What is there left to play for once the playoffs are out of reach? Is it pride, or is it for your future?
In other words, how does a team stay focused on the task at hand once the ultimate goals are out of sight?
Those are the questions that the New York Jets will have to answer across the rest of the 2024 season. With their playoff chances evaporated, the team will have to find their reasons individually and as a team to finish a disappointing season strong.
The latest test for this mindset is none other than the Miami Dolphins.
Amid a disappointing season of their own, the Dolphins head into Week 14 after a crushing Thanksgiving loss to the Green Bay Packers. They have dealt with plenty of their own issues, whether it is injuries to key stars or just plain underachievement from all areas of the team.
What was once potentially a matchup for the AFC East crown has turned into a battle for pride and bragging rights. Can the Jets come out victorious, or will New York suffer another defeat in a season full of them?
Follow along as we preview the Jets’ Week 14 matchup in South Beach!
Jets vs. Dolphins Game Info
- New York Jets (3-9)
- Miami Dolphins (5-7)
- 2024 NFL Week 14
- Sunday, December 8th, 1:00 p.m. ET
- CBS
- Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
The New York Jets will face off against the Miami Dolphins at 1 p.m. EST on Sunday, December 8. The game will take place at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida and will air on CBS. Kevin Harlan, Trent Green, and Melanie Collins will be on the call for the game.
In terms of uniform combinations, the Jets will rock their green helmets, green jerseys, and white pants against the Dolphins.
Jets vs. Dolphins Game History
For a matchup between two longstanding rivals, the history is just about as even as possible.
Over the course of their all-time matchups, the Dolphins hold a narrow advantage over the Jets with a 60-56-1 record.
At home, the Dolphins have dominated the Jets. New York’s last “road” win against the Dolphins came in 2015, although that game was in London. The Jets’ last win in Miami came in the 2014 season finale.
Miami has also dominated the series’ recent history, having a 7-2 record against the Jets from 2019 until now. New York’s most recent win came in 2022, when they throttled the Dolphins by a score of 40-17.
Jets vs. Dolphins Betting Odds (FanDuel Sportsbook)
It seems that, at long last, Vegas has lost its hope in the Jets.
At the time of writing this article, the Jets are 5.5-point underdogs. They are also considerable underdogs in the moneyline, with a +220 line compared to the Dolphins’ -270 line. The point total for the game is relatively average, sitting at an O/U of 44.5.
None of these lines are surprising. The Jets are seen as almost a touchdown worse than Miami, which they have proven to be correct with their 3-9 record. FanDuel sees the Jets are unlikely to outright win the game against the Dolphins, which is a very solid case to make. And with both teams struggling, the point total is at a level to show that FanDuel expects this to be a low scoring affair.
If the Jets want to get the sportsbooks back in their good graces, they must play better on the field. Otherwise, more of these situations will appear over the last five games of the season.
Jets vs. Dolphins Injury Report
New York Jets
- LB C.J. Mosley, Neck – Out
- RB Breece Hall, Knee – Out
- CB Qwan’tez Stiggers, Illness – Out
- CB Sauce Gardner, Hamstring – Doubtful
- OL Morgan Moses, Knee/Shoulder – Questionable
- OL Xavier Newman-Johnson, Groin – Questionable
- OL Olu Fashanu, Toe – Questionable
- OL Alijah Vera-Tucker, Ankle – Questionable
The Jets are back to having a long injury report, and they are slated to be without multiple key contributors.
Linebacker C.J. Mosley is out with a neck injury and has been placed on IR. Cornerback Sauce Gardner and running back Breece Hall are doubtful with knee and hamstring injuries, respectively.
Many young backup players will have to step up, specifically in place of Mosley, Gardner, and Hall. If those roles are not adequately filled, the Jets could be in store for another very long day.
Miami Dolphins
- OT Terron Armstead, Knee – Questionable
- LB Anthony Walker, Hamstring – Questionable
- LB Bradley Chubb, Knee – Questionable
- LB Cameron Goode, Knee – Questionable
- CB Kader Kohou, Back – Questionable
- HB Raheem Mostert, Hip – Questionable
- LS Blake Ferguson, Non-Football Illness – Questionable
The Dolphins are also dealing with a decent amount of injuries ahead of the game with the Jets, although nobody is listed as out or doubtful. Still, a decent number of players will be banged-up.
Miami has overcome injuries in the past, and they will have to do so once again to beat the Jets on Sunday.
Jets vs. Dolphins Game Prediction
- Dolphins defeat the Jets, 30-17
Unfortunately for Jets fans, I do not see the losing ways stopping this week.
Without Sauce Gardner, the defense will have its hands full with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Their linebackers, without Mosley’s leadership, will have to deal with Mike McDaniel’s relentless misdirection.
On offense, the Jets’ offensive line is nicked up again and may struggle to hold up over the course of an entire game. Without Breece Hall, the play-callers will have to deploy Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis consistently, something they have yet to show this season. That is not even considering the inconsistencies of quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
At the end of the day, I do not see the Jets competing with the firepower of the Dolphins and being able to overcome their injuries. Give me the Dolphins by a score of 30-17.
