The Miami Dolphins and New York Jets usually have eventful games even when both teams are not having great seasons.
As the Dolphins travel to face the host Jets on Sunday afternoon in East Rutherford, N.J., they are looking to extend a three-game winning streak and keep their slim playoff hopes alive.
Miami (5-7) still is very much a longshot to make the postseason as, realistically, it would have to win each of its remaining five games and get some help.
The Jets (3-9) are out of the playoff picture, but have played some of their best football of late, winning three of their past five following an 0-7 start. New York has also won its past two home games.
The Dolphins beat the Jets 27-21 in Miami on Sept. 29 on a Monday night in a game in which both teams entered winless at the time. That game also featured the loss of Dolphins star wide receiver Tyreek Hill for the season due to a devastating knee injury.
The majority of the Dolphins’ success during their recent resurgence has come more from its ground game and running back De’Von Achane, who has put together three consecutive games of 120 or more yards rushing.
Achane entered the week ranked third in the NFL in rushing yards (1,034) behind only Indianapolis’ Jonathan Taylor (1,282) and Buffalo’s James Cook (1,228). Detroit’s running back Jahmyr Gibbs, who is fourth and on Achane’s heels with 1,019 yards, plays Thursday night against the Dallas Cowboys.
The potent ground attack has disguised the recent struggles of starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who is tied with Las Vegas’ Geno Smith for the league lead in interceptions (14).
“His job is to lead us to victory,” Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said about Tagovailoa. “Tua would admit and I would admit it wasn’t his best game [Sunday]. You’re trying to find the ‘why’ so he can have his best game that is required.”
Unlike the Dolphins, one of the most positive developments for the Jets during their recent success has been its starting quarterback, veteran Tyrod Taylor.
Taylor hasn’t put up huge numbers over his last two games, but has been solid for the Jets, passing for 394 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
Taylor’s 10-yard rushing touchdown last week helped the Jets rally in the fourth quarter and beat the Atlanta Falcons on a 56-yard field goal by Nick Folk as time expired.
Taylor isn’t the only different player the Jets will have playing a key role, who didn’t play in the teams’ first meeting this season.
Wide receiver Adonai Mitchell made his first major impact for the Jets since being traded from the Colts for Sauce Gardner. Mitchell caught eight passes for 102 yards and a touchdown.
“Listen, we owe those guys,” Jets coach Aaron Glenn said. “We lost one down there with those guys, so looking forward to those guys coming to our place and getting a chance to play them.”
The Jets already have two players that they have ruled out for Sunday’s matchup – starting cornerback Jarvis Brownlee Jr. (hip) and linebacker/special teamer Mareclino McCrary-Ball (hamstring). It will be the second consecutive game Brownlee will sit out.
Also for the Jets, defensive back Tony Adams (groin), defensive end Jermaine Johnson II (ankle), defensive tackle Harrison Phillips (rest day) and cornerback Qwan’tez Stiggers (concussion) did not practice Wednesday. Defensive end Will McDonald IV (ankle) was limited.
Only three players were limited for the Dolphins – cornerback Rasul Douglas (foot/illness), fullback Alec Ingold (neck) and tight end Darren Waller (rest day).
-Field Level Media
