Pressure Point: Jonnu Smith answers Miami Dolphins’ prayers in OT, keeps season alive

Note to Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel: Next time get Jonnu Smith involved in the offense during the first 60 minutes and maybe you won’t have to go to overtime to put away a bottom-feeding opponent.

The veteran tight end, who is having a career year in his first season with the Dolphins but was targeted only once during regulation Sunday, surfaced with three receptions for 44 yards in overtime including the decisive 10-yard touchdown catch in an ugly but dramatic 32-26 win over the New York Jets at Hard Rock Stadium.

Consequently, the Dolphins’ season still has a breath of hope. Barely.

At 6-7 the Dolphins are well aware they must win out to have any chance of sneaking into the playoffs. Even that would require stumbles by teams ahead of them.

But for three quarters they played with no apparent sense of desperation and nearly let their most despised rival deal a killing blow to their star-crossed season.

"GOT IT. SMITH. TOUCHDOWN. THE DOLPHINS WIN."@MiamiDolphins score on the first drive of OT to end it 🔥 pic.twitter.com/smwgC3Ayga

— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) December 8, 2024

Zach Sieler’s sack pivotal for Dolphins

It wasn’t until they entered the fourth quarter trailing by eight points that the Dolphins began showing a sense of urgency. It began with a sack of Aaron Rodgers by Zach Sieler that forced the Jets to punt for the first time in the game.

That sparked a frantic comeback that required a 4-yard touchdown toss on fourth down from Tua Tagovailoa to Tyreek Hill, a clutch grab by Jaylen Waddle for the 2-point conversion and finally Jason Sanders’ second field goal beyond 50 yards of the game just to get it to overtime.

It was an impressive comeback. It wasn’t an impressive performance by the Dolphins.

This wasn’t the frozen tundra of Green Bay or the hostile Bills den in Buffalo.

This was Fins friendly weather and cozy confines at Hard Rock Stadium, where the Jets haven’t won since 2014.

The Jets have only won three times this season. They have now lost four in a row and nine of their past 10. It is the type of record that can get your coach and general manager fired in-season, which has already happened to this Jets team.

Yet, they were playing like the playoff contender. The Jets scored on their first five possessions and completely took over the game in the third quarter.

malik washington big return pic.twitter.com/GmItvNWo7g

— josh houtz (@houtz) December 8, 2024

Dolphins respond meekly about playing ‘soft’

After being insulted for playing “soft” in their Thanksgiving loss at Green Bay — even Dolphins linebacker Jordyn Brooks echoed the opinion — it would have figured that the Fins would be playing with a chip on their shoulders.

Instead, the Jets’ rookie running back duo of Isaiah Davis and Braelon Allen were breaking tackles and bowling over Miami defenders. Wide receivers Davante Adams and Garrett Wilson were getting wide open and Rodgers was dropping in easy tosses for big gains.

It didn’t help that the Dolphins were applying little pressure on the 41-year-old quarterback, who was dancing around the pocket like a ’90s MC Hammer singing “U Can’t Touch This.”

Rodgers ended up throwing for 339 yards, ending a 35-game drought without a 300-yard game, dating to 2021.

Dolphins masquerade as playoff contenders

Meanwhile, the Dolphins’ running game got stuffed again, held to 2.3 yards a carry.

On their touchdown drive to open the game, the Dolphins needed four plays to go the final three yards before De’Von Achane managed to bull his way in from the 2.

In other words, these Dolphins do not look like a bonafide playoff contender, nor have they all season.

Call them mathematical contenders. Their number may well hit zero next week at Houston against the AFC South-leading Texans. Three of their last four are on the road. After facing the 49ers at home, they close with cold-weather games at Cleveland and the Jets.

Dolphins are up to 26.8% to make the playoffs after the 1 p.m. window, per @PFN365's Playoff Predictor.

— Adam Beasley (@AdamHBeasley) December 8, 2024

But give them their due for persevering in this one. Somehow.

“Find a way,” was the mind-set, according to wise old defensive tackle Calais Campbell.

Tagovailoa remains on hot streak

They did it with Tagovailoa continuing the hot hand he has had since returning from a four-game absence with a concussion.

Tagovailoa completed 33 of 47 passes for 331 yards, two touchdowns and a passer rating of 104.1. Since his return from injured reserve, he has thrown 15 touchdown passes with one interceptions.

Crazy stat of the day: Tua Tagovailoa dropped back 47 times. The Jets did not record a single QB hit.

Yes, he relied on the quick game a lot, but still — 0-for-47 is not a good batting average. #Jets

— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) December 9, 2024

A revival of the receiving duo of Hill (10 catches for 115 yards and the key fourth-quarter touchdown) and Waddle (nine receptions for 99 yards and the conversion with no room to spare) was vital to the comeback.

It also took a 45-yard kickoff return by Malik Washington that set up Sander’s tying 52-yard field goal with seven seconds left in regulation.

Brooks, who agreed the Dolphins played soft at Green Bay, said of this effort: “I feel like we didn’t play our best today, but when we needed a stop we got one. So I’m proud of that.”

He added, “You’ve got to enjoy this one. You’ve got to enjoy the wins when you can get them. Because it’s hard to get wins in this league.”

Jonnu Smith difference maker in overtime

This one was tougher without the benefit of Jonnu Smith’s contributions until overtime. Inexplicably, the only time he saw the ball before that was an ill-conceived backwards shovel pass by Tua that was incomplete.

When the Dolphins got their hands on the ball in OT, the first two plays went to Smith for 20 and 14 yards.

“I think Jonnu came up and said something to Mike [McDaniel] or had to have to get more included and that’s what happened,” Tagovailoa said. “He didn’t say anything during the game. Not seeing the ball can be discouraging. He never blinked and just took advantage of his opportunities.”

After catching the winning touchdown pass, Smith, who is an openly devout individual, held up his hands in prayer and looked skyward.

For this Sunday, at least, Dolphins prayers were answered in the nick of time. Next Sunday in Houston, they will need to pray, er, play, with more urgency from the start.
And Coach McDaniel, don’t forget about Jonnu Smith.

Craig Davis has covered South Florida sports and teams, including the Dolphins, for four decades. Follow him on the site formerly known as Twitter @CraigDavisRuns.