The Jets have made it through their tour of the AFC North at 2-2. Now, they jump into their own division for the first time this season as the Miami Dolphins come to town. Can the Jets spring the upset?
The matchup to watch is obviously Jets CBs Sauce Gardner and D.J. Reed vs. Dolphins WRs Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Gardner and Reed have quickly become one of the better cornerback duos in the NFL but have yet to face a wide receiver duo as talented as the one in Miami. It will be very fun to watch how defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich handles the two wide receivers and how they want to deploy coverage against them.
On the flip side, the Dolphins are dealing with injuries in their secondary as well. Byron Jones remains on the PUP list and Xavien Howard is questionable with a groin injury. One of Miami’s top reserve defensive backs, Keion Crossen, is also questionable with glute and shoulder injuries.
Can the Jets take advantage of potentially a limited Terron Armstead? He is questionable with a toe injury. The pass rush finally came to life last week against the Steelers. That momentum has to carry over and the Jets have to rattle Teddy Bridgewater the way they did Mitch Trubisky and Kenny Pickett.
Miami, of course, has had three extra days of rest and preparation, coming off the Thursday night loss in Week 4 to the Bengals.
The Jets getting Duane Brown back certainly helps solidify the offensive line and likely send Alijah Vera-Tucker to right tackle, which would mark his third position this season. He played well at left tackle last week against the Steelers. We’ll see if the second position swap affects AVT in any way, but he is good enough to handle the constant switching.
Overall, the Jets simply have to play a consistent game, something they have not done at all this season. Miami is well-coached with Mike McDaniel and can bring pressure, especially from up the middle with Christian Wilkins and Raekwon Davis. The edge goes to the Dolphins here in the grand scheme of things.
Prediction: Dolphins 24, Jets 17