Aaron Glenn
NFL New York Giants at New York Jets - JetNation.com - New York Jets Blog & Forum
The New York Jets came up just short against the Miami Dolphins in Week 7, suffering a heartbreaking 28-25 loss at MetLife Stadium. Despite trailing by as many as 14 points, the Jets fought their way back into the contest and had an opportunity to make things interesting late in the fourth quarter. However, the comeback ultimately fell short, leaving New York searching for answers after another disappointing result.
While the loss is certainly frustrating, there were still positives to take away from the afternoon. The Jets showed some fight offensively, made a few impactful plays on defense, and had individual contributions on special teams that deserve recognition. In a season where wins have been difficult to come by, highlighting those performances is important, even when the final score doesn’t go the team’s way.
With that in mind, it’s time to hand out three game balls to players who stood out against Miami. One player will be recognized for his contributions on offense, another for his work on defense, and a third for his impact on special teams. These selections aren’t meant to overshadow the team’s shortcomings, but rather to acknowledge the individuals who gave the Jets a chance to compete and provided some bright spots in an otherwise disappointing Week 7 loss.
Offense: Mason Taylor, TE
If there was one player who deserved a game ball for the Jets’ offensive performance against the Miami Dolphins, it was tight end Mason Taylor. The second-year tight end delivered his most productive performance as a pro, hauling in five receptions for 62 yards and two touchdowns in New York’s heartbreaking 28-25 loss. While the result wasn’t what the Jets wanted, Taylor gave Geno Smith a reliable target when the offense needed someone to make a play.
Taylor opened the scoring for New York, hauling in a 13-yard touchdown reception on the team’s opening drive. His ability to use his 6-foot-5 frame and make a contested catch over Miami’s Jason Marshall Jr. showcased exactly what the Jets can get from him in the red zone. However, Taylor saved his biggest moment for late in the fourth quarter. With New York trailing by 11, he hauled in a 12-yard touchdown pass before catching the two-point conversion to bring the Jets within three points. Unfortunately, the comeback fell just short.
Mason Taylor gets his second TD of the day and this one is a BEAUTY.
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— NFL (@NFL) October 25, 2026
Taylor wasn’t the only Jet who deserved recognition. Rookie wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. continued his impressive stretch, finishing with five receptions for 115 yards and a touchdown, including explosive catches of 52 and 60 yards. Meanwhile, Braelon Allen provided a spark on the ground, rushing for 104 yards on 17 carries while adding 30 receiving yards.
Despite the loss, all three offensive players gave the Jets reasons for optimism moving forward.
Defense: Jamien Sherwood, LB
Jamien Sherwood earns the defensive game ball for the Jets in their Week 7 loss to the Miami Dolphins, delivering a busy afternoon in the middle of New York’s defense. Although the Jets ultimately fell 28-25, Sherwood was consistently involved in the action, finishing with eight total tackles, including four solo stops, and two passes defended. His ability to contribute against both the run and the pass made him one of the more active defenders on the field.
Sherwood’s tackle numbers reflect how frequently he was around the football. Against a Miami offense that finished with 360 total yards, the Jets needed their defensive leaders to make plays and limit opportunities for explosive gains. Sherwood’s four solo tackles demonstrated his involvement in stopping plays himself, while his two pass breakups showed that he was also making an impact when the Dolphins went through the air.
Of course, there were still issues for New York’s defense. Miami managed to score 28 points and put together several lengthy drives, including a 15-play possession late in the first half. The Dolphins also delivered the decisive blow with a 63-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter.
Despite those struggles, Sherwood’s individual production deserves recognition. He didn’t record a sack or force a turnover, but his eight tackles and two passes defended made him a reasonable choice for the defensive game ball in a narrow defeat.
Special Teams: Austin McNamara, P
Austin McNamara deserves the special teams game ball for the Jets in their Week 7 loss to the Miami Dolphins, but that says more about the lack of positives from this unit than anything else. While the rookie punter had a solid afternoon, New York’s special teams were downright bad again, continuing to be a frustrating issue for a team that cannot afford to give away opportunities.
McNamara punted twice for an impressive 55-yard average, including a booming 62-yard punt in the fourth quarter that helped flip the field. He also placed one punt inside the 20-yard line, giving the Jets a chance to make Miami work for its next possession. For a punter who had limited opportunities, McNamara did his job and gave New York some much-needed field position.
Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the entire unit. Miami’s Jaylen Wright consistently found room on kickoff returns, finishing with 131 yards on five attempts, an average of 26.2 yards per return. Those returns gave the Dolphins favorable starting field position and put additional pressure on a Jets defense that was already struggling to get stops. New York also failed to generate any meaningful impact in the return game, with Isaiah Williams managing just seven yards on his lone punt return.
McNamara deserves credit for his individual performance, but the bigger picture remains concerning. The Jets need their special teams to contribute, not create another problem. Against Miami, the punter did his part. The rest of the unit needs to be significantly better.