The Week 4 Monday night showdown between the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins on September 29, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium brings an intriguing clash of AFC East rivals both desperate to regain traction in the early season, with the Jets seeking stability after inconsistent results and the Dolphins aiming to snap a winless skid despite showing flashes of competitiveness. Miami enters at 0–3 but with reinforcements, most notably the return of tight end Darren Waller, whose presence should help open up their offensive playbook and provide Tua Tagovailoa, if healthy and under center, with a trusted weapon across the middle and in red-zone situations where the Dolphins have struggled to finish drives. The Jets, meanwhile, face pressure to prove that their offensive adjustments can finally yield results, as protection breakdowns and turnovers have often erased opportunities to build rhythm. Strategically, Miami’s path to success lies in leveraging Waller’s size and route versatility to stretch New York’s linebackers and safeties, while continuing to take calculated deep shots against a Jets secondary that has been vulnerable to big plays. Their run game will be key to creating balance and preventing New York from teeing off with disguised blitzes.

For the Jets, the offensive formula is built on quick timing routes, screens, and a controlled ground game to slow Miami’s rush and create more manageable third downs, while their defense must prioritize containing Waller and limiting Miami’s explosive perimeter threats. Turnover margin looms as a critical factor in this matchup: New York’s poor ATS record following losses reflects their tendency to compound mistakes, while Miami has shown sharper focus at home when favored, particularly against divisional opponents. With the line sitting at Dolphins -2.5 and a total near 44.5, oddsmakers expect a tightly contested battle that may ultimately be decided by situational execution in the red zone and special teams discipline. The stage is set for a competitive, hard-fought contest where Miami’s hunger for its first win and the Jets’ fight to remain relevant in the division collide under the primetime lights.

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