Week 14 - Jets vs Dolphins

Just like millions of non-athlete New Yorkers do each December, the Jets (5-8) will travel to Miami in Week 15 to square off with the 9-4 Dolphins. The Dolphins are favored by -8.5 and the OVER/UNDER rests at 40.

There is no shortage of improbable NFL storylines this season, and in that vein we’d like to point out that Jets QB Zach Wilson has been through the New York media ringer as his career arc has gone from franchise QB to Aaron Rodgers understudy, back to starter, back to the bench, and then, after coach Robert Saleh realized Tim Boyle and Trevor Siemian aren’t good at all, back to starter.

In Week 14, Wilson led the Jets in a 30-6 laugher over the Houston Texans, outplayed rookie phenom C.J. Stroud and posted a most impressive 27-of-36 for 301 yards passing with two touchdowns and no picks. Kind of makes you think the Jets might have benefited from sticking with Wilson the whole time, but that’s neither here nor there at this point. The Jets scored 0 points in the first half and 30 in the second last week, so we’ll see if they’ll remain hot or revert to their slow-starting ways vs. the Dolphins.

Miami has been an electrifying team to watch for most of this season, with QB Tua Tagovailoa leading their offense to average 31.6 PPG and seemingly producing long-bomb TDs to WR Tyreek Hill every time an NFL broadcast goes to a game break.

All those points and all the hype didn’t help Tua and the Phins last week, where they melted down in the final four minutes and dropped the game 28-27 at home to the Titans (5-8) and rookie QB Will Levis. Tagovailoa only threw for 240 yards on 23-of-33 passing and didn’t find the end zone.

 

Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill injured his ankle against the Titans in Week 14 and his status for this weekend’s game against the Jets remains up in the air.

The Dolphins didn’t practice on Wednesday and estimated that Hill would not have been a participant if they had held one of their normal sessions. At a Thursday press conference, head coach Mike McDaniel said that the team was still sorting through which of their injured players will be able to work and said that a decision about Hill will be made with an eye toward a bigger picture than just this week.

“He’s such an important part of our team that we’re going to make sure that when he’s on the field, he’s not at risk of further injury to himself,” McDaniel said, via Daniel Oyefusi of the Miami Herald.

Hill is a vital part of any plans the Dolphins have for this season and winning will be a tougher task without him, but the Dolphins may have to choose a little short-term pain in order to reach their long-term goals.

 

Tyreek Hill’s status for Sunday is very much in question, which could put his quest for 2,000 yards receiving in doubt.

Head coach Mike McDaniel said in his press conference that Hill will not practice on Friday and will be questionable for the Week 15 matchup against the Jets. Hill has been sidelined all week by the ankle injury he suffered during Monday night’s loss to Tennessee.

“It’s his career,” McDaniel said, via Cameron Wolfe of NFL Media. “When we talk this is what will happen... if he’s confident he can be himself and I have the support of the trainers, he will play. If it’s not, he won’t.”

Hill currently leads the league with 1,542 yards and 12 touchdowns. Even with Monday’s four-catch, 61-yard performance, Hill is on pace to finish the season with 2,016.2 yards — that is, if he plays this week.

The Dolphins have a few other injury concerns, particularly with running back De’Von Achane also dealing with a toe issue.

Miami’s full injury report with game statuses will be released later in the day.

 

Were going to beat the Jets. 31 - 10.

 

Five major questions related to the Jets:

1. What happened to make Zach Wilson suddenly proficient in the game against Houston on Sunday?

He looked like a completely different player with a renewed approach. After promising to adopt an "Eff it" mentality when he was reinstated as the starter, Wilson delivered. He didn't play like someone who was afraid of making mistakes. Instead, he let it rip and the result was his first 300-yard passing day of the season. As Robert Saleh said, "He played free on Sunday." It also helped that the patchwork offensive line was able to provide adequate protection and Garrett Wilson was consistently winning on his routes. Zach Wilson wasn't hesitant to hit the safety valve when a downfield throw wasn't available, but, with that said, he still took four sacks.

2. How different is the offensive line than the one the Dolphins abused on Black Friday, and can it hold up in this game?

It'll be different, for sure, but that's not necessarily a good thing for the Jets. The Dolphins saw the least-experienced offensive line the Jets have deployed in any game this season. Other than veteran left guard Laken Tomlinson, all of the starters were either rookies or second-year players, including a practice squad call-up (Xavier Newman) at right guard.Mekhi Becton should be available to start at left tackle next to Tomlinson, but rookie center Joe Tippmann has been limited in practice with a shoulder injury. The right side remains in a state of flux. Rookie tackle Carter Warren has been out with a hip injury and Week 14 starter Max Mitchell is dealing with a stinger. Miami defenders should be able to win consistently against the Jets' right side.

3. How well do you think the Jets defense can handle the Dolphins running game after what we saw last time out, or was it just a matter of the defense wearing out because the offense couldn't stay on the field very long?

The Jets' defense has struggled in spurts against the run this year, but I think the Dolphins' success on Black Friday was more of a product of the game flow as opposed to incompetence on the Jets' behalf. New York has held its last two opponents under 100 net yards rushing. Raheem Mostert is having a phenomenal season and he presents more of a challenge than Bijan Robinson or Devin Singletary. I think the Williams brothers (DT Quinnen and LB Quincy) will play an important role in run defense against Miami.

4. What is your gut telling you in terms of whether the big victory against the Houston Texans on Sunday was an aberration or a sign of a team coming to life and possibility being dangerous down the stretch (even if making the playoffs isn't realistic)?

Their defensive ability makes them a threat against any team in the NFL, but it's not feasible to ask the unit to stand on its head every time out. The couple of times they've received a competent effort from the offense, they've fared well against teams with winning records (Texans, Chiefs). If the offense can score 20+ points per game, the Jets can win three of their last four. That's a big "if," though.

5. What do you think is the biggest key to the Jets being able to pull off an upset in this game?

Tyreek Hill's availability is certainly something to consider as I think the Dolphins' offense looks very different without him. Even if Hill is unavailable, the Jets' cornerbacks must take away Tua Tagovailoa's initial options and the pass rush must get home against a banged-up Miami front five. Also, avoiding a Hail Mary pick-six always helps.