Dolphins need a bounce-back win

When the Dolphins run: Rookie Salvon Ahmed was unable to break loose against the Broncos as he did after notching career marks the previous week against the Chargers. He only rushed for 43 yards in Denver, one week after 85 yards and a touchdown. But the Dolphins still will rely on him to pace the offense at one of the team’s thinnest position groups this season. Veteran Matt Breida had just two carries in his first game back from a hamstring injury, and others such as Patrick Laird and newcomer DeAndre Washington have not been effective. The Dolphins’ run game is third worst in the NFL, rushing for 94.4 yards per game, and will face the Jets defense, which is 11th, allowing 111.7 yards per game to opponents. Edge: Jets

When the Jets run: Frank Gore, the former University of Miami great and one-year Dolphin, scored a goal line touchdown last week in the Jets’ loss to the Chargers for his first touchdown of the season. Gore, who has 447 yards this season, will continue to play a featured role in the Jets offense after the departure of LeVeon Bell and a high ankle sprain sustained by rookie La’Mical Perine last week. The ageless wonder (Gore’s 37) will face a Dolphins defense, the sixth-worst against the run, hoping to bounce back after allowing the Broncos’ tandem of Melvin Gordon and Phillip Lindsey to account for 166 yards and two touchdowns. Edge: Dolphins

When the Dolphins pass: Dolphins rookie Tua Tagovailoa struggled mightily in his fourth start, as the Broncos’ defense confused and pressured him enough to cause coach Brian Flores to bench him in the fourth quarter. Tagovailoa was 11 of 20 for 83 yards, and the Dolphins totaled 100 yards of offense before veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick entered the game with 10:44 remaining and nearly led a comeback. The Dolphins might continue to use both quarterbacks in decisive games this season, but keep Tagovailoa as the starter to develop him. The Jets could give Tagovailoa a tough look too, but they enter the game giving up the second-most points (30.2 per game) and fifth-most yards (400.0) in the league. Edge: Dolphins

When the Jets pass: The Jets’ quarterback situation might be up in the air this week with Sam Darnold returning to practice from a shoulder injury that has kept him out of the past two games. Darnold believes he’s near the point where the shoulder can withstand a hit, but the Jets might continue to err on the side of caution and start backup Joe Flacco again. Flacco has completed just 55.2 percent of his passes, averaging 172.8 yards per game with six touchdowns and three interceptions, including a pick-six vs. the Chargers. The Dolphins held Flacco and the Jets scoreless in Week 6, but he has thrown five touchdowns in the two games since. Still, Miami’s has the edge defensively. Edge: Dolphins

Special teams: Dolphins kicker Jason Sanders converted kicks of 43 and 51 yards in Denver, after his first missed his first field goal of the season against the Chargers two weeks ago. The Dolphins have relied heavily on Sanders, returner Jakeem Grant (1 punt return TD) and punter Matt Haack (18 kicks placed inside the opponents’ 20) to perform well during their recent run of five straight wins. The Jets placed kicker Sam Ficken, who had been having a solid second season, on injured reserve on Tuesday. Sergio Castillo will replace Ficken. He’s 6 for 7 on field goals — with the only miss a block — and made all four of his extra point tries this season. Jets punter Braden Mann leads the NFL with 50 punts. The Jets also rely on former UM standout Braxton Berrios to return kicks (20.1 yards per return) and punts (9 yards per return with 13 fair catches) this season. Edge: Dolphins

Intangibles: Flores hopes his team can rebound from a disappointing road loss at Denver, which ended Miami’s five-game winning streak. The Dolphins lost their first game since Oct. 4, and they’ll face a Jets team that, despite their winless 0-10 record, has played well in recent games against the Patriots and Chargers. The Dolphins cannot afford to lose any more ground to the Bills (7-3) in the AFC East race or to other AFC teams in the playoff picture, and they especially cannot afford to lose to a winless team. Look for Miami to get the season sweep over its division rival on Sunday. Edge: Dolphins

Prediction: Dolphins 27, Jets 17

ELSA/GETTY Jets coach Adam Gase is still looking for his first victory this season, although his team has played better in close losses to the Patriots and Chargers over the past two weeks.