The Miami Dolphins secured their first victory of the NFL season with a 28-25 win over the New York Jets, ending a six-game losing streak that threatened the franchise with a winless campaign, Touchdown Actu reported. In a busy Sunday slate across the league, Tampa Bay routed Carolina 43-13 behind Baker Mayfield’s milestone 200th touchdown pass, Minnesota extended its undefeated run to 6-0 by edging Indianapolis 16-10, and Cleveland slipped past Tennessee 27-24 on a game-winning field goal.
Miami Breaks Through Against New York
Miami erased the threat of a winless year by holding off the New York Jets 28-25 in an offensive divisional duel. The Dolphins staked claim to their first lead of any game this season during a 21-point first quarter that set the tone for the afternoon. Malik Willis completed 14 of 21 passes for 208 yards and two touchdowns while adding 39 yards and another score on the ground. The Dolphins’ rushing attack churned out 157 yards to keep the Jets’ defense off balance. Geno Smith engineered a strong reply for New York by connecting on 23 of 30 passes for 287 yards and three touchdowns with one interception, but the Jets failed to execute when possessions tightened. The defeat places mounting pressure on New York head coach Aaron Glenn.
Tampa Bay Overwhelms Carolina Early
Baker Mayfield needed just seven completions on 11 attempts for 64 yards and a touchdown as the Buccaneers cruised to a 43-13 victory against the Carolina Panthers. Mayfield reached his 200th career touchdown pass on an improvised play during a lopsided first half that saw Carolina commit three turnovers, concede four sacks, rush for just 28 yards, and manage only five first downs. Tampa Bay built a 33-6 halftime advantage that effectively decided the outcome. Sean Tucker added 52 yards on seven carries with a touchdown as the Buccaneers finished with 258 yards rushing. Bryce Young endured a difficult evening for Carolina, completing 14 of 27 passes for 163 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions before being replaced by Kenny Pickett, who made his first appearance of the season and completed three of four passes for 47 yards.
Minnesota Edges Indianapolis to Stay Unbeaten
Minnesota improved to 6-0 and stretched its winning streak to 11 games dating back to the end of last season by defeating the Indianapolis Colts 16-10. Blake Cashman fueled the defensive effort with 12 tackles, two sacks, and four deflected passes. The Vikings fell behind early after failing to convert on fourth down and allowing Jonathan Taylor to break free for a 39-yard touchdown run. Taylor finished with 95 yards on 18 carries. Trailing 10-6 at halftime, Minnesota capitalized on field position in the third period when Kyler Murray scrambled for a 35-yard gain, setting up a touchdown reception by tight end T.J. Hockenson that put the hosts ahead for good. Murray finished 14 of 24 for 150 yards and a score alongside 39 yards rushing. Daniel Jones threw an interception to veteran safety Harrison Smith in the final minutes to extinguish Indianapolis’s last hope.
Cleveland Rallies Past Tennessee at the Final Gun
Andre Szmyt kicked a 32-yard field goal with three seconds remaining to lift the Cleveland Browns to a 27-24 victory over the Tennessee Titans in Nashville. Cleveland fell behind 14-0 within the first nine minutes after Tony Pollard scored two rushing touchdowns from 36 and 10 yards out for Tennessee. The Browns responded by piling up 491 total yards against Tennessee’s 322, leaning on 183 yards rushing at 6.3 yards per carry. Quinshon Judkins scored twice on short runs to tie the game at 14-14, and Szmyt added a 28-yard field goal right before halftime. After a scoreless third quarter, Joey Slye tied the game for Tennessee with a 29-yard kick before Deshaun Watson scrambled nine yards for a touchdown to give Cleveland a 24-17 edge with four minutes left. Pollard answered with his third touchdown run of the day to tie it again at 24-24, setting up Szmyt’s game-winner after both teams had traded fumbles and interceptions.
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