This year's Jets are just built for media coverage -- between superstar rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez, bold and brash head coach Rex Ryan, and now, wide receiver/model/actor Braylon Edwards, there are plenty of storylines to keep New York in the headlines.But heading into tonight's game between the Jets and Dolphins, here's what you might not be reading: This game is more important for Miami.
Even with a loss, the Jets would still sit in first in the AFC East with a very favorable schedule coming up (Buffalo, at Oakland, Miami, Jacksonville in their next four). The Dolphins, on the other hand, are in make-or-break mode. After a Week 6 bye, the Dolphins host New Orleans, then have to play the Jets and Patriots on the road back-to-back. With three losses already, Miami's on the verge of falling out of the postseason picture -- even in a division that looks to be there for the taking.
Suffice it to say, Monday night is a must-win for Miami. If the Dolphins pull the minor upset off, they improve to 2-3, shove the Jets to 3-2 -- and a tie with New England -- and jumble the AFC East picture.
Three Key Questions:
1. How well will Edwards mesh with Sanchez, just days after being traded from Cleveland to New York?
2. Can Miami QB Chad Henne repeat his strong Week 4 performance?
3. Will the Dolphins be able to run the ball at all against the Jets defense?
Player in the Spotlight: Edwards. He wanted to get out of Cleveland and go to a big market, and he got his wish. Now he has to make the Jets' investment in him worthwhile. Jerricho Cotchery, New York's current leading receiver with 25 catches for 356 yards, is a game-time decision with a hamstring injury, which might increase even further the pressure on Edwards to produce immediately. If his head's on straight, he could give Sanchez the big-play and red-zone threat that he needs -- but if he brings his Cleveland struggles east, he'll just make Sanchez's job more difficult.
New York's Path to Victory: There's no need to change anything -- the Jets are 3-1 and played well enough to win last week in New Orleans, save for two terrible Sanchez turnovers that led to two Saints' TDs. The defense put the clamps on Drew Brees' aerial show like few defenses can, and the unit is still a top-five group in both points and yards allowed. The Jets are able to stop the run without doing anything special, but they'll likely pay extra attention to the Ronnie Brown-Ricky Williams duo in Miami's backfield, and force Henne to play well in his second NFL start. Sanchez has to play better than he did in Week 4, too -- four turnovers won't get it done against many opponents.Miami's Path to Victory: In Week 2's Monday night game, host Miami absolutely took it to Indianapolis for much of the game -- but struggled to punch the ball in the end zone, couldn't come up with a big defensive stop, and let one get away. If the Dolphins play with the same intensity they displayed in that game, they'll make life hard on the Jets. Last week, in Henne's first start, the Dolphins got it done on the ground, rushing for 250 yards in a 38-10 win over Buffalo -- Henne threw for 115 yards and a TD, but didn't have to do much. He'll probably find himself in less of a comfort zone this week. That said, if he avoids turning the ball over and stretches the Jets defense by throwing the deep ball, as he's more than capable of doing, Brown and Williams could find room.
Miami also had six sacks against Buffalo (though it seems like everyone does) -- keeping the pressure on Sanchez might be the key.
Prediction: It's not easy to consider picking against the Jets given how the matchup of their dominating defense against the inexperienced Henne. But Sanchez showed a little chink in his armor last week, and he has to deal with a pretty potent Miami rush. Oh, and let's not forget the topic we started with: that this game is a monster for the Dolphins. At home, with their season on the brink, they have to find a way. Miami 27, New York 21
