The ailing New York Jets prepare to take on Ryan Fitzpatrick and the Miami Dolpins after Gang Green was stomped by the winless Bengals in week 13. The Jets are a MASH unit at the moment with Jamal Adams and Le’Veon Bell being added to the ever growing list of starters who will be sidelined. What should Jets fans be watching for?
RB Bilal Powell:
Powell will step in for the injured Bell whose patient running style hasn’t yielded a whole lot in 2019. It wouldn’t be out of the question for Powell to turn in the team’s best rushing performance of the season as his straight ahead running style is better suited for the Jets offensive line. The Dolphins are currently 31st in the NFL against the run, but as we saw last week against the Bengals, this many not be of any interest to Adam Gase.
WR Robby Anderson:
Anderson is set to become a free agent after the season and could be facing his future team today. The speedy Anderson is a Miami kid who will be looking to rake in around $10 million per season when he hits free agency. He could make a lasting impression on the Dolphins today as they’re a team that can easily afford to meet Anderson’s asking price.
QB Sam Darnold: If Powell does a solid job on the ground today it could make life a bit easier for Darnold. The primary issue to keep an eye on will be how well Darnold protects the football. After throwing nine interceptions through his first five games this season, Darnold has thrown just one over the past four contests. Continuing to show progress in protecting the ball is huge.
CB Nate Hairston: Slot cornerback Brian Poole will miss this one with a concussion so Hairston will probably get the nod at slot corner where he does have some experience. Hairston showed promise on the boundary earlier this season but has struggled since while also battling injuries.
DL Quinnen Williams: Williams hasn’t shown up on the stat sheet with splash plays as much as the fans would like, but the Jets will need somebody to get some push up the middle today. Former Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick gets the ball out in a hurry, and if Williams or one of his fellow linemen can’t move him off his spot, it’s going to make life that much harder on the Jets decimated secondary,
Our final score prediction for this one? We’ll take the Jets at home because when two horrendous teams collide, we’ll take the team that didn’t have to travel. Jets win this one 24-20.