Jets (7-9) at Dolphins (8-8)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Fla. TV: Fox
Tipico Sportsbook line: Even Jets’ keys to victory: Offensively, the Jets, led by QB Mike White, will need to attack the Dolphins’ injury-riddled secondary. Getting the ball into the hands of WRs Garrett Wilson, Elijah Moore and Corey Davis should be beneficial against Josh Boyer’s unit that has been relying on undrafted rookies and special teams contributors. New York’s defense has been impressive this season, and it has the ability to make Miami’s quarterback uncomfortable. The Jets need to generate pressure against a Miami offensive line that’s been hampered by injuries and stop the Dolphins from completing easy passes over the middle.
Dolphins’ keys to victory:
Miami has lost five games in a row, and the list of reasons why is long. To stop the recent skid and potentially make the postseason, the Dolphins will have to limit turnovers. Whether it’s been Tua Tagovailoa, Teddy Bridgewater or Skylar Thompson under center, Miami is committing far more turnovers than it’s forcing. On top of that, the Dolphins will need to get WRs Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle more involved.
Matchup to watch: Dolphins’ Hill vs. New York Jets CB Sauce Gardner. Gardner may not have the speed to keep up with Hill on every play, but he may have learned from watching his peers that this group of wideouts can be thrown off their game if they’re bumped early.
Who wins? Even if Tagovailoa clears the concussion protocol and plays (it doesn’t seem likely), Miami still hasn’t shown much of anything in the last few weeks.
Jets, 24-20
Mike Masala, Dolphins Wire