Miami Dolphins to test their skills against divisional rival New York Jets

This Sunday, September 16th, an early divisional rivalry match-up. The Miami Dolphins go north to test their skills against the divisional foe New York Jets

These two franchises are one of the NFL biggest rivalries and have met 105 times in their history, with the Miami Dolphins winning 50 of those games, the New York Jets winning 54 and one tie between them in the 1981 season.

This is always a circle the calendar type game between these two teams. There is absolutely no love loss between either, the Miami Dolphins or New York Jets players and fans. So many memorable games have taken place between these two franchises throughout the years. The 1983 AFC Championship game or aka, “The Mud Bowl”, the 1994 fake spike game and the 2000 “Monday Night Miracle” just to name a few. What football fan doesn’t know about any of those moments in time, and that my friends is what creates one hell of a rivalry!

I got to be honest here and say that i felt a whole lot more confident about this game until I watched the New York Jets game against the Detroit lions last night. I was left scratching my head and wondering, is this New York Jets team this good or was it poor play by the Detroit Lions. Jury is still out on that one.

The Miami Dolphins have several match-ups i really like in this one though after watching the Jets in action. Danny Amendola is going to thrive over the middle, I watched Golden Tate eat em up Monday night over the middle. Danny Amendola’s quick shiftiness should prove to be a real problem for the New York Jets defense. Mike Gesicki could also produce in this game over the middle, he big and athletic and was really stifled last game.

Adam Gase will probable game plan a little more for him in this one. Ryan Tannehill should be able to pick his moments and find some options through the air in this game. Kenny stills should be able to stretch the field and use his speed to get open deep but the New York Jets defense does possess speed, so the decision-making is going to have to happen quickly. Hopefully, and I mean hopefully, one DeVante Parker can show up and give Ryan Tannehill a huge red zone target, something the Dolphins need, badly.

The Miami Dolphins running game, with Frank Gore and Kenyan Drake should be able to exploit the New York defensive front and be used to set up some nice play action options for the Dolphins offense. I think we will see a little more Kenyan Drake showcased in this match-up due to his speed and elusiveness and his great hands out of the backfield.

The Dolphins defensive front MUST create some form of pass rush. Watching Sam Darnold Monday night proved he is very accurate with the ball if not under duress. Cameron Wake and Robert Quinn (aka..the Dynamic Duo) must show that last weekend versus the Titans was a fluke and must get pressure on the rookie but must contain the edge because he showed a knack of extending plays by running outside to get his receivers open.

The New York Jets running game can and has, given the Miami Dolphins fits in the past. Bilal Powell and Isaiah Crowell are both very formidable and physical running backs and must be contained near the line of scrimmage. Isaiah Crowell has some jets in the open field and these two will test the Miami Dolphins ability to stop the run. The tackling issues that surfaced in the Titan game must be kept in check in this game or the Dolphins will find themselves behind by a lot.

I do have a feeling however, that we will see some turnovers in this game by the Miami secondary and hopefully we can rattle the rookies confidence and slow Sam Darnold down, something the Detroit Lions failed to do on Monday night. The good news is the Miami Dolphins now have some tape on the New York Jets to breakdown and utilize to establish a better game plan.

The Special Teams will have a huge impact in this game on both sides. Each team was able to exploit the opposing teams return game coverage and both teams produced a touchdown from a kickoff return. I know Darrin Rizzi had a few choice and of course, not so tender words for his group on the tackling and assignments on kick off coverage’s. I expect to see a much improved group out there on Sunday.

I foresee a hard game in front of the Miami Dolphins, but one they can win. Adam Gase will have the team ready for battle and I do believe they will respond. With these two teams you never know when they’ll give us another classic and I look forward to seeing another W in the win column and watching one, if not thee best rivalry in the NFL.