The Miami Dolphins host the New York Jets on Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium in need of a win and some help for a chance to make the playoffs.
Miami dropped their fifth successive contest last Sunday 23-21 versus the New England Patriots, while the Jets were officially eliminated from postseason contention following a 23-6 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
Match preview
© Reuters
It is a New Year, but for Mike McDaniel and his Dolphins, last Sunday was the same old story as it's been since December, with Miami turning the ball over multiple times for a second successive outing.
As a result, their playoff destiny is no longer in their hands, with the Fins needing a win and a Buffalo Bills victory over the New England Patriots to extend their season.
Throughout the campaign, they have been a pass-heavy offence, averaging 273.2 yards a game, the third-highest mark in the league, while their rushing attack has averaged over 4.5 yards per carry despite being rarely utilised.
Defending the pass has not been easy for them throughout the 2022 campaign, allowing a rating of 96.9, along with 27 touchdown catches.
The Dolphins have dropped their last three games against AFC East opponents, though all of those losses came on the road, while they have won four in a row versus their division at Hard Rock Stadium.
They have not been able to create multiple turnovers in a single game since the end of November when Miami picked off Houston Texans quarterback Kyle Allen twice and recovered a fumble in a 30-15 triumph, their last victory of the season.
© Reuters
New York's offence proved to be their undoing once again last weekend, with the Jets failing to find the end zone now in eight consecutive quarters.
In the summer of 2021, they thought they had their future quarterback drafting Zach Wilson as the number two overall pick, but neither he nor the others operating behind centre have given head coach Robert Saleh any assurances that they can handle that sort of pressure.
Offensively New York have turned the ball over multiple times in back-to-back games, having tossed at least one interception in four of its last five encounters.
Those subpar displays in possession have wasted some outstanding defensive performances by this group, who have held opposing passing attacks to an 80.8 rating this season and allowed an average of 6.8 yards through the air, good for first and second, respectively, in the NFL.
Their defensive line have also stepped up and done its job, ranked seventh in quarterback sacks (44), including four on the Seahawks' Geno Smith on New Year's Day.
The Jets have lost four consecutive road games, scoring fewer than a dozen points in four of their previous five encounters away from home.
- W
- L
- L
- L
- L
- L
- W
- L
- L
- L
- L
- L
Team News
© Reuters
The Dolphins' dynamic duo of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle were each held to under 60 yards receiving against the Patriots, Teddy Bridgewater and Skylar Thompson both had a touchdown throw and interception, Raheem Mostert had a TD catch, as did Mike Gesicki.
Zach Sieler, Christian Wilkins and Jevon Holland all had a quarterback sack last week, while a missed field goal by Jason Sanders proved decisive, with the Dolphins losing by just two points.
Tua Tagovailoa missed their previous game because of a concussion, Eric Fisher has a calf strain, Kendall Lamm is dealing with a sore ankle and Xavien Howard might be forced out of this game due to a knee injury.
The return of Mike White in New York did not go as many had hoped, with the Jets QB tossing a pair of interceptions versus the Seahawks, Ty Johnson averaged 5.8 yards per carry on the ground, Tyler Conklin led them with six catches for 80 yards, while Corey Davis put up 45 yards receiving on three grabs.
Sauce Gardner is the leading candidate for defensive rookie of the year, with the Jets cornerback defending four passes last week and leading the league in that category for first-year players, CJ Mosley made eight tackles on New Year's Day, John Franklin-Myers and Carl Lawson each had a sack in their previous encounter, while Micheal Clemons and Solomon Thomas both had half of one.
Vinny Curry took part in practice this week despite previously hurting his biceps, Jordan Whitehead has a sore hamstring, Nate Herbig is dealing with a calf strain and Laurent Duvernay-Tardif might not be available because of a knee injury.
Head To Head
New York won their previous meeting versus Miami this season when Michael Carter ran for a pair of touchdowns, while Zach Wilson, Breece Hall and Braxton Berrios each had one rushing score in a convincing 40-17 triumph.
That narrowed the overall record between the two clubs to 57-56-1 in the Dolphins' favour, with Miami winning the previous four meetings.
Last December when they faced off, Duke Johnson run for a score, while Wilkins and Devante Parker each had a TD catch in the fourth quarter, helping the Fins win 31-24.
These teams met for the AFC Championship in the 1982 season, with the Dolphins coming away with a 14-0 victory as Woody Bennett ran for a touchdown and AJ Duhe had a pick-six.
We say: Miami Dolphins 20-19 New York Jets
If Tua is unable to play, that might complicate things for Miami offensively, although as good as the Jets are on defence, they have not shown they can make their possessions count.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joel Lefevre
