Dolphins can't afford loss to long-time rival Jets on Monday night
After facing teams with a winning record in their last four games, the Miami Dolphins (6-5) square off against long-time rivals the New York Jets (2-9) on the road for a Monday Night Football clash.
The Jets have had a disastrous season with coach Rex Ryan likely coaching his final set of games for this team. After their season opening win against the similarly hapless Oakland Raiders, the team proceeded to lose eight straight before beating the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 10.
For their part, Miami cannot afford to lose any games for the duration of the season if they want to reach the playoffs, and even if they did it might not be a given anyway. After dropping two of their last three games, they have no one else to blame but themselves for being in this predicament.
"It's tough, you lose those tight games and it's the NFL, you've got to be able to win those tough games, especially when you hit November,"said starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill. "Every game gets a little bigger once you hit November. So to lose two tough ones in November is definitely tough. But at this point, we can't do anything about that. You learn from it and get ready to play these next five games."
It starts on Monday, where the Dolphins figure to outplay the Jets by every measure -- though you never know when it comes to this team. Their secondary unit is weakened with the loss of cornerbacks Jamar Taylor and Cortland Finnegan, with rookie Walt Aikens likely to replace one of them in the starting lineup.
Regardless, Miami has no business making the playoffs if they can't handle the lowly Jets, who are likely gunning for a top spot in next year's draft.
MATCHUP TO WATCH
Jets QB Geno Smith vs Dolphins defensive line
Both parties have something to prove. Smith hasn't started in a month after Michael Vick was handed the starting role but has been given the nod versus Miami due to Vick's poor performance in all three of his starts, particularly last week against the Buffalo Bills. Smith did lead his team to a Week 17 win versus Miami last year.
The Dolphins defense had a poor showing last week in crunch time against the Denver Broncos but face a significantly weaker team this time around. Still, with the playoff picture quite uncertain, this is no time for underestimating their opponent.
TRENDING UP
Dolphins: Tannehill has a passer rating well over 100 in three of his last four games. Against such a weak defense, he should have a monster game on Monday.
Jets: Not much, if any, has gone right for New York this season, but they do lead the league in kickoff return yards with 928.
TRENDING DOWN
Dolphins: After their loss last week in Denver, the Dolphins are just 0-3 in games decided by four points or less this year.
Jets: New York is dead last in the NFL in their passing game with just 1911 total yards for the season.
INJURY REPORT
Dolphins: Out: LB Jonathan Freeny (hamstring), CB Jamar Taylor (shoulder); Doubtful: TE Charles Clay (hamstring/knee), CB Cortland Finnegan (ankle), G Nate Garner (illness); Questionable: T Ja'Wuan James (neck)
Jets: Out: TE Jace Amaro (concussion), DL Muhammad Wilkerson (toe)
DID YOU KNOW?
Miami is 40-40 all-time on Monday Night Football, including 5-7 against the Jets.
QUOTEBOARD
"It's a rivalry. We play them twice a year. A lot times, they're in the way of getting to the playoffs. It's not really a hatred thing for me, but it's definitely competition. Since you see them twice a year, you see the same guys and there might be some chatter the game before and some revenge things going on. That's what happens when you play a team that's in your division." -- LB Jelani Jenkins on the rivalry between the Dolphins and Jets.
"We've got to go out and play one of our best games of the year. Even though we're playing a team that doesn't have that good of a record, it doesn't show that on film. They've got a top 10 defense, they play really well on defense. I know on offense we have to play really well." -- G Mike Pouncey on facing the Jets at this time of the season.
"No, I wouldn't say we were surprised. We were getting ready for both players obviously. I don't know if either one is a huge, dramatic shift from the other. They have some similar traits. Offensively, the good thing is there's film on both guys. You can certainly take a look at both of them." -- Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin on the Jets' QB announcement.
LOOKING AHEAD
Miami hosts the Baltimore Ravens next Sunday at 1:00 p.m.
You can follow Surya Fernandez on Twitter @SuryaHeatNBA or email him at SuryaFoxSports@gmail.com.