Here’s a take a look at how the Miami Dolphins (8-8) and New York Jets (7-9) match up in six key areas forward of Sunday’s Week 18 sport at Hard Rock Stadium (1 p.m., Fox):
When the Dolphins run: Expect this to be an enormous a part of the sport plan since quarterback Tua Tagovailoa once more gained’t be obtainable to play on account of his most up-to-date concussion. Backup Teddy Bridgewater’s standing can also be doubtful, so Miami is perhaps all the way down to its third-stringer Skylar Thompson. It confirmed in final Sunday’s loss to the New England Patriots that coach Mike McDaniel will run usually on first down with a backup quarterback in.
Both Jeff Wilson Jr. and Raheem Mostert have been round 3.0 yards per carry with their alternatives in Foxborough. The availability of left deal with Terron Armstead will probably be pivotal to ensure that Miami to get the bottom sport going. The Dolphins additionally now have Liam Eichenberg again at left deal with for Robert Jones.
The Jets have a middle-of-the-pack run protection, rating sixteenth within the league at 119.1 yards allowed per sport. The Dolphins’ speeding offense is twenty seventh at 95.3 yards per sport. Defensive deal with Quinnen Williams will probably be a problem to dam. Middle linebacker and fellow Pro Bowl choice C.J. Mosley has a whopping 151 tackles on the season, which ranks eighth within the league. Edge: Jets
When the Jets run: Breece Hall was an issue for the Dolphins within the first matchup this season, however he’s on injured reserve now and the New York floor sport is just not practically as intimidating. The Jets haven’t surpassed 100 speeding yards as a group of their previous 4 video games.
Rookie Zonovan Knight had a stretch the place he appeared spectacular, however he has since hit a wall. Michael Carter and Ty Johnson haven’t discovered room to run both all through New York’s five-game dropping streak. The lack of proper guard Alijah Vera-Tucker, a first-round decide in 2021, to a triceps damage has proved very important to the Jets’ blocking up entrance.
Expect Miami’s eighth-ranked run protection to dominate when New York goes to the bottom, forcing the Jets into passing downs and third-and-longs. Christian Wilkins leads all NFL defensive linemen with a career-high 92 tackles, so anticipate him to proceed to be a menace. Edge: Dolphins
When the Dolphins go: It’s unclear at this level if it’s Bridgewater or Thompson to start out at quarterback. Bridgewater seemed to be managing the offense nicely in New England till he threw the expensive pick-six that turned the tides and injured his pinky finger within the course of. Thompson couldn’t get the offense shifting till a late landing drive with the Patriots already up two scores. Veteran Mike Glennon was signed to the apply squad in case he’s wanted as a backup’s backup’s backup.
Having Armstead obtainable to guard the blindside of any of those right-handed quarterbacks will probably be essential. Whoever’s throwing the ball must simplify issues and get the ball to Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle for large performs. Arguably the league’s most harmful receiving duo must make issues occur for whoever’s at quarterback.
With rookie Pro Bowl cornerback Sauce Gardner main the secondary, the Jets have the NFL’s No. 2-ranked go protection. The go rush is an enormous cause why. Williams leads the group with 12 sacks, and the Jets rank seventh within the NFL with 44 as a group. Edge: Jets
When the Jets go: Quarterback Mike White, the Broward County highschool product out of University School, which is positioned on the Nova Southeastern University campus, similar to the outdated Dolphins facility, has had his moments. For one, in his first of 4 begins this season, he was 22 of 28 for 315 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions in a win over the Chicago Bears. Since, he has accomplished 55.1 % of passes, and not using a landing go and 4 interceptions in three losses.
Garrett Wilson is a formidable rookie large receiver, already surpassing 1,000 yards this yr. Tight finish Tyler Conklin is used incessantly within the Jets offense, and former St. Thomas Aquinas High large receiver Elijah Moore has gotten again into the combination of the offense considerably after a midseason funk the place he was not utilized.
With Vera-Tucker on injured reserve, the Jets even have accidents to watch to a few present beginning linemen. While the Dolphins have struggled in go protection with a banged-up secondary, they should get a go rush going towards an ailing New York offensive line. Cornerback Xavien Howard and edge rusher Bradley Chubb may present a lift after lacking final Sunday’s loss to the Patriots. Edge: Dolphins
Special groups: Missed kicks from the Dolphins’ Jason Sanders are a factor once more. Four of his six missed discipline targets on the yr have come from 50-plus yards, nevertheless. Although particular groups total has been a battle for Miami, punter Thomas Morstead has been a vivid spot, and he had an amazing coffin nook punt in New England. The Dolphins now have punt returner Cedrick Wilson Jr. coping with a hip damage.
Jets kicker Greg Zuerlein has additionally missed six discipline targets this season. He’s 28 of 34. Former University of Miami standout Braxton Berrios is all the time strong within the return sport. Standout particular teamer Justin Hardee made his first Pro Bowl this season. Edge: Jets
Intangibles: Both groups are available in on five-game dropping streaks, so one thing’s obtained to provide. The Dolphins are preventing for his or her playoff lives and want the Patriots to fall towards the Bills so as to get in.
Miami has extra to play for as New York is solely enjoying spoiler, however don’t low cost South Florida standouts seeking to present out again of their hometown with an opportunity to damage a division rival’s playoff probabilities. Edge: Dolphins
PREDICTION: Dolphins 24, Jets 20
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Source: www.bostonherald.com