If there’s one game remaining this season that head coach Adam Gase would love to win at all costs, it’s Sunday’s showdown against his former team, the Miami Dolphins. The Jets were expected to walk over Miami in Week 9, but instead they became the first team to lose to the winless Dolphins. The Dolphins, who were supposedly tanking this season to get the number one draft pick, have won two more games since then and are just one game behind the Gang Green in the division standings.
The Jets still lead the all-time series between the two teams, 54-52-1, but the Dolphins have won the last four meetings. Dolphins QB Ryan Fitzpatrick threw for 288 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT in Week 9 against Gregg Williams’ defense. WR DeVante Parker is having a career season. He had career high 159 receiving yards and 2 TDs in last week’s upset win against the Eagles. Miami’s offense is ranked 30th in the league (one spot above the Jets). They are 24th in passing and dead last in rushing. The Jets are about as bad. Adam Gase’s passing attack is ranked 30th in the NFL, while running game is ranked right above Miami at 31st.
The current betting line has the Gang Green as 5.5-point favorites at Caesars casino & Sportsbook. They are also favored -240 without the point spread. The bookies are expecting a pretty high scoring game, as the total points over/under is set at 45.0. Surprisingly, bets are still being accepted on the Jets doing the impossible and winning the AFC. It’s at +250,000, so a one dollar bet would bring a $250K payout…
The two offensive lines are also pretty similar in strength. The Dolphins have allowed 49 sacks (tied for the worst in the league), while the Jets have allowed 46 (3rd worst). Miami’s line has also allowed the league worst 105 hits on the quarterback. The Jets are not too far behind with 87 hits allowed (4th worst).
The Gang Green’s offense has been abysmal on 3rd down, converting just 28% (31st in the NFL). Miami’s better in that department. They have converted 35% (22nd in the NFL). Penalties have been another big problem for Gase’s team. The Jets’ offense has committed 97 penalties (5th worst), while Miami’s unit has been penalized only 70 times (4th best).
On the defensive side, the Jets should have a considerable advantage. The Gang Green’s defense is ranked 6th best in the league, giving up only 317 yards per game. Miami’s defense is ranked 3rd worst – 400 yards/game. Both defenses are poor on third downs: Jets – 43%, Miami – 44%. Miami is also giving up 143.5 yards on the ground (2nd worst in the NFL). Will the Jets finally try to exploit it and unleash Le'Veon Bell or keep passing like they did in the Cincy fiasco last Sunday? The Gang Green’s run defense is number one in the NFL – just 75.2 yards/game.
The Dolphins are dead last in the league with just 16 sacks. The Jets have 27 sacks but 12 of those came in two games against poor teams.
Interesting Jets vs. Raiders facts:
- Ken O’Brien holds the single game passing record. He threw for 479 yards against Miami in 1986.
- Vinny Testaverde is the only Jets quarterback who threw 5 touchdowns passes in a game against the Dolphins. He did it in 2000.
- Current Miami quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick threw 4 touchdowns passes against the Dolphins in 2015 when he led the Jets to a 38-20 win.
- RB Freeman McNeil holds the single game rushing record against Miami – 173 yards in 1985.
- WR Eric Decker holds the single game receiving record against Miami – 221 yards in 2014.
- WR Wesley Walker caught 4 touchdown passes in the same game when O’Brien set the passing record in 1986.
- Last Jets running back who gained over 100 yards on the ground against the Dolphins is Chris Ivory. He rushed for 166 yards in 2015.
- WR Brandon Marshall is the last Jets wide receiver who had over 100 receiving yards against Miami. He caught 9 passes for 131 yards, 2 TDs in 2015.
- RB Leon Washington is the last Jet to score a return touchdown against the Dolphins. Washington scored on a 98-yard kickoff return in 2007.