NEW YORK — Jevon Holland's interception on the final play of the first half helped swing the momentum in Miami's favor and Raheem Mosert's two fourth quarter touchdown runs helped the Dolphins blow past the New York Jets 34-14 in the NFL's first-ever game played on Black Friday.
Holland's interception was a back-breaker for the Jets, who's offense was stagnant for most of the game, but had began to find some momentum in the closing minutes of the first half.
With Miami (8-3) holding a 10-0 lead late in the second quarter, Tua Tagovailoa's first down pass that was intended for Braxton Berrios was intercepted by Brandin Echols, who jumped the route and returned it 27-yards for the score to cut the deficit to 10-6.
Tagovailoa would throw another interception on the Dolphins' ensuing drive, this time being picked off by D.J. Reed, giving New York (4-7) the ball at their 49 with 2 seconds remaining.
New York head coach Robert Saleh decided to gamble and throw a Hail Mary on the final play of the half — and it didn't go well at all.
Quarterbak Tim Boyle's throw to the end zone was picked off by Holland, who then took off down the field, and weaved his way through traffic untouched for the score and a 17-6 lead at the break.
“We took our shot off the interception to try to get one more (score),” Saleh said. “Just a very unfortunate play at the end of the half.”
Boyle got the starting nod for the Jets, who benched Zach Wilson, but change at quarterback didn't make much difference. Boyle's did manage to throw a one-yard scoring pass to Garrett Wilson with 4:37 remaining, but the game was well over by that point.
Despite the two interceptions, Tagovailoa still finished with a strong performance, going 21 of 30 for 243 yards and a touchdown pass.
Tagovailoa's lone scoring toss gave Miami a 10-0 lead when he connected with Tyreek Hill for a seven-yard score with 8:21 left in the second quarter.
Hill eluded a tackle attempt by Jordan Whitehead to get into the end zone. Once he found pay dirt, he found his new wife in the stands and tossed her the ball for a special celebration. The two were married during the Dolphins’ bye two weeks ago.
Hill finished with nine catches for 102 yards and Jaylen Waddle caught eight passes for 114 yards.
Mostert would add two touchdown runs in the fourth quarter to put the game away for good.
His first was a 13-yard touchdown run on the first play of the fourth quarter to give the Dolphins a 27-6 lead and then later added a 34-yard scoring dash with 3:35 left.
Mosert finished the game with 20 carries for 94 yards.
Miami 3 14 3 14 — 34
NY Jets 0 6 0 7 — 13
First Quarter
MIA—Jason Sanders 38 field goal, 1:26.
Second Quarter
MIA—Tyreek Hill 7 pass from Tua Tagovailoa (Jason Sanders kick), 8:21.
NYJ—Brandin Echols 30 interception Return (PAT failed), 0:58.
MIA—Jevon Holland 99 interception Return (Jason Sanders kick), 0:00.
Third Quarter
MIA—Jason Sanders 54 field goal, 11:16.
Fouth Quarter
MIA—Raheem Mostert 13 run (Jason Sanders kick), 14:55.
NYJ—Garrett Wilson 1 pass from Tim Boyle (Greg Zuerlein kick), 4:37.
MIA—Raheem Mostert 34 run (Jason Sanders kick), 3:35.
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