"I think it was a game-changing play. I think it went from kind of a close game to one where we dominated."
MIAMI GARDENS — Defensive back Jack Jones was in a strange location (the 'A' gap) at an unlikely time (Monday night) to produce what has been the rarest result (a turnover) for the much-maligned Miami Dolphins defense.
Jones forced the Miami defense's first turnover of the 2025 season in the first quarter against New York Jets on Sept. 29, punching the ball out from running back Braelon Allen as he was plunging into the end zone for an apparent touchdown.
Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick recovered the fumble to spoil the Jets' potential go-ahead drive and Miami took advantage with a touchdown to build an early 10-point lead.
The Dolphins maintained a two-possession advantage for much of their 27-21 victory on "Monday Night Football," Miami's first win of the 2025 season.
Jones, a July signing who's become the Dolphins' No. 1 cornerback due to injuries, was happy to soak in the laurels from teammates in a bittersweet Miami locker room after kickstarting the defense's three-turnover night.
"I think it was a game-changing play," Jones said. "I think it went from kind of a close game to one where we dominated. I feel like we dominated that game. We started up and we stayed up the whole game.
"I was in the 'A' gap as a corner. That's rare, you rarely see a corner in the 'A' gap. Then I just spun off of a block and when I spun off the block, I saw a punch opportunity."
Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel, who was at times lost for words in the wake of the team's first win and loss of star wide receiver Tyreek Hill, eventually landed on "monumental" to describe what he called the turning point in the game.
"The first takeaway epitomized what I see our team to be," McDaniel said. "I think it was an 80-yard drive and ... no one quit. There were a lot of plays that guys weren't fired up about on that drive. We kept playing, kept fighting and made them earn each yard down to the red zone and then you get the takeaway."
Dolphins finally convert 'shots on goal'
The Dolphins (1-3) have taken plenty of scrutiny for a variety of defensive woes under second-year coordinator Anthony Weaver.
Miami's defense allowed scores on the first 10 drives of the season, a streak which extended to 13 when including the end of the 2024 season.
Even after eventually forcing the Patriots to punt in Week 2, Miami's defense still struggled to offer positive outcomes, allowing more than 30 points in each of team's first three losses and no takeaways.
The struggles prompted Weaver to make an emotional plea to his unit through the media.
"At some point again, it comes down to changing the math through violence," Weaver told reporters on Sept. 26. "I need you to whip that guy's a-- in front of you and then fall off and make a play."
Weaver's plea for violence was ultimately answered by Jones' punch on Monday night. The fourth-year defensive back credited the forced fumble to the defense's renewed emphasis of getting "shots on goal."
"We've been working on that all week trying to get the ball out," Jones said. "That was the only goal, to get shots on goal and it ended up popping out."
Eric J. Wallace is deputy sports editor for The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Could Dolphins' first turnover be 'turning point' for Miami defense?
Category: Football
