New York Jets vs. Miami Dolphins: 2021 Week 15 Recap

Game story

In Week 15 of the 2021 NFL season on 2021-12-19, the Miami Dolphins took care of business against the New York Jets, pulling away with a 31–24 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 21 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

Z. Wilson (New York Jets) paced the passing game, with -10.67 total EPA, and -12.9% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, I. Ford (Miami Dolphins) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +5.75 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-28.0% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Miami Dolphins changed the game: (7:52) (Shotgun) 1-T.Tagovailoa pass short left intended for 84-H.Long INTERCEPTED by 26-B.Echols at MIA 20. 26-B.Echols for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 I. Ford · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +5.75 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.92 EPA/play
2. 2 D. Parker · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +3.51 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.44 EPA/play
3. 3 R. Griffin · New York Jets · Receiving · +2.98 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.49 EPA/play
4. 4 D. Johnson · Miami Dolphins · Rushing · +2.69 total EPA · 23 snaps · +0.12 EPA/play
5. 5 B. Berrios · New York Jets · Rushing · +2.65 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.33 EPA/play
6. 6 T. Kroft · New York Jets · Receiving · +2.64 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.32 EPA/play
7. 7 T. Coleman · New York Jets · Rushing · +2.34 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.29 EPA/play
8. 8 J. Crowder · New York Jets · Receiving · +1.86 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.23 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• New York Jets — B. Berrios (Q1 52:08)
• Miami Dolphins — D. Johnson (Q2 43:47)
• New York Jets — Z. Wilson (Q2 39:30)
• Miami Dolphins — D. Johnson (Q3 24:52)
• Miami Dolphins — C. Wilkins (T. Tagovailoa pass) (Q4 14:27)
• New York Jets — B. Echols (Q4 7:52)
• Miami Dolphins — D. Parker (T. Tagovailoa pass) (Q4 3:43)

Field goals

• New York Jets — E. Pineiro (Q1 49:33)
• Miami Dolphins — J. Sanders (Q2 32:02)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: New York Jets won the period 10–0. New York Jets found the end zone from the MIA 2 (Q1 52:08) — (7:08) 10-B.Berrios right end for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New York Jets added 1 points from the MIA 15 (Q1 52:02) — 15-E.Pineiro extra point is GOOD, Center-42-T.Hennessy, Holder-7-B.Mann.; New York Jets connected on a field goal from the MIA 9 (Q1 49:33) — (4:33) 15-E.Pineiro 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-T.Hennessy, Holder-7-B.Mann..

The second quarter: Miami Dolphins won the period 10–7. Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the NYJ 1 (Q2 43:47) — (13:47) 94-C.Wilkins and 65-R.Jones reported in as eligible. 28-D.Johnson right tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Miami Dolphins added 1 points from the NYJ 15 (Q2 43:42) — 7-J.Sanders extra point is GOOD, Center-44-B.Ferguson, Holder-5-M.Palardy.; New York Jets found the end zone from the MIA 1 (Q2 39:30); New York Jets added 1 points from the MIA 15 (Q2 39:29) — 15-E.Pineiro extra point is GOOD, Center-42-T.Hennessy, Holder-7-B.Mann.; Miami Dolphins connected on a field goal from the NYJ 6 (Q2 32:02) — (2:02) 7-J.Sanders 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-B.Ferguson, Holder-5-M.Palardy..

The third quarter: Miami Dolphins won the period 7–0. Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the NYJ 6 (Q3 24:52) — (9:52) (Shotgun) 28-D.Johnson right guard for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Miami Dolphins added 1 points from the NYJ 15 (Q3 24:44) — 7-J.Sanders extra point is GOOD, Center-44-B.Ferguson, Holder-5-M.Palardy..

The fourth quarter: Miami Dolphins won the period 14–7. Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the NYJ 1 (Q4 14:27); Miami Dolphins added 1 points from the NYJ 15 (Q4 14:23) — 7-J.Sanders extra point is GOOD, Center-44-B.Ferguson, Holder-5-M.Palardy.; New York Jets found the end zone from the NYJ 84 (Q4 7:52); New York Jets added 1 points from the MIA 15 (Q4 7:45) — 15-E.Pineiro extra point is GOOD, Center-42-T.Hennessy, Holder-7-B.Mann.; Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the NYJ 11 (Q4 3:43) — (3:43) (Shotgun) 1-T.Tagovailoa pass short left to 11-D.Parker for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Miami Dolphins added 1 points from the NYJ 15 (Q4 3:37) — 7-J.Sanders extra point is GOOD, Center-44-B.Ferguson, Holder-5-M.Palardy..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• Miami Dolphins (Q4 7:52) — (7:52) (Shotgun) 1-T.Tagovailoa pass short left intended for 84-H.Long INTERCEPTED by 26-B.Echols at MIA 20. 26-B.Echols for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -28.0% · EPA -6.92]
• Miami Dolphins (Q4 3:43) — (3:43) (Shotgun) 1-T.Tagovailoa pass short left to 11-D.Parker for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +16.5% · EPA +3.35]
• Miami Dolphins (Q4 6:28) — (6:28) (Shotgun) 37-M.Gaskin right guard to NYJ 28 for 30 yards (35-S.Neasman). NYJ-26-B.Echols was injured during the play. [WPA +12.7% · EPA +2.18]
• Miami Dolphins (Q1 52:02) — (7:02) (Shotgun) 1-T.Tagovailoa pass deep left intended for 88-M.Gesicki INTERCEPTED by 21-A.Davis at MIA 43. 21-A.Davis to MIA 25 for 18 yards (11-D.Parker). [WPA -11.1% · EPA -5.64]
• New York Jets (Q4 13:05) — (13:05) (Shotgun) 2-Z.Wilson sacked at MIA 38 for -7 yards (92-Z.Sieler). FUMBLES (92-Z.Sieler), touched at MIA 38, RECOVERED by MIA-91-E.Ogbah at MIA 39. [WPA -10.3% · EPA -5.88]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• Miami Dolphins (Q4 7:52) — (7:52) (Shotgun) 1-T.Tagovailoa pass short left intended for 84-H.Long INTERCEPTED by 26-B.Echols at MIA 20. 26-B.Echols for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -28.0% · EPA -6.92]
• New York Jets (Q4 13:05) — (13:05) (Shotgun) 2-Z.Wilson sacked at MIA 38 for -7 yards (92-Z.Sieler). FUMBLES (92-Z.Sieler), touched at MIA 38, RECOVERED by MIA-91-E.Ogbah at MIA 39. [WPA -10.3% · EPA -5.88]
• Miami Dolphins (Q1 52:02) — (7:02) (Shotgun) 1-T.Tagovailoa pass deep left intended for 88-M.Gesicki INTERCEPTED by 21-A.Davis at MIA 43. 21-A.Davis to MIA 25 for 18 yards (11-D.Parker). [WPA -11.1% · EPA -5.64]
• Miami Dolphins (Q4 10:27) — (10:27) (Punt formation) 42-C.Fejedelem FUMBLES (Aborted) at MIA 44, RECOVERED by NYJ-98-S.Rankins at MIA 45. [WPA -7.0% · EPA -3.51]

