The worst thing about the Dolphins’ 34-10 victory over the New York Jets in Week 14 is also quietly one of the best things, too

The Dolphins’ best player got hurt on Sunday, but what happened next appears to be a game-changer for Miami.

Kyle Crabbs — NFL National Writer
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The Miami Dolphins continued their stellar stretch of running the football in Week 14, which helped to fuel a 24-point win over the New York Jets. Miami, which won 34-10 amid nearly 250 rushing yards on the ground and a strong defensive effort against young Jets quarterback Brady Cook, jumped out to an early 21-0 lead and did not look back.

As a result, it was a game short on drama. That is, of course, except waiting for an injury update for star running back De’Von Achane. Head coach Mike McDaniel gave us that after that game — all good things. But what happened in his absence, which was the worst thing about this win, may ironically end up being the best thing to come from the win.

Jaylen Wright’s breakout performance for could change things for Miami in the final four weeks

Miami Dolphins running back Jaylen Wright (5) runs with the ball against the New York Jets during the second half at MetLife Stadium.

Second-year running back Jaylen Wright played a starring role in Miami’s win on Sunday. The Dolphins paid a handsome price to acquire Wright as a rookie out of Tennessee in the 2024 NFL Draft, sending a 2025 third-round draft choice to obtain a 2024 fourth-round pick and select Wright. His rookie season appeared to flash promise but quickly fell by the wayside, and his second season in South Florida was even less eventful.

Until Sunday.

Wright logged his first career 100-yard rushing performance with 24 carries and 107 rushing yards against the Jets. Wright entered Week 14 with just one career game that exceeded 35 rushing yards (86 in Week 5 of 2024), marking an obvious, massive breakout.

The productive day is a lot more meaningful than just a feel-good moment for a young player who is trying to make his mark in the league, however. It could, and should, be a moment of enlightenment for McDaniel’s 2025 version of the offense.

Dolphins RB Jaylen Wright’s best career rushing performances

  • 2025 Week 14: 24 carries, 107 yards, one touchdown vs. New York Jets
  • 2024 Week 5: 13 carries, 86 yards vs. New England Patriots
  • 2024 Week 7: 5 carries, 33 yards vs. Indianapolis Colts
  • 2024 Week 4: 9 carries, 32 yards vs. Tennessee Titans

It wasn’t just that Wright was hitting runs consistently. It was how he ran the football. And where he ran the football. Wright mashed the ball downhill between the tackles, giving the Dolphins some explosive juice on powerful runs that gutted New York. On his 24 carries, Wright posted just three negative runs. None of his runs went for more than 12 yards, meaning Wright persistently gouged the Jets with healthy chunks on most of his runs.

As a matter of fact, nearly half of Wright’s carries on Sunday against the Jets (11) totaled between six and 12 yards gained, and all of those 11 runs posted at least half of the needed yardage to a first down. It was a consistent day at the office.

For the Dolphins, it can be a pivot point. The team has been riding Achane heavily in the last month of the season. Rightfully so. But if this run-heavy approach for the Dolphins is going to sustain itself across the final four weeks, the Dolphins need more fuel with their backfield than a single bell-cow. Wright can be exactly that.

If he can run with this same level of burst, physicality, and confidence between the tackles, the Dolphins may have the fresh legs required to turn their ground game from the Achane show to a legitimate, diversified attack on the ground. And that would be worth a bit of an injury scare to Achane, so long as that’s all it actually was — a scare.

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