Dolphins Versus Jets: Round 2

Sept 23, 2012; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins middle linebacker Karlos Dansby (58) reacts during a game against the New York Jets during a game at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-US PRESSWIRE

A lot has changed in the 4 weeks since the Miami Dolphins last saw the New York Jets. A lot of us remember that game as a turning point for the Dolphins. As we watched that game we started to truly believe the Dolphins could really beat people that weren’t going to end up 1-15. Of course to play devil’s advocate, the Jets were considered at that point to be a very sub-par team. So now that it has been a month in between meetings what has changed?

Let’s start with the Jets. We as a country tend to pay extra special attention to our short term memory. That being said, the Jets were just beaten by the New England Patriots…Barely. Mark Sanchez looked like a stud in that game, but we should remember the Patriots secondary is one step short of turtles trying to cover cheetahs. In week 6 we saw the Jets absolutely destroy the Indianapolis Colts, but please look carefully. Sanchez was 11/18 for 82 yards and 2 very easy 5 yard touchdowns. I’ll say it again, 82 yards in 60 minutes.

If you look back a little further we see the Jets keeping pace on a game with the Houston Texans, and that was truly an impressive outing. The only obvious thing would be that Arian Foster ran all over them, which I’m sure Reggie Bush would not mind trying. Finally, right in between the last Dolphins game and the Texans game was the San Francisco 49ers absolutely demolishing the Jets.

Taking a look away from the actual play of the Jets we can see a few other glaring differences between the Jets of September, 23^rd and now. I think the most obvious is probably the minus Darrelle Revis factor. The one thing the Jets always have is that absolute shut down cornerback, but not now. They also lost Santonio Holmes whom I’m sure some of them have not cried over, but nonetheless he was still their only true wide receiver.

If we turn our attention to the Dolphins what do we see? We see a team that should probably be 5-1 short of a few errant field goals. The Dolphins have shown after the Jets game that adversity will not shut this team down. They lose in dramatic overtime fashion to the Jets and what do they do? They lose in dramatic overtime fashion to the Arizona Cardinals.

I know none of us were feeling especially wonderful after the Cardinals game. We were at the point where we begin to ask ourselves if this is the time they being to sink. To our surprise and enjoyment instead of sinking they come out the next week and shut Andy Dalton and the Cincinnati Bengals down. That was a gigantic win. Riding that high they shut down St. Louis Rams who definitely showed up to play but just couldn’t overcome the Dolphins defense.

There have been a few personnel changes since the last Jets game for the Dolphins as well. Primarily Reggie Bush as far as we know is completely healthy and ready to go. Ducking away from injuries, Ryan Tannehill since that game has become an efficient and confident leader of this team. He is making less mistakes and more crucial plays. On the opposite end Sean Smith all of a sudden is looking like a shutdown cornerback.

These are 2 very different teams in my opinion. The Jets are slowly but surely sinking and the Dolphins continue to inspire us as fans and rise in the rankings. The Dolphins defense looks as good as it has over the last 10 years. The offense is starting to look dependable, and everyone is playing as a whole. As they march into the Meadowlands I feel confident saying bring it on. The Dolphins are ready, willing, and able. Believe it or not they are HERE TO WIN.