All that’s left for the Jets is the spoiler role
MIAMI, FL—First, the NFL world stopped, and appropriately so, as overwhelming concern for Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin owned the unwanted spotlight. Then, once encouraging progress appeared to be made from a Cincinnati hospital, the NFL world went abuzz with playoff scenarios as crazy as anything anybody’s ever conjured up in their mind.
For a brief and fleeting moment, it allowed the New York Jets fan to dream. For what feels like an instant, the fan who roots for the team with the longest NFL playoff drought (2010 regular season) thought they would have the ability to play for an unprecedented AFC eighth seed in the tournament.
It was not to be. In the end, the powers that be made other arrangements to cater to AFC seeding fairness as it relates to the Bills, Cincinnati Bengals, Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens—without adding an extra team to the mix.
So, the Jets, a young football squad that started 5-2 and featured a 7-4 record just four games later, will bring a 7-9 record into the final week of the 2022 NFL season with no postseason hopes on the line.
The only thing left is the spoiler role. Perhaps Robert Saleh and Mike LaFleur could stick it to friend Mike McDaniel, whose Miami Dolphins seek a tournament bid without Tua Tagovailoa at the helm.
| Place | Logo | Team | Wins | Losses | Ties | Pct. | Division | PF | PA | Home | Away | Srk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | Buffalo Bills | 13 | 3 | 0 | .813 | 4-2 | 455 | 286 | 7-1 | 6-2 | W7 |
| 2 |  | Miami Dolphins | 9 | 8 | 0 | .529 | 3-3 | 397 | 399 | 6-2 | 3-6 | W1 |
| 3 |  | New England Patriots | 8 | 9 | 0 | .471 | 3-3 | 364 | 347 | 4-4 | 4-5 | L1 |
| 4 |  | New York Jets | 7 | 10 | 0 | .412 | 2-4 | 296 | 316 | 3-5 | 4-5 | L6 |
Jets at Dolphins game info
- New York Jets (7-9)
- Miami Dolphins (8-8)
- NFL, Week 18, Jan. 8, 2023, 1:00 p.m. ET
- Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, FL
The Jets are set to kick off against the 8-8 Dolphins team that needs to win and receive some help to sneak into the AFC side of the pro football tournament.
The game will be played at Hard Rock Stadium with a kickoff time slated for 1:00 p.m. ET, televised on CBS.
Jets at Dolphins history
- The Dolphins lead the all-time series 57-56-1
Although the New England Patriots and Buffalo Bills have enjoyed their moments as bitter rivals—particularly the former with Bill Belichick moving north in 2000—the Miami Dolphins remain the New York Jets’ undisputed top rival.
These two AFC East squads have been battling for decades, with long stretches of success and failure for each. Better yet, the head-to-head record has remained competitive throughout the years, with the Phins owning a slight 57-56-1 record over Gang Green.
Of course, the last meeting between the squads featured a Zach Wilson-led 40-17 blowout of the Dolphins at MetLife Stadium earlier this season. Sauce Gardner knocked out Teddy Bridgewater early and the rest was history.
Jets at Dolphins odds (FanDuel Sportsbook)
- Spread: Jets +3 (+100), Dolphins -3 (-122)
- Moneyline: Jets +156, Dolphins -186
- Over/Under: 37.5 (O: -104, U: -118)
While understanding the situation, it’s tough to lay money down on this one. Both New York and Miami are dealing with a tremendous number of injuries, which forces the clean three-point spread in favor of the home team to come out on the other side as wholly logical.
Jets at Dolphins injury report
#NYJvsMIA final injury report pic.twitter.com/lCJ7kKuUPX
— New York Jets (@nyjets) January 6, 2023
New York Jets
- Duane Brown (Shoulder): Out
- Brandin Echols (Quad): Out
- George Fant (Knee): Out
- Nate Herbig (Calf): Out
- Lamarcus Joyner (Hip): Out
- Mike White (Rib): Out
- Ashtyn Davis (Ankle): Questionable
- Laurent Duvernay-Tardif (Knee): Questionable
- C.J. Uzomah (Ankle): Questionable
- Jordan Whitehead (Hamstring): Questionable
We now know just how banged up the Jets’ offense line really was. Sure, the Alijah Vera-Tucker and Mekhi Becton absences have hurt, but it travels far beyond just those two ailments.
Duane Brown will miss the game with a shoulder. More specifically, the vet has incredibly been playing with a torn rotator cuff. George Fant and Nate Herbig will also be out, which means Joe Flacco’s offensive line will be incredibly limited.
Miami Dolphins
- Tua Tagovailoa (Concussion): Out
- Terron Armstead (Toe, Pec, Knee, Hip): Doubtful
- Kendall Lamm (Ankle): Doubtful
- Cedrick Wilson (Hip): Doubtful
- Teddy Bridgewater (Knee, Right Finger): Questionable
- Bradley Chubb (Ankle, Hand): Questionable
- Xavien Howard (Knee): Questionable
- Alec Ingold (Thumb): Questionable
- Eric Rowe (Quad): Questionable
Of course, Tua Tagovailoa is out, but considering Teddy Bridgewater’s injuries, Mike McDaniel has decided to roll with Skylar Thompson.
Jets at Dolphins prediction
- New York Jets 20, Miami Dolphins 13
It’s tough to think these teams will put up a boatload of points. On one side, the near-entirety of the team’s offense line is on the shelf. On the other side, Skylar Thompson is playing quarterback.
On paper, the Dolphins should not lose this game, especially at home. Then again, that’s just the paper side of things.
Ask Jets fans if their team will win this one, and the resounding answer will be, “Of course, they will. It makes no sense other than the sheer fact that the organization will win a game that means nothing for the playoffs while simultaneously injuring their draft status in the upcoming NFL draft.”
For that reason, coupled with the idea that this could be Joe Flacco’s NFL game, we’ll go with the New York Jets, 20-13, over the Miami Dolphins, to wrap up the 2022 NFL season.
