This is one of the most important games left on Miami's schedule. Win this and you go to 8-3 on the season with games against Washington and Tennessee up next. Win this game and you go to 3-1 in the division, and end the Jets season (and Aaron Rodgers comeback hopes). Win this and if the Bills lose to the Eagles in Philadelphia, you gain a 2.5 game lead in the AFC East. Think this is a big game?
Last Week:
Miami beat the Raiders 20-13
Jets lost to the Bills 32-6
Advantages:
QB: Dolphins
- I don't care who the Jets throw out there at QB, neither of them is on the same level as Skylar Thompson let alone Tua Tagovailoa. Tua does need to be smart with the ball this week as he is up to 3 lost fumbles and 8 interceptions on the season. Miami's offense just needs to play a smart game this week and not get too risky. You are playing Tim Boyle this week so just be smart Tua!
RB: Dolphins
- Remember that chart that came out that listed the Dolphins running back room as 4th in the divison? Good times. Mostert is on his way to 20+ TDs and over 1100 yards rushing while we will await the status of De'Von Achane for Friday. Now don't get me wrong, Breece Hall is a good player but because of the QB play and the offensive line, Hall has no room to run. I mean, look at his last 5 games and his yards per carry!
- Last 5 games: 2.3, 2.2, 3.1, 1.4, and 3.3.
WR: Dolphins
- The Jets receiving core is awful outside of Garrett Wilson. It's almost like betting on guys like Allen Lazard and Randal Cobb just because Rodgers said so wasn't the best idea. Xavier Gipson has had some nice moments but at this point he is nothing more than a gadget guy. Meanwhile Miami has Tyreek Hill who is on pace for 2k receiving yards and Jaylen Waddle who needs to get the football more (this is becoming a weekly comment from me).
TE: Jets
- Both unit isn't great but the Jets have the advantage thanks to Tyler Conklin's strong season. Keep an eye out for the Jets trying to get Jeremy Ruckert more involved in the offense after the team benched C.J Uzomah.
OL: Dolphins
- The Dolphins miss Robert Hunt but the unit had a solid game against the Raiders on Sunday. Austin Jackson continues to play lights out this season while Terron Armstead and Connor Williams hold it down at LT and C (I didn't think Terron played great against the Raiders but he is still obviously one of the best in the league). I think my big question is, where would Liam Eichenberg rank on this Jets offensive line? It's that bad and it might be even worse depending on the health of Mehki Becton.
DL/EDGE: Jets
- What gives the Jets the edge here is the depth of the Jets defensive line against Miami's depth. Both rosters feature really good players at each spot on the defensive line. While I think Miami has the better top end talent at edge rusher with Chubb and Phillips, the Jets just have too many guys they can send in and not miss a beat. Bryce Huff, Jermaine Johnson, and John Franklin-Myers have been playing great and while Quinnen Williams might not have the statistical success that he had last year, he is playing out of his mind. This is going to be a MASSIVE game for the Dolphins offensive line.
LB: Jets
- C.J Mosley and Quincy Williams are the best linebacker duo in the NFL and it isn't even close in my opinion. The Dolphins want to attack the middle of the field but that is going to be very hard this week with this duo inside.
CB: Push
- Jalen Ramsey and Xavien Howard against Sauce Gardner and D.J Reed. Enough said right? Miami just needs to make sure that Sauce Gardner doesn't HOLD out on all the good Black Friday deals.
S: Jets
- Jordan Whitehead has had a fantastic season so far and Tony Adams has done a really solid job replacing Chuck Clark so far, but we will see about Adam's status for Friday after a nasty hand injury. If Adams can't go, expect to see Adrian Amos for the Jets. I just wish Miami was getting more from their safeties this season. Both have been really good but neither is making game changing plays, like the Jet duo has, and both let Davante Adams get past them on Sunday.
Key Injuries
The Dolphins have some big injuries to keep track of heading into this game. Robert Hunt missed his second game in a row and his return is going to be crucial to this team being able to move the ball offensively. The idea of having Lester Cotton and Liam Eichenberg out there against the Jets defensive line scares the you know what out of me. De'Von Achane reinjured his knee and while McDaniel said he was trying to go back in, this will be one to watch with how safe Miami has played it with injuries this year. Durham Smythe and Braxton Berrios are the other two guys to watch as Miami is really going to need the blocking ability of Smythe and the smarts to read and sit in zones of Berrios against this Jets team.
For the already super banged up Jets, Mekhi Becton got hurt against Buffalo and had to be carted to the locker room with an ankle injury that appears to be a high ankle sprain. The Jets are already down several offensive linemen but should get Duane Brown back this week which would help mitigate the loss of Becton but still, the Jets are really banged up on the offensive line.
Key Story Lines/Keys to Victory
Miami's key to victory is really really simple. DON'T GIVE THEM LIFE. The reason why teams like the Giants and Raiders were in games with Miami this year is because of the self-inflicted wounds Miami has endured because of turnovers. The Jets offense is horrible, it took them 40 drives to score another touchdown and now you will be playing Tim Boyle who doesn't have the athleticism that Zach Wilson has so there are no excuses for this Dolphins team. The Dolphins have only allowed 1 TD in their last 19 drives and the defense SHOULD be able to ground the Jets offense.
Miami needs Tua Tagovailoa to play an efficient, turnover free day and the running game needs to find new life after a few games of just being okay. This isn't going to be one of those games where the offense goes to 400+ yards and marches up and down the field. McDaniel is going to have to call a smart, sound game that includes getting the ball out quick to avoid the Jets pass rush as much as possible.
Prediction:
I have to take Miami to win a low scoring, probably very frustrating, game. If the Jets had even an ounce of competent QB play I would probably lean into the Jets winning at home on a short week but I just can't pick them.
Dolphins 20 Jets 10