Miami Dolphins at New York Jets. It doesn't get any better. The Dolphins need a win to climb out of the winless hole they are in. The Jets need a win to climb back to .500 and maybe quiet the craziness of the fans and media, at least for a little while.
The advantage in preparation for this week has to go to Miami, who are coming off the bye week, heading in to Monday Night. The Dolphins are 13-9 following the bye week all time.
The Dolphins have won 4 of the last 5 against the Jets, and the last three meetings in New York. However, the Jets are 4-0 all time against the Dolphins on Monday Night Football in New York.
Plus, there's Jason Taylor. A year ago, Dolphins fans were feeling betrayed by Taylor, who was heading north to play with the hated Jets. Now, this season, he's back home in Miami, and expects the Jets fans to return to their normal hatred of him. "I'm sure I'll be booed," Taylor said. "I was booed for a lot of years in that stadium or in that town."
Chad Henne, I think, has the advantage over Mark Sanchez. But, we aren't going to see Henne in this game. Instead, it will be former Carolina Panthers quarterback Matt Moore making his first start for the Dolphins. I have to give the advantage to the starting quarterback over the backup. Push With the trade of Derrick Mason, this becomes an easy Miami win. Even if Mason were with the Jets, I would still have to go Miami. Plaxico Burress, Santonio Holmes, Jeremy Kerley, and Patrick Turner don't match up to Brandon Marshall, Brian Hartline, Davone Bess, and Clyde Gates. Now, if only Moore can get the receivers the ball. OL The Jets can't seem to get their ground and pound offense started, and the Dolphins can't seem to block, period. I'm going with push. Is this even a contest? Vontae Davis and Sean Smith should be able to compete with Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie. They just don't. Davis should be back this week, and maybe the secondary will solidify with him back in coverage, Smith not feeling like he has to make a difference with Davis out, Will Allen in the nickle role, and Yeremiah Bell and Reshad Jones at safety, maybe they will start to get to what they should be. Chris Clemons is still missed, though. And, until they show us something, they can't be ranked up there with the Jets. Dolphins for Brandon Fields. Quite simple.
Pos
Adv
Reason
QB
RB
Shonn Greene, LaDainian Tomlinson, Joe McNight, Bilal Powell vs. Reggie Bush, Daniel Thomas, Steve Slayton, Lex Hilliard. If this were the old LT, it would go Jets. Assuming Thomas is on the field and playing like he did in the two games he has appeared in this year, the Jets defense should allow for a good Dolphins offensive production. I'll call it a push, but leaning slightly towards the Dolphins
WR/TE
Push
DL
Muhammad Wilkerson, Sione Pouha, Mike DeVito or Randy Starks, Paul Soliai, Kendall Langford. 2010 - Miami. 2011 - New York.
LB
I want to give this to Miami. I really do. Cameron Wake, Karlos Dansby, Kevin Burnett, and Koa Misi should be able to outplay Jamaal Westerman, Bart Scott, David Harris, and Calvin Pace. Add in pass rush specialist Jason Taylor, and the Dolphins should have the advantage clearly. But, the way this defense has been playing, I've got to give it to the Jets.
DB
ST
Prediction: Have to go with the Dolphins. They have won the last three Jets games in New York. Have to believe, coming off the bye week, that continues. Miami 27-17.
Record Predicting Dolphins Games: 1-3
Record Predicting All NFL Games: 46-31