Quarterback report card

Z.Wilson led all passers in efficiency for New York Jets, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• Z.Wilson (New York Jets) · 34 dropbacks · 38.2% completion · -12.9% CPOE · -0.31 EPA/play · -10.67 total EPA
• T.Tagovailoa (Miami Dolphins) · 32 dropbacks · 50.0% completion · +1.6% CPOE · +0.03 EPA/play · +1.09 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Miami Dolphins held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (-0.04 vs -0.12), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Miami Dolphins: 13 drives, -3.31 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
• New York Jets: 12 drives, -8.41 total EPA, 3 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• Miami Dolphins leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
• I. Ford (Miami Dolphins) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• Z. Wilson (NYJ) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. New York Jets TD (+6) — Q1 52:08 · MIA 2 · Score 6-0
   (7:08) 10-B.Berrios right end for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. New York Jets XP (+1) — Q1 52:02 · MIA 15 · Score 7-0
   15-E.Pineiro extra point is GOOD, Center-42-T.Hennessy, Holder-7-B.Mann.
3. New York Jets FG (+3) — Q1 49:33 · MIA 9 · Score 10-0
   (4:33) 15-E.Pineiro 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-T.Hennessy, Holder-7-B.Mann.
4. Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q2 43:47 · NYJ 1 · Score 10-6
   (13:47) 94-C.Wilkins and 65-R.Jones reported in as eligible. 28-D.Johnson right tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
5. Miami Dolphins XP (+1) — Q2 43:42 · NYJ 15 · Score 10-7
   7-J.Sanders extra point is GOOD, Center-44-B.Ferguson, Holder-5-M.Palardy.
6. New York Jets TD (+6) — Q2 39:30 · MIA 1 · Score 16-7
   (9:30) (No Huddle) 2-Z.Wilson right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Official reviewed the runner broke the plane ruling, and the play was Upheld. The ru
7. New York Jets XP (+1) — Q2 39:29 · MIA 15 · Score 17-7
   15-E.Pineiro extra point is GOOD, Center-42-T.Hennessy, Holder-7-B.Mann.
8. Miami Dolphins FG (+3) — Q2 32:02 · NYJ 6 · Score 17-10
   (2:02) 7-J.Sanders 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-B.Ferguson, Holder-5-M.Palardy.
9. Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q3 24:52 · NYJ 6 · Score 17-16
   (9:52) (Shotgun) 28-D.Johnson right guard for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10. Miami Dolphins XP (+1) — Q3 24:44 · NYJ 15 · Score 17-17
    7-J.Sanders extra point is GOOD, Center-44-B.Ferguson, Holder-5-M.Palardy.
11. Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q4 14:27 · NYJ 1 · Score 17-23
    (14:27) 65-R.Jones and 94-C.Wilkins reported in as eligible. 1-T.Tagovailoa pass short left to 94-C.Wilkins for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on NYJ-98-S.Rankins,
12. Miami Dolphins XP (+1) — Q4 14:23 · NYJ 15 · Score 17-24
    7-J.Sanders extra point is GOOD, Center-44-B.Ferguson, Holder-5-M.Palardy.
13. New York Jets TD (+6) — Q4 7:52 · NYJ 84 · Score 23-24
    (7:52) (Shotgun) 1-T.Tagovailoa pass short left intended for 84-H.Long INTERCEPTED by 26-B.Echols at MIA 20. 26-B.Echols for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
14. New York Jets XP (+1) — Q4 7:45 · MIA 15 · Score 24-24
    15-E.Pineiro extra point is GOOD, Center-42-T.Hennessy, Holder-7-B.Mann.
15. Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q4 3:43 · NYJ 11 · Score 24-30
    (3:43) (Shotgun) 1-T.Tagovailoa pass short left to 11-D.Parker for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
16. Miami Dolphins XP (+1) — Q4 3:37 · NYJ 15 · Score 24-31
    7-J.Sanders extra point is GOOD, Center-44-B.Ferguson, Holder-5-M.Palardy.