NFL News & Analysis

NYJ-MIA grades: D-line shines in Dolphins win

at the Hard Rock Stadium on November 6, 2016 in Miami Gardens, Florida.

New York Jets 23, Miami Dolphins 27

Here are the highest-graded players and top takeaways from the Dolphins' 27 – 23 win over the Jets on Sunday:

Miami Dolphins

Quarterback grade: Ryan Tannehill, 46.4

Ryan Tannehill had a quiet game for the Dolphins, as he didn’t make any potentially costly throws. There was also very little to get excited about — with only two completions over 10 yards, the Dolphins relied on their defense and special teams to win the game (well outside of a dropped snap on a punt, redeemed by a kick return of a touchdown).

Top offensive grades:

T Ja’Wuan James, 78.1
TE Dominique Jones, 73.1
G Laremy Tunsil, 72.9
WR Jarvis Landry, 72.6
HB Jay Ajayi, 71.6

The talk of the past few weeks has been running back Jay Ajayi, as he rushed for over 200 yards in the previous two games. While he was unable to keep that crazy pace going he did manage to give the Dolphins enough offense to keep them ahead of the down and distance, and he produced a couple of big plays to help the Dolphins to a win, as the passing game was quiet.

Top defensive grades:

ED Cameron Wake, 87.1
CB Bobby McCain, 86.6
DI Ndamukong Suh, 85.4
ED Andre Branch, 84.9
DI Jordan Phillips, 82.5

The Dolphins were able to give the Jets' offensive line headaches all day in the passing game. All four starting defensive linemen recorded multiple pressures each, and the line was highlighted by the play of veteran Cameron Wake, who was able to sack Fitzpatrick and force two fumbles as his speed was to much for Breno Giacomini. While Wake had the best two plays attacking the quarterback, this game may be remembered by defensive tackle Jordon Phillips' interception, during which he dropped into coverage and showed the type of hands a big defensive tackle does not normally possess.

New York Jets

Quarterback grade: Ryan Fitzpatrick, 36.5

Since Fitzpatrick came back after he was benched two games ago, he played around an average QB level, however this week poor-play Fitzpatrick was back. Fitzpatrick threw two bad interceptions — one during which he completely misread the dropping defensive tackle Jordan Phillips — and another during which he tried to throw the ball away but was unable to get it out of the back of the end zone. What really hurt Fitzpatrick was pressure — he was under pressure on 16 of 34 passes and only had a QB rating of 31.6 when he was under pressure.

Top offensive grades:

C Wesley Johnson, 78.2
WR Jalin Marshall, 78.7
WR Brandon Marshall, 70.3
WR Robby Anderson, 70.3
HB Matt Forte, 61.4

With the injury to Jets No. 2 WR Eric Decker, the wide receiver group looks weak on paper, however against the Dolphins No. 3 and No. 4 receivers Jalin Marshall and Robby Anderson both looked to be good assets. Anderson has the deep speed that the Jets offense needs, and could open things up underneath for some of their bigger wide receivers.

Top defensive grades:

DI Leonard Williams, 86.6
ED Lorenzo Mauldin, 80.3
CB Darrelle Revis, 78.5
DI Steve McLendon, 76.5
S Calvin Pryor, 73.4

The defensive line for the Jets is and will be the strength as long as they keep Williams, Wilkerson and Richardson together. Neither Richardson or Wilkerson started this game, but both played a large chunk. The real strength of the Jets defense was Williams, who was too strong and too fast for RG Bushrod in particular, as Williams was able to record four stops and eight total hurries.

PFF Game-Ball Winner: Dolphins ED Cameron Wake

PFF’s player grading process includes multiple reviews, which may change the grade initially published in order to increase its accuracy. Learn more about how we grade and access grades for every player through each week of the NFL season by subscribing to Player Grades.

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