New York Jets beat Miami Dolphins: Week 3 Coaching grades
By Michael Pallas
![EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 24: Head coach Todd Bowles of the New York Jets looks on against the Miami Dolphins during their game at MetLife Stadium on September 24, 2017 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 24: Head coach Todd Bowles of the New York Jets looks on against the Miami Dolphins during their game at MetLife Stadium on September 24, 2017 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fthejetpress-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2017-2F09-2F853141594-miami-dolphins-va-new-york-jets-jpg-850x560-1b0068e18cef87e154474e55160a8088.jpg)
The New York Jets walked into the game on Sunday with the Miami Dolphins reeling and 0-2, and they walked out dominant and 1-2.
After two weeks of being thoroughly dominated by the Buffalo Bills and Oakland Raiders, the New York Jets coaches made some changes. The first change was that they used one of their defensive players at fullback. Defensive end Lawrence Thomas saw 14 snaps at fullback.
The second change the Jets made was at running back. Although it was subtle, running back Bilal Powell played five more snaps against the Dolphins than starter Matt Forte. In comparison to the game against Oakland, where Forte got nine more snaps than Powell. Also, Chad Hansen was inactive for the first time this season.
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It was more drastic on the defensive side of the ball. We saw more of players like defensive end Kony Ealy, cornerback Daryl Roberts, linebacker Dylan Donahue, and safety Terrence Brooks. The Jets cut the playing time of nose tackle Steve McLendon, cornerback Juston Burris, and linebacker Josh Martin.
We saw the Jets swarm to the ball, and open things up on offense. The addition of a defensive player on offense and times where they used six linemen was implemented at the right time.
The team is showing growth in multiple areas from Week 2. The coaches have stuck with what they believe in and didn’t panic. They allowed this team to grow without making unnecessary drastic changes.
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It’s going to be a long road of growth for this team. The coaches know it won’t be a smooth one, but much like head coach Todd Bowles, this team seems to be even keel, and that is a good thing. They’re not allowing emotions to get the best of them, and they’re beginning to see the growth that management wants.