The AFC East rivalry heats up as the New York Jets (3-9) prepare to face the Miami Dolphins (5-7) this Sunday afternoon. This matchup marks the first of two encounters this season, with another meeting scheduled for Week 18. Last week, the Jets faced off against the Seahawks, suffering a narrow defeat of 26-21 despite being 1.5-point favorites at home. Meanwhile, the Dolphins had a longer break after their Thanksgiving game, where they fell 30-17 to the Packers as 3.5-point underdogs on the road. Currently, the Dolphins are favored by 5.5 points in this contest, which will kick off at 1:00 PM EST from Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, airing regionally on CBS.
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Who will emerge victorious in this AFC East showdown? Read on for the Jets vs. Dolphins prediction.
New York’s Quarterback Dilemma
The New York Jets currently hold a 3-9 record. While they are not yet mathematically out of playoff contention, the situation is precarious, especially with the 3-10 Patriots already eliminated. The future of the Jets’ season hinges on whether they want to proceed with Aaron Rodgers at the helm. Although Rodgers claimed he has nothing left to prove in the remaining games, speculation surrounds whether owner Woody Johnson will opt to continue with him as the team’s leader next year. In the recent loss to the Seahawks, Rodgers completed 185 passing yards, throwing two touchdowns but also one interception.
After the game, Rodgers addressed the media, stating, “Then comes the fourth quarter — it’s execution, it’s strain, it’s the little things, it’s accuracy. And we just have a lot to go around, myself included, first and foremost.” He has accumulated 2,627 passing yards this season, maintaining a 62.5% completion rate and a solid 19-8 touchdown to interception ratio. Notably, Rodgers has displayed less mobility this year, with only 65 rushing yards to his name. Breece Hall leads the Jets’ rushing attack with 692 yards but is questionable due to a knee injury. Should Hall be unable to play, rookie Braelon Allen could step in as the primary running back. Garrett Wilson remains the standout receiver, ranking 7th in the NFL with 74 receptions, 763 yards, and five touchdowns.
The Jets rank 26th in the league in scoring, averaging just 18.8 points per game, while their defense sits at 15th, allowing 22.3 points per game. Jamien Sherwood leads the team with 107 tackles, contributing to the Jets’ total of 37 sacks this season. Will McDonald IV has made a significant impact as the sack leader with 10, while defensive tackle Quinnen Williams follows with six. The Jets’ defense has recorded only two interceptions all year, both from cornerback Brandin Echols.
Injury Report:
Questionable: RB Breece Hall, CB Sauce Gardner, G Alijah Vera-Tucker, T Morgan Moses, WR Allen Lazard
Dolphins Keep Playoff Hopes Alive
The Miami Dolphins find themselves in a challenging position for the playoffs but are still in contention. As it stands, the final Wild Card spot would go to the 8-5 Broncos, with the 6-7 Colts closely behind, and the Dolphins trailing them. The return of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa from concussion protocol adds a layer of optimism for the Dolphins. They have triumphed in three of their last four games, defeating teams like the Rams, Raiders, and Patriots. However, their Thanksgiving Day loss against the Packers saw Tagovailoa throw for 365 yards, yet the team still fell short.
Calais Campbell, a key defensive lineman, commented on the Dolphins’ resilience after the Green Bay defeat, stating, “We fought hard. We have no quit in us. I really genuinely believed we were going to give ourselves a chance to win at the end.” Tagovailoa has played in eight games this season, amassing 2,125 passing yards with an impressive 74.5% completion rate and a 15-4 touchdown to interception ratio. He has only rushed for 47 yards, opting not to risk further injury. De’Von Achane leads the Dolphins in rushing with 576 yards and three touchdowns. Tyreek Hill is listed as questionable due to a wrist injury, having recorded 654 receiving yards and four touchdowns this season. Tight end Jonnu Smith has also made significant contributions, with 58 receptions for 648 yards and four touchdowns.
The Dolphins currently rank 24th in scoring with 19.3 points per game, while their defensive unit is 14th, allowing 22.3 points per game. Jordyn Brooks leads the team in tackles with 104, while safety Jordan Poyer follows with 69. The Dolphins have recorded 21 sacks this season, with Calais Campbell contributing four. The defense has secured seven interceptions, with cornerback Jalen Ramsey accounting for two of those.
Injury Report:
Questionable: WR Tyreek Hill, T Kendall Lamb, DT Benito Jones, CB Kendall Fuller, S Jordan Poyer, RB Raheem Mostert
Best Bets for New York Jets vs. Miami Dolphins
