New York Jets vs Miami Dolphins Match Player Stats: A Full 2025 Season Retrospective

The rivalry between the New York Jets and the Miami Dolphins saw a significant shift in dynamics throughout the 2025 NFL season. As the teams navigated the challenges of the AFC East, their head-to-head matchups provided a wealth of statistical data that defined their respective trajectories. This analysis breaks down the player statistics from their key encounters, specifically focusing on the matches held in September and December of 2025, offering a comprehensive look at the numbers that drove these divisional battles.

Week 4 Breakdown: September 29, 2025 (Hard Rock Stadium)

The first meeting of the 2025 season took place in Miami, where the Dolphins secured a 27-21 victory over the Jets. This game was characterized by a clash of styles between a mobile Jets backfield and a highly efficient Dolphins passing attack.

Quarterback Performance Metrics

The quarterback duel featured Justin Fields for the New York Jets and Tua Tagovailoa for the Miami Dolphins. The statistical output highlighted a stark contrast in offensive philosophy.

• Justin Fields (NYJ): Completed 20 of 27 passes for 226 yards, averaging 8.4 yards per attempt. He recorded 1 passing touchdown and threw 0 interceptions. However, he was sacked twice, resulting in a loss of 19 yards. His effectiveness on the ground was a major component of the Jets' offense, as he rushed 7 times for 81 yards and a touchdown, including a season-long 43-yard scramble.
• Tua Tagovailoa (MIA): Showcased precision over volume, completing 17 of 25 passes for 177 yards with an average of 7.1 yards per attempt. Tagovailoa threw 2 touchdowns and 0 interceptions, maintaining a clean sheet despite facing consistent pressure. He was not sacked during this encounter.

Rushing and Ground Game Statistics

Both teams leaned heavily on their rushing units to control the tempo of the game. The Jets outgained the Dolphins on the ground 197 to 123, yet the Dolphins utilized their touches more effectively in scoring situations.

Receiving and Target Distribution

The receiving stats from this match indicated a strategic focus on tight ends for Miami and a balanced spread for New York.

• Garrett Wilson (NYJ): Led all receivers with 6 receptions on 8 targets for 82 yards and 1 touchdown. His ability to create separation was evident in his 23-yard long reception.
• Darren Waller (MIA): Proved to be the red-zone difference-maker, catching 3 passes on 4 targets for 27 yards, with 2 of those catches resulting in touchdowns.
• Tyreek Hill (MIA): Operated as the primary chain-mover, hauling in 6 receptions for 67 yards on 6 targets.
• Mason Taylor (NYJ): Emerging as a reliable target, Taylor recorded 5 receptions for 65 yards.

Week 14 Breakdown: December 7, 2025 (MetLife Stadium)

The late-season rematch in New Jersey saw a dominant performance by the Miami Dolphins, who defeated the New York Jets 34-10. This game was defined by the Dolphins' defensive surge and the Jets' struggles under center.

Quarterback Instability vs. Steady Execution

The Jets rotated through quarterbacks Brady Cook and Tyrod Taylor, which significantly hindered their offensive rhythm. In contrast, Tagovailoa remained efficient in a game dictated by field position.

• Tua Tagovailoa (MIA): 13 of 21 for 127 yards and 1 touchdown. While the yardage was lower than in the previous meeting, his management of the game was crucial during a rainy afternoon in East Rutherford.
• Jets QB Collective: The combination of Brady Cook and Tyrod Taylor struggled against Miami's secondary. Taylor was intercepted by Tyrel Dodson, while Cook threw two interceptions to Rasul Douglas and Ethan Bonner. The Jets' passing offense was limited to under 150 net yards.

Rushing Dominance in the Cold

Miami's ground game was the engine of their 34-point performance. Jaylen Wright and De'Von Achane combined for nearly 200 yards, overwhelming the Jets' defensive front.

• Jaylen Wright (MIA): Recorded a career-high 107 rushing yards on 24 carries, including a 2-yard touchdown punch-in that set the tone early in the first quarter.
• De'Von Achane (MIA): Averaged a staggering 13.1 yards per carry before leaving with a minor injury, totaling 92 yards on just 7 attempts. His 39-yard burst in the first quarter was the play of the game.
• Ollie Gordon II (MIA): Added a 7-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter to finalize the scoreline.

Defensive Standouts and Pressure Stats

The defensive statistics from the December matchup tell the story of the blowout. Miami's defense recorded 6 sacks and 3 interceptions.

Historical Context: The December 2024 Overtime Thriller

To understand the 2025 trends, one must look at the statistical foundation laid on December 8, 2024, when Miami won 32-26 in an overtime classic. That game featured higher passing volume than either 2025 meeting.

