Monday Night Football is set to bring the heat in South Florida as the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets, both desperate for a win, prepare to face off at Hard Rock Stadium on September 29, 2025. With both teams entering Week 4 at 0-3, it’s not just another game—it’s a battle to avoid the dreaded 0-4 start that can all but doom a season before it truly begins. The stakes? Oh, they’re sky-high. The fans? Anxious and hopeful, clinging to the possibility of a turnaround.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. ET, with ESPN broadcasting the action and Fubo offering streaming for those tuning in from afar. For diehards hoping to catch the drama live, tickets are still up for grabs on StubHub, SeatGeek, and Vivid Seats. The venue, Hard Rock Stadium, will be buzzing with anticipation as two teams on parallel losing streaks square off under the primetime lights.
Let’s be honest: neither squad expected to be winless after three weeks. The Dolphins, who suffered defeats at the hands of the Colts (33-8), Patriots (33-27), and Bills (31-21), are feeling the pressure. The Jets, meanwhile, have also stumbled out of the gate, their own three-game skid weighing heavily on the locker room. Both fanbases are hungry for hope, and Monday night could be the start of something new—or a continuation of early-season misery.
Injury concerns loom large for both teams, making the margin for error razor-thin. The Jets’ latest injury report lists cornerback Jarvis Brownlee Jr. (ankle) and defensive end Jermaine Johnson II (ankle) as non-participants in practice—never a good sign for a defense that’s already giving up an average of 31.0 points per game. Safety Tony Adams (hip), wide receiver Josh Reynolds (hamstring), running back Kene Nwangwu (hamstring), and defensive tackle Jay Tufele (illness) were all limited participants. On the bright side, quarterback Justin Fields, who had been in concussion protocol, was a full-go in practice, a much-needed boost for New York’s struggling offense.
Miami’s injury situation is nearly as dire. Cornerbacks Duck Strom (ankle) and Jason Marshall Jr. (hamstring) both sat out practice, leaving the Dolphins’ secondary thin against a Jets team looking to air it out. Wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (shoulder) and tight end Darren Waller (hip) were limited, while safety Ifeatu Melifonwu (calf) managed a full session. With so many key contributors banged up, depth could be the deciding factor as the game wears on.
The statistical matchup is, well, a mixed bag. The Dolphins are averaging just 18.7 points per game—a number that doesn’t exactly strike fear into opponents—but they’ll be facing a Jets defense that’s been generous, surrendering 31.0 points per contest. Miami’s offense has managed 281.7 yards per game, a full 58.6 yards fewer than what the Jets’ defense has allowed on average (340.3). Both teams are dead even in yards per play: Miami gains 5.6, and New York gives up exactly that. Could this be the week the Dolphins break out, or will the Jets’ defense finally clamp down?
On the flip side, the Dolphins’ defense has been even more porous, giving up an eye-popping 32.3 points per game—9.3 more than the Jets’ offense has managed to put up (23.0). New York’s offense, for its part, has been sluggish, tallying just 271.7 yards per game, which is 98.6 less than what Miami’s defense has surrendered (370.3). The Jets average 5.1 yards per play, while the Dolphins give up 6.3. It’s a clash of weaknesses, and something’s got to give.
Betting markets have pegged Miami as a slight favorite, with the Dolphins favored by 2.5 points. The moneyline sits at Miami -150 and New York +125, while the over/under has been set at 45 points, with both sides of the total priced at -110. These odds reflect just how evenly matched these squads appear on paper—neither team has shown enough to inspire overwhelming confidence, but both have the talent to snap their losing streak with a big performance.
For those keeping an eye on the Dolphins’ schedule, this game is just the beginning of a critical stretch. After hosting the Jets, Miami will travel to face the Carolina Panthers on October 5, then return home to take on the Los Angeles Chargers on October 12. With the season threatening to spiral, a win on Monday night could be the spark that ignites a turnaround.
Jets fans, meanwhile, are eager to see if the return of Justin Fields at full strength can jumpstart an offense that’s struggled to find consistency. Fields’ mobility and arm talent are undeniable, but he’ll need help from a supporting cast that’s been hampered by injuries. Josh Reynolds and Kene Nwangwu, both dealing with hamstring issues, will be game-time decisions, while the defense must find a way to generate pressure without Jermaine Johnson II.
Miami’s offense, led by the dynamic Jaylen Waddle—if he’s able to play through his shoulder injury—will be looking to exploit a Jets secondary missing key pieces. Darren Waller’s status will also be crucial; his ability to stretch the field and create mismatches could be a difference-maker if he’s healthy enough to contribute. The Dolphins’ backfield, while not explosive so far, will have to find ways to keep the chains moving and control the tempo.
Hard Rock Stadium is sure to be electric, with both teams’ seasons hanging in the balance. The crowd will be watching closely to see which team seizes the moment and which one wilts under the pressure. Will Miami’s home-field advantage tip the scales, or can the Jets silence the doubters and notch their first win on the road?
As kickoff approaches, the only certainty is that both squads are hungry for redemption. Injuries, inconsistent play, and mounting pressure have set the stage for a high-stakes showdown—one that could define the trajectory of the season for either franchise. The Dolphins and Jets may be winless, but there’s no shortage of drama as they prepare to clash in primetime. The action is about to unfold, and for fans of both teams, hope springs eternal—at least until the final whistle blows.
With both teams seeking to avoid a disastrous 0-4 start, Monday night’s matchup at Hard Rock Stadium promises intensity, urgency, and perhaps a season-defining moment. The outcome remains up in the air, but one thing’s for sure: all eyes will be on Miami as the Dolphins and Jets battle for their first taste of victory in the 2025 NFL campaign.
