The Jets return to action tonight looking to snap their three game losing streak against the winless Dolphins
Key Matchup When the Dolphins Have the Ball: Sione Pouha vs. Mike Pouncey
Matt Moore is starting at quarterback tonight for Miami. He posted a 55.6 passer rating in five starts for the Panthers last year. The Dolphins are probably going to look to run heavily to keep Moore out of passing downs. The Jets might show a lot of four man lines, but the nose tackle handling the center is still very important to control the point of attack and limit the success of the run game.
Key Matchup When the Jets Have the Ball: Nick Mangold vs. Paul Soliai
The Jets have some matchups to exploit on the outside, but they have been unwilling to try and exploit similar edges in the past few weeks. Soliai is underperforming in the season following what looked like a breakout season. If Mangold wins the matchup the way he should on paper, it frees up other linemen to hit the second level.
Three Simple Keys:
1. Load the Box: Miami is going to do everything possible to avoid a situation where Moore has to win the game. That means a ton of running to shorten the game and keep him out of obvious passing situations. The Jets should focus on stopping the run. Even if the Dolphins do try and throw more than expected, the Jets may have the corners, Darrelle Revis, Antonio Cromartie, and Kyle Wilson to lock down Miami’s receivers, Brandon Marshall, Brian Hartline, and Davone Bess.
2. Throw the Kitchen Sink at Moore: The Jets are blitzing less this season. While the Dolphins have an explosive receiving back in Reggie Bush and have exploited the Jets through the screen game in the past, this is a game to attack a shaky quarterback and try and force mistakes. Miami’s pass protection has been spotty this year, particularly Marc Columbo at right tackle.
3. Avoid Penalties: This is a game where field position is likely to be important. One team is starting a backup quarterback. The other is struggling to find any kind of good vibes on offense. Miami’s punter Brandon Fields might have been the MVP of the Dolphins win in the Meadowlands last December. He hits rockets. The Jets need to avoid doing Miami any favors by giving away yardage.