Instant analysis after Jets put absolute smackdown on Dolphins, 40-17

I don’t think anybody saw this coming, but that sure was worth waiting for Jets fans. New York scored their first divisional victory since 2019 and have a winning record at 3-2 after smacking the Miami Dolphins, 40-17. Let’s share some quick thoughts on the huge victory to move the Jets into second place in the AFC East.

Quick Hits

• Breece freaking Hall. What more needs to be said? Today was his breakout party in a big way. 197 total yards and a touchdown, including a 79-yard reception that set up one of Michael Carter’s touchdowns. Have to think he’s the early favorite for AFC Offensive Player of the Week.
• Hall wasn’t the only rookie showing up big today. Sauce Gardner got the game started with an early hit on Teddy Bridgewater that became a safety and knocked Bridgewater out of the game. Gardner also scored his first career interception. Gardner finished with five tackles, one quarterback hit, one interception and one pass defended.
• This is the latest the Jets have had a winning record since 2017 and the Jets are now in second place as they hold the tiebreaker over the Dolphins. So in a matter of two weeks, the Dolphins have gone from 3-0 and atop the AFC to 3-2 and in third place in the division.
• Quinnen Williams, yet again. Another half-sack to help lead the charge on defense for the Jets. And he wasn’t alone. Carl Lawson (7 QB hits) and John Franklin-Myers (5) combined to hit Dolphins quarterbacks 12 times and each found themselves in the sack category (Franklin-Myers shared the sack with Williams, Lawson had the strip-sack).
• There were moments in the third quarter where it seemed the defense was lulled to sleep and allowed the Dolphins to hang around. But a few key stops and holding the Dolphins to 4/11 on third downs allowed the Jets to build back momentum in the second half and run away with this one.
• The Jets were absolutely fantastic in the red zone. In six trips to the area, the Jets were successful five times, including 4/4 on goal-to-go situations. Having backs like Hall and Carter (and the occasional legwork from Zach Wilson) is a great asset deep in opponents’ territory.

Key Stat

Breece Hall 20 touches, 197 yards, 1 touchdown: There really wasn’t much debate on this one. Sure, Sauce Gardner’s line is very nice, but Hall set the Jets up twice at the 1-yard line, had a touchdown of his own and recorded 100 yards receiving.

Game Balls

Breece Hall: See above. This was a no-brainer.

Sauce Gardner: Getting a safety on a…