• Aaron Rodgers (NYJ): Threw for 339 yards on 27 of 39 passing. This was his first 300-yard game in years, connecting frequently with Davante Adams (9 rec, 109 yards, 1 TD).
• Tua Tagovailoa (MIA): Matched Rodgers with 331 yards on 33 of 47 passing. The game ended on a 10-yard touchdown pass to Jonnu Smith in overtime.
• Receiving Duel: Tyreek Hill (115 yards) and Garrett Wilson (114 yards) nearly mirrored each other's output, a statistical anomaly that hasn't been repeated since.

Positional Group Analysis and Season Averages

Aggregating the stats across the 2025 season series reveals how the Dolphins and Jets matched up at specific positions.

The Quarterback Comparison

Throughout the 2025 series, Tua Tagovailoa maintained a higher completion percentage (65.2%) compared to the rotating Jets quarterbacks (59.1%). The Dolphins' offensive line was statistically superior in protection, allowing zero sacks in the September game and only two in the December game, whereas Jets quarterbacks were sacked a combined 8 times across both 2025 meetings.

Running Back Efficiency

The Dolphins' backfield efficiency was a primary factor in their sweep of the season series. De'Von Achane averaged 7.07 yards per carry across the two 2025 games. The Jets' Breece Hall remained the focal point of their offense but found limited room in the second matchup, where he was held to under 50 yards from scrimmage.

Receiving Corps Target Share

• Miami Dolphins: Distribution was heavily concentrated among Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, and the tight end group. In the December 34-10 win, Jaylen Waddle led with 5 catches for 50 yards and a score.
• New York Jets: Garrett Wilson remained the most targeted player in the rivalry. Across the September and December games, Wilson saw a total of 19 targets, hauling in 11 receptions for 145 yards.

Special Teams and Field Position

Special teams often dictate the outcome of divisional games through hidden yardage. The 2025 matches showed a significant advantage for Miami in this department.

• Kicking Accuracy: Riley Patterson (MIA) was perfect in the December matchup, hitting field goals from 43, 53, and 36 yards. Nick Folk (NYJ) contributed a 50-yarder and a 58-yarder across the season but had fewer opportunities due to offensive stalls.
• Return Yardage: Malik Washington (MIA) was a statistical standout in the return game. In September, he recorded 96 kick return yards on 3 attempts. In December, Isaiah Williams (NYJ) provided a spark with a 78-yard punt return touchdown, which was the only touchdown for the Jets in that contest.
• Punting: Jake Bailey (MIA) averaged 48 yards per punt in the December game, consistently pinning the Jets inside their own 20-yard line three times, which directly led to shorter scoring drives for the Dolphins.

Team Efficiency and Situational Statistics

Beyond individual player stats, the team-level metrics provide insight into the outcomes of these matches.

Third Down Conversions

In the September match, the Jets were 4-of-9 on third downs, showing reasonable efficiency. However, this plummeted in the December rematch to 2-of-13. Miami maintained a steady conversion rate of approximately 38% across both games, which allowed them to sustain long drives and control the clock.

Red Zone Performance

This was perhaps the most telling statistic of the 2025 series:

• September 29: Jets were 0-for-2 in the red zone; Dolphins were 3-for-4.
• December 7: Jets were 0-for-1; Dolphins were 4-for-5.

Converting red zone opportunities into touchdowns rather than field goals allowed Miami to pull away in the second half of both contests.

Turnovers and Penalties

The turnover margin heavily favored Miami. The Jets committed 6 turnovers (3 fumbles, 3 interceptions) across the two 2025 games, while the Dolphins committed 0. This +6 turnover margin was the single greatest statistical indicator of the season sweep.

Penalties also hindered the Jets' progress. In the September game, New York was penalized 13 times for 101 yards, frequently nullifying positive gains by Justin Fields and Breece Hall.

Summary of Seasonal Impact

The player stats from the New York Jets vs. Miami Dolphins matchups in 2025 highlight a period of defensive dominance for Miami and offensive transition for New York. The statistical leaders—Tua Tagovailoa in passing efficiency, De'Von Achane and Jaylen Wright in rushing, and Zach Sieler in defensive pressure—all contributed to a season series that saw Miami outscore New York 61-31 over two games.

As the league enters the 2026 offseason, these numbers serve as a benchmark for both organizations. The Jets will likely look to stabilize their quarterback statistics and reduce penalty yardage, while the Dolphins aim to maintain the rushing efficiency and turnover-free football that defined their 2025 success. The rivalry continues to be a source of high-quality data for analysts and fans alike, reflecting the ever-evolving nature of AFC East football.