The Jets' off-Broadway opening night was a smashing success. Now they're taking their show to the Great Green & White Way, or at least nearer to Broadway than Detroit. What's in store for Sam Darnold and the Jets in their 2018 home debut against the Miami Dolphins at sunny MetLife Stadium on Sunday?
The players are certainly confident this week. But if it's up to Jets head coach Todd Bowles, the 48-17 win over the Lions will not swell any heads.
"It was only the first game," Bowles said. "They enjoyed the flight home. After that we're on to Miami. They're all short-lived, win, lose or draw."
The coach has a similar cautionary take when asked if the team has discovered its next "franchise quarterback."
"We won one game," he said. "I can tell you after about 100 more of them whether we have one or not. Right now it's a little early."
This is the second of the Jets' three-games-in-11-days start. That might be a disadvantage in some matchups. But since the Dolphins are coming off the longest game in NFL history — it took 7 hours, 8 minutes due to two lightning delays before they secured their 27-20 win over the Titans last Sunday — that should put the long-time AFC East foes on an equal footing as they battle for at least a piece of first place.
Here are seven more points of interest for Sunday's Jets-Fins-fest in the Meadowlands (1 p.m. ET kickoff):
1. Sam in the Clutch
What can Darnold do for an encore in his home debut before Jets Nation? One thing is to continue his "crunch"-down passing success. On third and fourth downs at Detroit, Darnold was 6-for-6 for 95 yards, six first downs and the long-ball TD to Robby Anderson. Small sample size, yes, but that still calculates to a perfect 158.3 passer rating. The last Jets QB to do that in a win: Chad Pennington vs. Seattle in 2004. Also, Sam could get back a key third-down target in WR Jermaine Kearse (abdomen), who was close to being activated for the Lions. Kearse led the Jets last season with 37 first-down receptions and 13 third-down conversion catches.
2. Sam in the Kitchen
Darnold can only do what he does if he's protected. In the opener the rookie got sacked twice in the first quarter, then wasn't hit the rest of the way. This week it's a different challenge for the Jets' O-line as the Dolphins will launch Cameron Wake (10th year with Miami, 92 career sacks) off one edge and Robert Quinn (8th year, first as a Dolphin, 62.5 sacks) off the other. Bowles' take: "When they've got four down rushers, those two will seem like they're rushing six. They pose a big problem." Wake has recently gotten woke regarding Green & White QBs, with 6.5 of his 10.5 sacks vs. the Jets coming in the past two seasons. Sam, beware.
3. Tannehill's Return
Miami QB Ryan Tannehill was impressed with the Jets from watching the MNF game live and again on the All-22 view. "The defense played really fast. That jumped out at me on tape," he said. "It's definitely something we respect and have to be prepared for." Tannehill similarly has the Jets' attention. Despite missing all last year with a torn ACL, Ryan no doubt remembers his way around the Meadowlands. He's 4-5 for his career vs. the Jets, but at MetLife he's 3-1 with an 84.7 passer rating. Then there's his scramble/bootleg/zone-read dimension. DC Kacy Rodgers: "He poses a lot of threats."
4. Running Men
Darnold didn't need to be told about rushing to greatness in the pros. "Whenever the run game is going, it's a lot easier to pass the football, that's how I look at it," Darnold said after Isaiah Crowell and Bilal Powell teamed Monday as envisioned to lead the Jets' 169-yard running game, third-best in the NFL. It'll be an interesting test between Crowell and Frank Gore, the venerable back who's joined Kenyan Drake as the Dolphins' own 1-2 punch. Cro, at 10.2 yards/carry in Game 1, and Gore, at 6.8, are two of the three RBs in the league who have played in all 49 regular-season games since 2015, and both have full tanks of gas in '18.
5. Defensive Numbers
What might've caught the eye of Tannehill, HC Adam Gase and the Dolphins offense? The Green & White had those five picks at Detroit — three by New Jack City (Mo Claiborne, Trumaine Johnson and Jamal Adams), two by LB Darron Lee. Lee's INT-return score ended the Jets' NFL-record defensive TD drought at 73 games, the five picks were their most since 1999 at Denver, and their plus-3 TO margin is tied for second in the NFL, the first time they've been in the top 10 since 2015. Also, after their preseason red zone defensive No. 1 ranking, the Jets are tied for first at 0.0% heading into Week 2. And Miami was 1-for-5 in RZ offense vs. Tennessee.
