorded the second interception of his career in another red-zone stop. The offensive line surrendered just 2.0 sacks and Miami finished without a turnover.
Miami’s next game is scheduled for Week 8.