Here’s a have a look at how the Miami Dolphins (3-1) and New York Jets (2-2) match up in six key areas forward of Sunday’s Week 5 recreation at MetLife Stadium (1 p.m., CBS):
When the Dolphins run: Miami has not gotten its floor recreation going within the first 4 video games of the Mike McDaniel period. The Dolphins rank twenty ninth within the league with 277 yards dashing and twenty eighth at 3.5 yards per try. They haven’t damaged 100 yards dashing in any of their video games this season.
Raheem Mostert, who has familiarity with McDaniel going again to San Francisco, appears to have a slight edge on Chase Edmonds. Mostert is averaging 3.8 yards per carry whereas Edmonds is at 3.0.
The Jets haven’t been unhealthy in run protection. Their 3.7 yards per try towards them is sixth within the NFL. They held the Ravens to 63 dashing yards and Bengals to 69 of their losses, however they really allowed extra of their wins (119 towards the Steelers, 184 towards the Browns). Quinnen Williams is stable for them at defensive sort out, and so they have veteran linebacker C.J. Mosley on the coronary heart of the protection, main New York with 41 tackles in 4 video games. Edge: Jets
When the Jets run: New York doesn’t have a scary working recreation both — twenty eighth in whole dashing (350 yards) and twenty second in yards per try (4.1). The Jets have two upstart younger tailbacks, although, in rookie Breece Hall and second-year runner Michael Carter. Hall has the leg up early on this season, at 4.7 yards per carry to Carter’s 3.7. Veteran guard Laken Tomlinson, whom McDaniel and Jets coach Robert Saleh are each aware of from the 49ers and made a Pro Bowl final yr, was a key offseason pickup on the road.
The Dolphins have been above common stopping the run, and that’s despite the fact that they’ve given up a number of lengthy scampers, particularly towards cell quarterbacks, which have skewed the stats. Their 415 dashing yards towards by 4 video games really place them No. 11 within the league. Defensive tackles Christian Wilkins and Zach Sieler are the important thing up entrance, and nostril sort out Raekwon Davis is one other week faraway from his knee harm. Linebacker Jerome Baker and powerful security Brandon Jones are tied for the group lead with 27 tackles. Edge: Dolphins
When the Dolphins go: Tua Tagovailoa is out recovering from his concussion, and Teddy Bridgewater is about to make his first begin for his hometown Dolphins. Bridgewater is an skilled backup who has 63 NFL begins to his credit score. He’s 33-30 in these video games, and the final time he crammed in for an injured starter, he had a 5-0 stretch with the 2019 New Orleans Saints whereas Drew Brees was injured.
He mentioned this week, “I honestly believe it’s the most firepower that I’ve ever been around,” in talking of the playmakers he has at his disposal, led by receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Hill leads the NFL with 477 receiving yards, and Waddle is sixth with 381. The Dolphins’ passing offense ranks third within the NFL.
Rookie first-round choose Sauce Gardner and fellow cornerback D.J. Reed can have their fingers full. Veteran free security Lamarcus Joyner, a Southwest Miami High and St. Thomas Aquinas High alum, is coming off an immense recreation within the win over the Steelers, with two interceptions and 4 go deflections. Quinnen Williams, dashing from the inside, has 2 1/2 sacks already, and rookie defensive finish Jermaine Johnson has his 1 1/2. Edge: Dolphins
When the Jets go: Quarterback Zach Wilson’s return from his knee harm might have offered a spark for the Jets towards Pittsburgh, however he solely accomplished 50 p.c of passes, threw one landing and was intercepted twice. He was on the receiving finish of one other landing thrown by University of Miami alum Braxton Berrios, although.
Corey Davis, rookie Garrett Wilson and second-year standout Elijah Moore (a Western High and St. Thomas Aquinas alum) present a formidable receiving trio. Tight finish Tyler Conklin and working backs Hall and Carter get lively within the passing recreation, too. The Jets really rank proper behind Miami, fourth within the NFL in passing offense. The banged-up Dolphins secondary can have its fingers full as Xavien Howard and Keion Crossen’s well being is a priority whereas Byron Jones continues to be not coming off the PUP record.
The Dolphins haven’t been capable of get their go rush going early within the season, however going through the Jets might present the chance to get it rolling. New York has Mekhi Becton, Duane Brown and George Fant as tackles on injured reserve, and Max Mitchell seems unlikely to play Sunday. Look for Emmanuel Ogbah, Jaelan Phillips, Melvin Ingram and the Miami edge rushers to eat towards the Jets’ backup tackles. Edge: Even
Special groups: If it’s not a kick return allowed for a landing, it’s a “butt punt” or a missed additional level. The Dolphins have had their share of particular groups blunders in latest weeks. Berrios is all the time stable within the return recreation, too. As a lot discuss as there was within the preseason about Miami utilizing its stars on kick and punt returns, it hasn’t produced huge particular groups performs.
One constructive for the Dolphins has been punter Thomas Morstead pinning opponents down with the assistance of his gunners. Kicker Jason Sanders is 5 of 6 along with his one miss coming past 50 yards. Greg Zuerlein for the Jets is 7 of 8 on the yr and has additionally missed an additional level. New York’s Braden Mann is averaging 45.7 yards on his punts. Edge: Jets
Intangibles: The Jets are rolling off their win over the Steelers and enjoying at house. The Dolphins are coming off the downer of getting Tagovailoa go down the final time they performed. Miami can also be coming off the mini-bye of enjoying Thursday night time the week earlier than, so that they had time to regroup. The Dolphins even have the psychological benefit of successful the previous 4 within the rivalry sequence and eight of the previous 9. The McDaniel-Saleh teaching matchup will likely be fascinating as with the previous 49ers assistants going towards one another. Edge: Dolphins
PREDICTION: Dolphins 27, Jets 20
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Source: www.bostonherald.com