Top Photos of the AFC Division Rivals
New York Jets' Bernie Parmalee (34), scores the first of two touchdowns in the fourth quarter against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Nov. 19. 2000, at the Pro Player Stadium, in Miami. (AP Photo/ Bill Harrington)
New York Jets quarterback Chad Pennington drops back for a pass in the first quarter of the Jets' 17-7 victory over the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Sept. 18, 2005, at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Pennington completed 19 of 30 pass attempts for 190 yards with two touchdowns in the game. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
New York Jets running back Thomas Jones, center, runs between Miami Dolphins linebacker Donnie Spragan, left, and safety Renaldo Hill, right, as he picks up 11 yards during fourth quarter NFL football Sunday, Sept. 23, 2007, at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Jones rushed for 110 yards as the Jets beat the Dolphins, 31-28. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Jets Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Namath (12) drops back to pass as fullback Mark Smolinski (30) sets up to block during an AFL game against the Miami Dolphins at Shea Stadium in New York, Dec. 15, 1975. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)
New York Jets defensive end Mark Gastineau finally gets a sack in the fourth quarter as he pulls down Miami Dolphins quarterback Kyle Mackey for a fourteen-yard loss in East Rutherford, N.J., Oct. 18, 1987. This sack at Giants Stadium was Gastineau's first since 1985. (AP Photo/Peter Morgan)
New York Jets defensive lineman Mark Gastineau (99) and Joe Klecko, rihgt, sack the Miami Dolphins quarterback David Woodley in the second half of their 16-15 win over Miami at New York's Shea Stadium, Nov. 23, 1981. Among the league leaders in sacks, Klecko has 16 and Gastineau 15 1/2. (AP Photo/Harry Harris)
Punter Louie Aguilar (4), of the New York Jets, holds for kicker Raul Allegre as he kicks the winning field goal in overtime to defeat the Miami Dolphins 23-20 at Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami, Fla., Dec. 22, 1991. The Jet's victory allowed them to capture the final NFL wildcard playoff slot. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
New York Jets running back Leon Washington (29) carries the ball through the line during the second half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, Sept. 23, 2007. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Namath of the New York Jets fires downfield during a 17-14 win over the Miami Dolphins on November 24, 1974 at Shea Stadium in New York, New York. Joe Namath - New York Jets - File Photos (AP Photo/NFL Photos)
New York Jets running back Curtis Martin (28) makes a move around Miami Dolphins safety Shawn Wooden (22) during the fourth quarter Sunday, Dec. 12, 1999, at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Martin rushed for 75 yards leading the Jets to a 28-20 win over the Dolphins. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Jets kicker Jim Turner (11) kicks a field goal from the hold of quarterback Babe Parilli (15) as Miami Dolphins cornerback Dick Westmoreland (25) closes in during an AFL game in New York, Nov. 2, 1969. The Jets defeated the Dolphins 34-31. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)
Kicker Raul Allegre of the New York Jets, center of group, is mobbed by his teammates after his winning field goal in overtime against the Miami Dolphins, in Miami, Fla., Dec. 22, 1991. The win gives the Jets a wildcard berth in the upcoming playoffs. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
New York Jets wide receiver Wayne Chrebet outruns Miami Dolphins cornerback Calvin Jackson (38) and safety Shawn Wooden (22) on a 70-yard pass play during the first quarter Sunday, Oct. 12, 1997 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.(AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Jets Ronnie Lott (42), right, and Jeff Lageman (56) bring down Miami Dolphins Mark Higgs (21), center, during first half action at Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami , Sept. 12, 1993. (AP Photo/Hans Deryk)
New York Jets running back Curtis Martin heads down the sideline for a 25-yard touchdown run against the Miami Dolphins during the third quarter Monday, Nov. 1, 2004 in East Rutherford, N.J.. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
New York Jets tight end Chris Baker, left, scores a touchdown on a 1-yard catch against Miami Dolphins' Morlon Greenwood, center, and Derrick Pope during the third quarter Monday, Nov. 1, 2004 in East Rutherford, N.J.. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
New York Jets' Laveranues Coles celebrates his fourth quarter touchdown as Miami Dolphins' Travares Tilllman lies on the ground in the Jets 20-17 football victory at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Sunday, Oct. 15, 2006.(AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Miami Dolphins Dan Marino, left, fumbles the ball as he is sacked by New York Jets Mark Gastineau during the second quarter of NFL game, Nov. 4, 1984 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Miami Dolphins running back Ronnie Brown (23) runs towards a touchdown during the first quarter against the New York Jets during an NFL football game in Miami, Monday, Oct. 12, 2009. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
New York Jets quarterback Brett Favre prepares to pass during the second quarter of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008 at Dolphin Stadium in Miami. At right is Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter. (AP Photo/Jeffrey M. Boan)
