Can Tim Boyle Provide an Emotional Lift for the NY Jets?

That was unpleasant to say the least. The only bright spot in the NY Jets atrocious performance against the Bills was that it finally motivated head coach Robert Saleh to put Zach Wilson on the sideline. It had to happen, Tim Boyle finally saw the field. Wilson is a bust, and I think he has seen the field for the last time in a Jet uniform. Other than the change at quarterback, there was next to nothing to be happy about coming out of the Buffalo game.

This week the first-place Dolphins come to town. Miami won in lackluster fashion at home Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders. The Dolphins are banged up at the skill positions. Over the last two weeks, the top-rated offense in the NFL has posted totals of just 14 and 20 points. This matchup is an interesting one. Miami excels in the passing game. The Dolphins are explosive and average a league’s-best 291 yards through the air. The Jets are the fifth-best in the league at stopping the pass. The Jets are one of the few teams in the league that have the ability to pressure Dolphin’s quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, with just four rushers. That gives the talented back seven of the Jets the ability to drop more people into coverage to deal with all-world receivers Tyreek Hill and Jalen Waddell.  The Jets can’t ignore the Dolphin’s running game. Miami is second in the league in rushing yards, averaging a gaudy 143 yards per game on the ground. It’s a bit of pick your poison with Miami as they can put points on the board quickly on the ground or through the air. The Dolphin’s backfield is banged up though. Running back De’von Achane aggravated a knee injury against the Raiders. The injury had Achane on the IR for multiple weeks. Raheem Mostert went into the Raider game with an injury designation and was held under four yards per carry on the day.

The Jets will not shut the Dolphins out. They need to put some points on the board. The switch to Tim Boyle at quarterback may be a shot in the arm emotionally for the Jets. Boyle needs to make some plays in the passing game to give the team a fighting chance to win. Boyle is not mobile, so the Jet offensive line needs to be better…much better than they have been in recent weeks. Miami’s defense is a top-tier unit. They rank 12^th in the league. The stats are a bit skewed in this regard as Miami’s opponents are finding themselves behind, needing to abandon the run early and take chances. If the Jets stay committed to the run, they will find some holes in the Dolphins rush defense. The Jets need to run the ball to support Boyle as he makes his first start of the season. If the Dolphins can ignore the Jet’s run game, it will be another long day for New York.

I think the Jets will come to play this week with one of their best efforts of the season. Miami has struggled to beat the quality teams on their schedule. The question is whether the Jets can play like a quality team. New York should get a shot in the arm with the quarterback change, and the embarrassing loss in Buffalo should provide ample motivation this week for Gang Green.

Nick Ferraro

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