The New York Jets (3-9) will host the Miami Dolphins (5-7) at MetLife Stadium on Sunday. Let's take a deeper look at what to expect from their Week 14 opponent.
'We Owe Those Guys'
The Jets and Dolphins will go head-to-head for the second time this season. Miami defeated the Green & White in Week 4, 27-21, and have posted a 4-4 record since their 1-3 start, including 3 straight victories.
That Monday night in Miami, the Dolphins jumped out to a 17-3 lead and held on to the victory despite a fourth quarter rally by the Jets led by QB Justin Fields. QB Tyrod Taylor will make his third consecutive for New York and his first against Miami since 2021.
"Listen, we owe those guys," HC Aaron Glenn said Monday. "We lost one down there [in Miami] with those guys, so we look forward to those guys coming to our place, getting a chance to play them."
See Jets players in the Gotham City Football Rivalries uniform that will be worn Sunday against the Miami Dolphins at MetLife Stadium in Week 14.
Miami's 'More Physical' Brand
The key to the recent turnaround for HC Mike McDaniels & Co. has been the emergence of their run offense and run defense. Since Week 8, Miami ranks in the top 5 in rush yards (145.6) and rush yards allowed (90.7) per game. Miami RB De'Von Achane has led the surge in production.
The third-year tailback is third in the NFL in rushing yards (1,034) and is tied for the league lead in rushes of 20-plus yards (10). He also ranks sixth in scrimmage yards (1,404) and seventh in total touchdowns (10). And as team, Miami has averaged a league-leading 176.7 rushing yards per game since the start of its winning streak in Week 10.
"In the last month, I've seen a more physical brand of football that we haven't seen since I've been here," McDaniel said. "That's resulted in more opportunities and more yards on the ground."
On defense, the Saints, who Miami defeated in Week 13, 21-17, ran for 81 yards on 27 carries -- an average of 3.0 yards per carry.
On defense, the improvements have been led by Pro Bowl pass rusher Bradley Chubb and Tyrel Dodson, who are tops on the team with 6 and 4 sacks, respectively. And additionally, LB Jordyn Brooks has a team-best 9 tackles for loss and league-best 137 tackles.
Offensive Inconsistencies
As improved as Miami's offense has been since overcoming its their slow start, inconsistent play from QB Tua Tagovailoa has kept Miami from surging into the thick of the playoff race.
The Dolphins are 11th in the AFC, 3 games back of the Buffalo Bills for the final wild card and last week were eliminated from the race in the AFC East. Tagovailoa has 17 touchdown passes and a league-leading 14 interceptions.
All-Pro WR Tyreek Hill sustained a season-ending knee injury in the Jets-Dolphins first matchup and WR Jaylen Waddle has taken a bigger role in the offense since, leading the team with 767 receiving yards.
In the end, however, Miami's has been at its best during its their recent win-streak went it takes the ball out of Tagovailoa's hands. In their last 5 games, of which Miami has won 4, he has attempted 25 or more pass attempts in a game once, a 28-6 loss to Baltimore.
In their first matchup, the Jets played right into Miami's hands. Tagovailoa only attempted 25 passes, and the Dolphins rushed for 123 yards, including 99 yards and score from De'Von Achane. The Jets will look to reverse their fortunes in Week 14 and even the season-series.
