South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Sunday)
Who has the edge?
Dolphins seeking another Jets sweep, rebound from from two-game skid
The Miami Dolphins (4-4) will host the New York Jets (3-5) on Sunday with both teams looking to snap a two-game losing streak. The Dolphins beat the Jets earlier in the season in Week 2.
When the Dolphins pass:
Brock Osweiler will start his fourth straight game in place of injured quarterback Ryan Tannehill. Osweiler has been serviceable, completing 63.4 percent of his passes with five touchdowns and three interceptions. Osweiler has missed injured receiver Albert Wilson, but he has a new receiving target in DeVante Parker, who had six catches for a career-high 134 yards against the Houston Texans last week. The Jets’ defense is 19th in the NFL, allowing 25 points and 259.8 yards per game. Edge: Dolphins
When the Jets pass: Rookie quarterback Sam Darnold, the No. 3 pick in this year’s draft, has shown flashes but has struggled overall. Darnold has completed only 55.2 percent of his passes, and has 11 touchdowns and 10 interceptions this season. He has completed less than half of his passes in four games, including three of his last four. Against the Dolphins in Week 2, Darnold threw for a career-high 334 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions in Miami’s 20-12 win. The Dolphins have not forced a turnover in their
last two games, but can get back on track against Darnold and the Jets. Edge: Dolphins
When the Dolphins run: Kenyan Drake has scored rushing touchdowns in each of his last two games, but has not gained more than 72 yards in a game this season despite leading Miami with 4.9 yards a carry. Veteran Frank Gore has started the last three games and paced Miami’s offense on early downs, but has yet to score a touchdown this season. The Dolphins rushing attack has averaged 108 yards a game this season, 17th in the NFL, while the Jets defense is 21st giving up 114.9 rushing yards per game. Edge: Dolphins.
When the Jets run: While Miami’s run defense is suspect, they will look to stop the Jets run game and force Sam Darnold to beat them with his arm. Isaiah Crowell, who has scored five rushing touchdowns, is the Jets’ featured back with Bilal Powell out for the season after suffering a neck injury. Crowell had 12 carries for 35 yards against the Dolphins in Week 2, a performance that is on par with most of his production this season outside of a rare outlier — a 219-yard game against the Denver Broncos in Week 5. The Dolphins have given up 878 yards rushing over the last five games. Overall, Miami’s defense is 29th, allowing 143.1 yards a game. Edge: Jets
Special teams: Dolphins return specialist Jakeem Grant is tied for third in the NFL, averaging 32.3 yards per kick return, and is second with 17.4 yards per punt return. He is the only player in the NFL to return a kickoff and punt for touchdowns this season. Jets returner Andre Roberts leads the NFL with
18.1 yards per punt return and is second with
399 kick-return yards behind Grant’s 452. Dolphins rookie kicker Jason Sanders has been efficient, making 9 of 10 field goals with
19 of 20 point-after attempts. Jets kicker Jason Myers leads the NFL with 18 field goals. Dolphins punter Matt Haack is third in the league with 19 punts inside the 20-yard line and 10th in the NFL, averaging 45.7 yards per punt. Jets punter Lachlan Edwards averages 46.5 yards per punt (7th), but has placed just 12 inside the
20. Edge: Dolphins
Intangibles: The Dolphins and Jets both trail the New England Patriots (6-2) in the AFC East. … The Dolphins have lost two in a row, and four of their last five after a 3-0 start. … The Jets have also lost two in a row, after a
3-3 start. … The Dolphins and Jets have both faced the Bears and Lions this season. Miami beat Chicago before losing to Detroit at home, while New York won at Detroit in the opener and lost at Chicago last week. … The Dolphins had extra time to rest after a Thursday night game in Houston last week. Miami has won 14 of its last 20 home games. Edge: Dolphins Prediction: Dolphins 23, Jets 17