KEYSTOTHEGAME

Here are four things the Miami Dolphins need to do to secure a victory at home against the NewYork Jets:

Contain receiver Jamison Crowder

JamisonCrowder, whohas pulled in22receptions he’s turned into335yardsandtwo touchdowns, isblossoming intoadangerousweaponfor theJets. Crowderhasgiven theDolphins trouble in the pastandthis seasonhe’s gained180yardsafterthe catch, and14of his receptions haveproducedfirstdowns. TheDolphins willneedNik Needhamtodoaneffective jobdefending the slot position, whetherit isCrowder, Braxton Berrios orChrisHoganrunning thoseinsideoption routes that areanintricatepartofcoach AdamGase’soffense.

Apply pressure on Joe Flacco

As he’s aged, Joe Flacco has becomea sitting duck behind center as he has routinely been sacked (two lastweek), and forced into committing turnovers because of pressure. That means theDolphins must blitz the 14-year veteran early and often to make him uncomfortable in the pocket. Flacco has a habit of relying on check-down passes, so the Dolphins need to crowd the box and force him to throwdeep to the Jets lackluster receivers as they are covered byXavien Howard and ByronJones.

Attack Jets LBs with TEs and tailbacks

TheJets feature an aggressive 3-4 defense that plays with an uphill style that coordinator GreggWilliams is notorious for, but they don’t exactly have the horsepower tomake it happen at linebackerbecause of injuries and aCOVID-19 opt out. FormerDolphins linebacker NevilleHewitt leads the Jets with 39 tackles, but his coverage skills aren’t up to par. TheDolphinswould benefit fromgetting tight end MikeGesicki and tailbacks Myles Gaskin and MattBreida isolated onHewitt and the rest of theJets linebacker unit, especiallywhenWilliams is calling fora blitz.

Ryan Fitzpatrick has to play a clean game

Fitzpatrick’s playhasbeen quiteuneveninthe season’s firstfivegames. Some games he’shot— throwing multiple touchdowns— and somegames he’sbeen cold— throwing multiple interceptions. TheDolphins needFitzpatrick totake care oftheballagainst theJets, especiallywhenthrowing in the directionofcornerback PierreDesir, whohas three interceptions. Fitzpatrick is completing70.6% of his passes, andplentyofthat has todowith the fact he’sgetting theball out hishandsquickly.