New York Jets linebacker Victor Hobson, center, recovers a ball fumbled by Miami Dolphins running back Sammy Morris, lower right, in the third quarter of the Jets' 20-17 victory over the Dolphins at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.,, Sunday, Oct. 15, 2006.(AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
New York Jets Art Monk, left, tries to keep Troy Vincent (23) of the Miami Dolphins at arms length after taking a Boomer Esiason pass for a 19-yard gain in the first quarters on Nov. 27, 1994 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (AP Photo/Ron Frehm)
New York Jets' Laveranues Coles, foreground, catches a pass in the end zone over Miami Dolphins' Travis Daniels, left, for the Jets first touchdown during the first quarter of the NFL football game at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, Sept. 23, 2007. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Jets fullback Jerald Sowell, right, crosses the goal line for a touchdown as Miami Dolphins safety Tebucky Jones (24) gives chase during the fourth quarter Sunday, Sept. 18, 2005 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Jets' Jason Fabini (69) and Kevin Mawae (68), left, signal the score as the Jets beat the Dolphins, 17-7. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Jets quarterback Boomer Esiason, left, if pressured by Miami Dolphins linebacker Bryan Cox in the second quarter at Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami, Sept. 18, 1994. Esiason threw an incomplete pass on the play. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Miami Dolphins' Jeno James (78) and Leonard Henry, center, are taken down by New York Jets', clockwise from bottom left, Shaun Ellis, Dewayne Robertson and Bryan Thomas In the second quarter of their game Sunday, Oct. 3, 2004, in Miami. (AP Photo/Hillery Smith Shay)
New York Jets' Curtis Martin kneels in the endzone after scoring a touchdown in the first quarter of their game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2004 in Miami. (AP Photo/J. Pat Carter)
New York Jets linebacker Marvin Jones (55) intercepts the ball in the end zone during the fourth quarter against the Miami Dolphins Sunday, Oct. 14, 2001, at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Jets cornerback Marcus Coleman (42) and James Farrior (58) look on. The Jets beat the Dolphins 21-17. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Jets quarterback Chad Pennington, right, drops back to pass as offensive tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson (60) blocks against Miami Dolphins defensive end Jason Taylor during the first quarter of an NFL football game Monday, Dec. 25, 2006, in Miami. (AP Photo/J. Pat Carter)
New York Jets wide receiver Laveranues Coles, right, catches a pass for a 42-yard gain as Miami Dolphins safety Brock Marion (31) looks on during the fourth quarter Sunday night, Nov. 10, 2002, at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Coles caught five passes for 80 yards as the Jets beat the Dolphins 13-10. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Jets' Aaron Glenn (31) returns an interception as Miami Dolphins James Mcknight (80) and Jets teammate Shaun Ellis (92) give chase in the first half Sunday Nov. 18, 2001 at Pro Player Stadium in Miami. Glenn returned the Jay Fiedler interception for a touchdown. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz)
New York Jets' Aaron Glenn (31) keeps his eyes on the ball and is able to make the interception as Miami Dolphins James McKnight (80) is defended by Victor Green (21) and is unable to bring in the pass from quarterback Jay Fiedler in the first half Sunday Nov. 18, 2001 at Pro Player Stadium in Miami. Glenn returned the interception 60 yards for a Jets touchdown. (AP Photo/Rick Silva)
New York Jets wide receiver Wayne Chrebet catches a pass and runs for a touchdown during the first quarter as Miami Dolphins Antuan Edwards chases after him Monday night, Nov. 1, 2004 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Jets quarterback Ken O'Brien throws a second quarter pass under pressure from the Miami Dolphins T.J. Turner Sept. 21, 1986 at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J. O'Brien threw for over 400 yards, and was 29 for 43, after the Jets 51-45 win. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Jets wide receiver Wayne Chrebet, right, scores a touchdown as Miami Dolphins safety Brock Marion (31) defends during the second quarter Monday, Oct. 23, 2000, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John T. Greilick)
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6. Myers' KO Mastery
Jets K Jason Myers says he likes kicking at MetLife, but he can't like it more than Ford Field, where he kicked off nine times Monday and nailed nine touchbacks. That obliterated the Jets' franchise record of six TBs in a game, shared by Bobby Howfield ('72 @ NE), Nick Folk ('12 vs. BUF) and Chandler Catanzaro ('17 vs. BUF). Myers' long-range mastery will be valuable against the Dolphins — the 'Fins lead the NFL in kickoff-return average after Jakeem Grant took one to the house last week, and while Drake hasn't done much returning the last two seasons, he did have the last KO-return TD against the Jets, that crushing 96-yarder at Miami in '16.
7. Tightly Fought Rivalry
Everything about these long-time rivals seems to be even-steven. The last 16 games of the series are tied, 8-8. The last 14 in the North Jersey: 7-7. Bowles (2-1 as the Dolphins' interim HC in '11), Rodgers (Miami's six-year DL coach) and GM Mike Maccagnan since coming to the Jets are 3-3 vs. the 'Fins. That's also the record of Mike Tannenbaum as Dolphins executive VP of football operations against his old team. As Jets GM, Tannenbaum brought Mark Sanchez to the Green & White in 2009. Nothing personal, but the Jets and their new first-round Southern Cal quarterback would love to send Mike T back to South Florida at 3-4.
