Miami Dolphins All-22 Scouting Report: Three Keys for the Jets

This Miami Dolphins scouting report gives the Jets a clear starting point: contain Malik Willis, stay disciplined against the run and play-action, and give Geno Smith opportunities against a defense that has allowed opponents to complete passes at a high rate. Miami has ways to create explosive plays, but this four-game film review also shows openings New York needs to exploit. Here are the keys for the Jets.

The Dolphins lean heavily toward the run from under center, use that action to create space behind linebackers, and have a quarterback who can turn a broken play into a big gain. Defensively, Miami generally relies on four rushers and zone coverage. Special teams could also give the Jets a chance to shorten the field.

This breakdown is based on an independent All-22 review of Miami’s games against San Francisco, Kansas City, Minnesota, and Cincinnati in Weeks 2–5. Miami had a Week 6 bye. Statistics below refer to that review window unless otherwise noted; film participation does not establish current player availability.

Miami’s Offense: Respect the Run and the Play-Action

Miami’s quarterback alignment provides a useful tendency. The Dolphins ran on 67 of 98 under-center snaps, a 68.4% rate. From shotgun, they ran on just 24 of 116 snaps, or 20.7%. That gives the Jets a pre-snap clue, but linebackers cannot treat an under-center formation as permission to charge downhill.

Willis can sell the hand off and find a crossing receiver behind the second level. Tight end Greg Dulcich and receiver Chris Bell are players to track across the formation. The Jets need to fit the run while keeping someone responsible for those routes. Taking away the initial hand off means little if the fake opens an easy completion behind it.

The running game starts inside. Of 95 runs with a resolved entry point, 73 attacked inside the original tackle edge. Ollie Gordon broke a 53-yard inside-left run against Minnesota, showing the damage Miami can do when an interior crease opens.

There is enough perimeter action to punish a defense that gets too narrow. Bell gained 26 yards on an end-around against Cincinnati. The backside defender has to respect that threat without losing responsibility for the main run. Miami also gained 22 yards on a weak-side interior run on third-and-ten against Cincinnati, a reminder that down and distance do not eliminate the running game.

For the Jets, this matchup tests their consistency up front. Their Weeks 3–6 review showed 540 yards allowed on 127 designed runs. Cleveland managed only 60 yards on 19 attempts, but Chicago gained 231 on 50. New England added 124 on 32, including a sustained late running drive. Miami has enough variety to test both the interior fits and the defense’s patience.

Keep Malik Willis in the Pocket

Willis completed 58 of 103 attempts with two touchdowns and three interceptions across these four games. He took nine sacks, but the review also identified 14 scrambles. His 39-yard escape against Cincinnati is the play the Jets need to keep in mind when they build their pressure plan.

New York has already seen how sacks and quarterback containment can become separate issues. The Jets recorded eight sacks against Cleveland but still allowed Deshaun Watson escapes of 20 and 11 yards. Against New England, Drake Maye gained 25 yards on three scrambles, including a 21-yard run, while the Jets finished without a sack.

The answer starts with coordinated rush lanes and tackling. An edge rusher flying beyond the pocket can create the opening Willis needs. Interior pressure also needs an outside response so that forcing him off his spot does not simply send him into open grass.

A spy can help in selected passing situations, but that defender comes out of the rush or coverage. The Jets should use that option with a purpose. The larger objective is to make Willis finish possessions with pocket throws and force Miami to sustain drives without donated escape lanes.

Miami’s Defense Gives Geno Opportunities

Opposing quarterbacks completed 90 of 115 attempts against Miami, a 78.3% completion rate, for 970 passing yards, eight touchdowns, and one interception. Those numbers give the Jets a reason to attack, provided they can protect Smith and keep the passing game on schedule.

Miami rushed four on 111 of 126 reviewed defensive drop backs. Five or more rushers came on just nine of the 125 plays with a known rush count. On 13 third-and-seven-or-longer drop backs, Miami sent no five-man blitzes.

The coverage review also leaned heavily toward zone, with 97 zone calls and 21 man calls among 118 classified plays. That supports a plan built around routes at different depths, crossing patterns, and a clear underneath outlet. Garrett Wilson gives the Jets a receiver who can threaten the middle and create individual route wins.

A low blitz rate does not guarantee comfortable protection. Zach Sieler, Jaelan Phillips, Chop Robinson, and Josh Uche provide threats along the front. Miami generated pressure on 28 of 125 classified drop backs, although it finished with only four sacks.

The Jets allowed 15 sacks on 130 drop backs in their Weeks 3–6 review. Protection, receiver separation, and quarterback decisions all matter to that outcome. Smith needs timely answers when Miami’s front wins. New York can challenge this secondary without asking every possession to depend on a long-developing deep shot.

Special Teams Can Shorten the Field

Miami allowed Minnesota a 47-yard kickoff return and a 36-yard punt return, then surrendered an 81-yard opening kickoff return to Cincinnati. Those concessions came in different games and on both kick types, making the return phase a legitimate opportunity for the Jets.

Miami can generate returns, too. Keon Coleman had a 39-yard kickoff return against Kansas City, and Malik Washington gained 28 on a punt return against Cincinnati. New York needs to pursue its own opportunities while keeping coverage lanes intact. Return yardage and penalty enforcement also need to be considered separately when evaluating the resulting field position.

Three Keys to a Jets Win

1. Contain Willis with coordinated pressure, disciplined rush lanes, and reliable tackling. Make Miami earn its passing production from the pocket.
2. Control the interior run without abandoning crossing routes or backside responsibilities. Miami’s play-action and end-arounds can punish overaggressive fits.
3. Give Smith layered routes and quick outlets against Miami’s zone-heavy defense, then capitalize when the return game provides a shorter field.

The opportunities are there. The Jets need to turn them into sustained offense while making Miami work for every first down. Containment, assignment discipline, and timely throws should drive the game plan.

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