A preview of the NFL Week 14 matchup between the Jets and Dolphins at MetLife Stadium:
Key Clash
Dolphins RB Devon Achan vs. Jets LBs Jamian Sherwood and Quincy Williams
The Dolphins’ offensive approach seems quite different from what the Jets have faced in past seasons.
After star receiver Tyreek Hill went down with a season-ending injury in their first game this September, the Dolphins have shifted their focus towards running the ball, and it’s paying off.
Achan has consistently rushed for over 100 yards throughout the Dolphins’ three-game winning streak.
“I think, conceptually, they’re still aiming for the same goals, but especially in the run game, ensuring Achan has good ball security is crucial,” Glenn noted. “I believe that’s contributing to our progress. Once he’s on the edge, he’s tough to contain. Last week, he made several big plays. We need to avoid letting him break free.”
Before last week’s game against Bijan Robinson and the Falcons, the Jets’ defense had been performing decently against the run.
Notably, Robinson rushed for 142 yards against them, a game where the Jets struggled to respond. Sherwood and Williams have had a mix of good and bad performances this season.
If the Jets can’t contain Achan quickly, it’s likely to be a challenging day for them.
Four Things to Consider
Can the Jets defense finally snag an interception this week?
They are currently on a record-setting streak of 12 games without one. The fewest interceptions recorded in a season stands at three, and the Jets appear to be targeting that mark.
On the other side, there’s Tua Tagovailoa, who is tied for the league lead with 14 interceptions. He’s also fourth on the all-time list since 2020 with 58 interceptions.
Clearly, the Jets have a shot to break their dry spell this game.
“We’re focusing on it,” defensive coordinator Steve Wilkes said. “Winning is ultimately what matters most, but our defense needs to create opportunities for our offense, and those interceptions can help.”
On Tyrod Taylor: In last week’s victory over the Falcons, he demonstrated he can still be a dual-threat quarterback.
The 36-year-old rushed for 44 yards, scoring the game-winning touchdown on eight carries. Anyone who thought Justin Fields was the only mobile quarterback the Jets had should reconsider.
His mobility definitely caught the eyes of his teammates.
“Yeah, I heard the cheers when I came off the field,” Taylor mentioned. “I told them, ‘Just keep it cool, don’t go overboard.’”
Brandon Stevens’ Performance: When the cornerback signed a three-year, $36 million deal, some were skeptical due to his previous season with the Ravens being lackluster.
However, he’s proved his worth, consistently allowing 40 yards or less in ten games as an outside corner, ranking third in the NFL.
With Sauce Gardner no longer on the team, Stevens has stepped up as the primary cornerback and is increasingly tasked with guarding the opposition’s top receivers.
Playoff Aspirations: While the Jets’ playoff chances have diminished significantly, a loss on Sunday might seal their fate.
They could also be eliminated if the Bills and Texans win, or if the Bills and Jaguars come out on top.
This marks the 15th consecutive year that the Jets have missed the playoffs, setting a record in North American sports for the longest ongoing drought.
This positions them tied for the 10th-longest playoff drought in NFL history.
The all-time record belongs to the Cardinals and Washington, both with 25 seasons, while the longest stretch in the Super Bowl era belongs to the Saints with 20 seasons.
Costello’s Prediction
The Jets have shown improvement over the last five weeks and enjoy a home-field advantage with cold weather conditions this Sunday.
Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins struggle in the cold, losing their last seven games when kickoff temperatures dipped below 45 degrees.
Let’s aim for number eight.
Jets 28, Dolphins 24
