Jets eliminated from playoff contention after shutout loss to Dolphins

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The Jets came into this season believing they were a playoff team capable of competing for a Super Bowl.

Better luck next year.

The dream is officially over, and perhaps the same finally can be said for Aaron Rodgers’ return to the field this season.

The Jets suffered an embarrassing 30-0 loss to the Dolphins on Sunday afternoon at Hard Rock Stadium and were officially eliminated from playoff contention for the 13th consecutive season. It’s the longest active streak in all of professional sports.

“It’s disappointing,” coach Robert Saleh said. “Starting from the first series of the year all the way until now, it’s just been a constant battle.”

The Jets (5-9) did not battle in this game. They were outcoached, outschemed, outmuscled and outperformed as they clinched a losing season for the eighth straight year.

“It’s a good old [butt]-whupping, man,” cornerback D.J. Reed said. “Sometimes you get your [butt] whupped.”

Receiver Allen Lazard said, “They outschemed us, out-efforted us.”

The Dolphins (10-4) did, which is a poor reflection on the Jets’ coaching staff. They did not have their team prepared against a hungry Dolphins team that was without some key players, including star receiver Tyreek Hill.

“It’s very disappointing,” Garrett Wilson said. “We practice all week. You practice your whole life and you go out there and play like this. It’s disappointing.”

The Jets couldn’t handle Miami’s pressure or the pressure to win to keep Rodgers’ comeback hopes alive.

Zach Wilson was knocked out of the game in the first half with a concussion, but the game already was over when he left.

This was a terrible performance coming off such an impressive showing by Wilson and the offense in last week’s 30-6 win over the Texans. The Jets couldn’t protect their quarterbacks and never got anything going offensively.

They were outscored 24-0 in the first half and outgained 197 yards to 4. Wilson exited late in the second quarter and was replaced by Trevor Siemian. Jets quarterbacks were sacked six times, were hit 14 times and committed four turnovers.

“They won the battle up front right from the get and just made it hard for us to get anything going,” Saleh said.

This should once and for all end the Rodgers return fairytale, although he still might push to play. Rodgers tore his left Achilles tendon four snaps into the season and has been putting in the work to return.

Although the expectation is that Rodgers will be cleared for contact this week, the organization might overrule him and tell him to wait until next season. Rodgers targeted a Dec. 24 return, but he has said that for him to play, the Jets have to have a chance to make the playoffs. They no longer do.

“There is no discussion to be had until he’s actually cleared,” Saleh said.

It’s hard to imagine the Jets letting Rodgers play behind their offensive line, which was under siege. Wilson was hit hard and sacked on his second dropback, and his fumble gave the Dolphins the ball at the Jets’ 1. It was an omen of what was to come.

Wilson completed 4 of 11 passes for 26 yards and was sacked four times in the five series he played. When he initially left, CBS reported that he was getting hydrated. Then the Jets announced it was a head injury and finally a concussion. He’s now in the protocol.

It’s possible that he has played his last game as a Jet. Wilson, who was benched earlier this season, reportedly was reluctant to take back his starting job for fear of getting hurt.

“He’s taken some shots this year and he’s got up,” Garrett Wilson said. “The reality is you’re not going to be able to get up from every one of those things . . . I know he would have done anything to stick out there and make it happen because that’s just how he’s built and how he’s wired. When he goes out, you know it’s for real. Tough cat. I hate to see it.”

Siemian was 14-for-26 for 110 yards with two interceptions and a fumble.

Not having Hill didn’t slow the Dolphins’ offense. Tua Tagovailoa, who completed his first 13 pass attempts, finished 21-for-24 for 224 yards and a touchdown. Jaylen Waddle had eight catches for 142 yards. Raheem Mostert rushed for two TDs, giving him 18 this season. His 17th set the single-season franchise mark.

Things went badly for the Jets from the very beginning.

On their first series, Wilson fumbled at the 4 after being sacked by Bradley Chubb. Zach Sieler picked it up and was tackled at the 1. Mostert punched it in for a 2-yard TD on third down.

Jason Sanders kicked a 37-yard field goal to put Miami ahead 10-0 after a failed fake punt by the Jets gave the Dolphins the ball at the Jets’ 41. The Dolphins took a 17-0 lead on a 60-yard touchdown pass from Tagovailoa to Waddle, who beat Reed.

A 1-yard touchdown run by Mostert made it 24-0 with 1:03 left in the half. Siemian came in for Wilson, and the drive fittingly ended with Siemian getting sacked.

“It’s definitely frustrating,” Sauce Gardner said. “Beginning this season, we wanted to able to compete in the playoffs. I don’t know what to say for real.”

By Al Iannazzone

al.iannazzone@newsday.comAl_Iannazzone

Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.