The New York Jets fly down south to take on the AFC East rival Miami Dolphins in Week 6. Jet X provides you the info you need to know.
Five games, five losses. While it’s never as simple as that for any winless football team, it’s as solid a quick description as the New York Jets deserve.
Now, it’s Week 6, which means the Los Angeles Chargers. Scratch that; it’s actually the Miami Dolphins down south thanks to a change in the schedule via COVID-19-related issues.
Adam Gase’s Jets look for their first win of the season in the city he used to call home.
Where, When, All-Time
- New York Jets (0-5)
- Miami Dolphins (2-3)
- NFL, Week 6, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, 4:05 p.m. ET, CBS
- Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL
The Jets currently hold a narrow 55-53-1 all-time series lead over their most-hated divisional rival. New York took the last contest, 22-21, at MetLife Stadium in early December of last year, on the strength of a Sam Ficken game-winning field goal. Previously, the Dolphins reeled off four-straight victories.
On a mission in Miami.#TakeFlight | @JetBlue pic.twitter.com/IxjDEwCCMI
— New York Jets (@nyjets) October 16, 2020
The Jets will be wearing their road whites paired with green pants.
Week 6 threads brought to you by @Neville_Hewitt.#NYJvsMIA | #TakeFlight pic.twitter.com/5wQIzmkyI5
— New York Jets (@nyjets) October 16, 2020
Odds (Sportsbook)
- Money line: Dolphins -400 | Jets +320
- Spread: Dolphins -9 (-110) | Jets +9 (-110)
- Over/Under: 47 (O: -110, U: -110)
Another week brings another impossible chance to bet on the Jets. While the nine-point spread is pretty substantial against a 2-3 team, there’s no way a sane bettor can choose the Jets.
Losing 30-10 last Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals just added one more reason to never bet with the Jets until they prove they’re worthy.
Injury Report
On Wednesday, Gase announced that Darnold would miss his second-straight game, giving way for Joe Flacco to start his second as a Jet. The big question mark comes in the form of the biggest man, Mekhi Becton.
The Jets first-round selection is officially listed as doubtful for the contest, but he did practice on a limited basis Friday. There are some positive vibes surrounding the kid’s chances, but as of now, his status for the game doesn’t look good.
Breshad Perriman is listed as questionable, but it appears as though he will return after missing the last three-and-a-half games with an ankle injury. All week, Perriman’s status continued to trend in the right direction.
Alex Lewis should also play after practicing on a limited basis.
For Miami, Shaq Lawson, Durham Smythe and Kyle Van Noy are listed as questionable.
Keys to the Game
Force Fitzpatrick deep
Miami’s 104.2 rushing yards per game is just 0.8 yards more than the Jets on the season. Struggling to rush the ball at times, it’s obvious that this team isn’t the 1980s Washington Redskins.
Gregg Williams needs to ensure the Dolphins don’t find any success rushing the ball and press Fitzpatrick’s weapons out wide. Force the wily veteran to beat the defense over the top early.
Allow Flacco to operate the line of scrimmage
Defensively, Brian Flores’s group is middle of the pack against both the run and the pass. Gase needs to simply allow Flacco room to operate at the line.
Again, it’s not so much what the defense is doing. For struggling teams, it’s almost always about the issues in-house first. Giving Flacco that freedom could help spring the offense early.
If Becton plays, pounding the rock could also be a major springboard forward.
Prediction
- New York Jets 23, Miami Dolphins 26
The final score would mean the Jets, +9, would win the bet as a road dog. You just won’t catch me officially picking them.
Becton’s presence will make a world of difference for the Jets. In the end, Ryan Fitzpatrick should have a nice day against a struggling Gregg Williams defense.
