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Predicting the Final Score of Miami Dolphins vs New York Jets

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By @GregSulik

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Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Jets host the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football in a game that is longing for its past glories. The 2-9 Jets are one of the worst teams in the NFL, and their quarterback controversy was re-opened this week due to a terrible performance by Michael Vick in last week’s blowout loss. On the other hand, the Dolphins are coming off a tough loss to the Denver Broncos and need a win to stay in the wild card race.

On paper, everything points in the Dolphins’ favor. They outrank the Jets in total offense (17th to 29th), scoring offense (10th to 30th), total defense (5th to 7th), scoring defense (8th to 30th), and turnover differential (10th to 31st). However, the Jets and Dolphins have split the season series each of the last four years, and even when one team struggles overall they seem to find a way to make this game difficult. With the Jets having already sealed a losing season and mathematical elimination from the playoffs, playing spoiler for a division rival is a motivation.

The Jets announced that Geno Smith will start at quarterback, but that doesn’t change anything for Dolphins. Smith has been highly inaccurate and turnover prone, and the Jets haven’t had a competent passing game with him under center. If the Jets want to win, they have to control the game on the ground with Chris Ivory. Unfortunately, their defense concedes so many points that they are often forced to abandon the run. The Jets’ secondary has a ton of problems, so if they can’t pressure Ryan Tannehill then the defense is in for another long night.

For the Dolphins, the path to success is through the air, as it always is against the Jets. The Jets have given up quite a few big plays this year, and Mike Wallace should be able to get behind the secondary for some long completions. Running the ball is difficult against the Jets’ front seven, but as long as the line holds up in pass protection the Dolphins should be able to move the ball.

Defensively, it’s all about the pass rush. The Jets have given up the second most sacks in the league, and Smith usually crumbles under pressure. The Dolphins are fourth in sacks, and look for Cameron Wake & Co. to have a field day rushing the passer.

It wouldn’t be surprising if this game is closer than expected, but the Dolphins should still emerge victorious. At the end of the day, they are a much better football team and they need this game badly, and that will be enough to get them the road win.

Final score prediction: Dolphins 27, Jets 17

Greg Sulik is a New York Jets writer for Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter @GregSulik or add him to your network on Google

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