DOLPHINS GAMEDAY

KEYS TO THE GAME

Dolphins’ offense

It’s time to stop being disappointing and outscore an opponent in an important game. This offense ranks

10th in scoring at 24.1 points per game. There’s only one other season in the previous 10 that point total would have ranked in the top 10 (2017). The offense has been stuck in the mud since the bye week.

Even when it scored 30 points against Houston in a 30-15 victory, the offense only had two touchdowns (cornerback Xavien Howard had a touchdown on a fumble return) and didn’t score the entire second half. The offense has averaged just 20.8 points per game during this five-game losing streak. Coach Mike McDaniel, whose calling card is offense, must find a way to counter what defenses are doing.

Dolphins’ QB performance Whether the starter is

Teddy Bridgewater or Skylar Thompson, they shouldn’t have to win the game for the Dolphins. They only need to give Miami a chance to win in the fourth quarter. In fact, in three of the four games starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa missed time due to an injury (Cincinnati, New York Jets, Minnesota, New England) the reserve quarterbacks gave the Dolphins a chance to win. The only game they didn’t have a chance to win in the fourth quarter? The 40-17 loss to the Jets. Whether Bridgewater or Thompson starts, the game should be won by players or units other than quarterback.

Coach Mike McDaniel

The pressure is on McDaniel, the rookie head coach. His team is contending for the worst collapse in franchise history, possibly surpassing the 1993 meltdown of going from 9-2 to 9-7 and missing the playoffs.

McDaniel must now find a way to claw out one more victory and hope New England loses at Buffalo to get the Dolphins into the playoffs. It won’t be easy. The Dolphins are battling injury concerns as well as a damaged psyche. Let’s see if McDaniel can work some magic.

Dolphins’ defense and special teams

A victory on Sunday will require good performances from the defense and special teams, and that’s not guaranteed. The defense, which has been up and down this season, has played well at home, allowing an average of 16 points per game. They’ll likely need to be around that average against the Jets (the offense averages 23.1 ppg at home).

As for special teams, kicker Jason Sanders must be able to hit a 50-yard field goal because, let’s face it, that could be a requirement for victory. Sanders is 1 for 5 on field goal attempts of 50 or more yards this season.

Dolphins’ best players

The Dolphins’ star players — wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, edge rusher Bradley Chubb, offensive tackle Terron Armstead, Howard, etc — need to find a way to either deliver this victory themselves or rally their teammates to deliver a win. This is a player’s league and players bear most of the responsibility for what happens to a team. So, the Dolphins’ top players must come through.

We can talk all we want about turnover margin (Dolphins are minus-7, tied for third-worst in the league), point differential (minus-7), and being without your starting quarterback. Bottom line: the Dolphins’ best players must deliver a victory despite their individual injury situations.

PREDICTIONS

Dave Hyde, Sports Columnist (Season record: 11-5): Dolphins 17, Jets 13 How the Dolphins score 17 points with a rookie quarterback against one of the league’s top defenses will remain to be seen. But this team has too much talent for this season to swirl completely down the drain.

Chris Perkins, Dolphins Columnist (8-8): Dolphins 17, Jets 14

I’m done predicting good things for the offense. It won’t deliver. I’ll take the Dolphins in a slim victory in the finale, but I’m not sure they’ll make the playoffs. There will be lots of scoreboard watching of the New England-Buffalo game.

David Furones, Dolphins Writer (11-5): Dolphins 24, Jets 20

As tough as it is to envision right now after five straight losses, I’ll say the Dolphins handle their business and put it in the Bills’ hands against the Patriots to determine whether Miami makes the postseason. I just can’t see this team going all-out with the collapse and losing its last six, and home against the Jets should be the easiest game out of the whole final stretch. If the Dolphins end up swept by these Jets, which have also lost five straight, then they don’t deserve to be a playoff team anyway, even if they’re going with a backup quarterback for another week.

Kathy Laughlin, Sports Editor (11-5): Dolphins 13, Jets 10

Take your pick: Battle of the losing streaks? Battle of the strong defenses? Battle of the backup quarterbacks? The Dolphins are banged up, and getting a victory here is going to take all they’ve got. With their backs against the playoff wall in warm South Florida against the not-great Jets, I think the Dolphins get it done.

Keven Lerner, Assistant Sports Editor (10-6): Dolphins 17, Jets 13

The Jets have lost five consecutive games and will miss the playoffs for the

12th straight season — the longest active playoff drought in the NFL. The Dolphins also have lost five straight games, but should have no problem beating their longtime rival with their season on the line — and at the friendly confines of Hard Rock Stadium.

Steve Svekis, Assistant Sports Editor (Season record: 10-6): Dolphins 5, Jets 3

Miami’s defense will have a dominant game, and the Dolphins will escape for their third straight winning season. The Jets have their own stout defense, so I don’t expect much scoring.