New York Jets at Miami Dolphins (-2.5, 35.5)
The undefeated Dolphins sit atop the AFC East at 2-0 and have a chance to separate themselves in the division from the preseason division favorite Jets.
Mainly thanks to phenomenal defensive performances, Miami's record is unblemished through two weeks and the team is coming off close victories over Buffalo (15-10) and Minnesota (14-10). The Jets endured a similar contest in Week 1, losing to Baltimore 10-9, before the offense got going in a 28-14 win over New England last Sunday.
LINE MOVEMENT
The line opened at a pick or Miami -1 but multiple books are offering Jets +2.5 as of Saturday afternoon. The total is moving slightly, mostly dancing between 34.5 and 36. Either way, most expect a low-scoring contest Sunday night.
INJURY REPORT
The Jets had health problems right from the start this season. Nose tackle Kris Jenkins was lost for the year in Week 1 and now star cornerback Darrelle Revis is licking his wounds. Revis tweaked his hamstring while trying to stay in stride with Randy Moss on a deep TD pass last weekend.
Revis is out for Sunday's game against Miami, so expect Antonio Cromartie to matchup against Fins star receiver Brandon Marshall. Marshall had the best day of his career with the Denver Broncos in 2008, ripping down 18 receptions for 166 yards against a San Diego secondary that included Cromartie.
Jets linebacker Calvin Pace (foot) is also out, but defensive end Jason Taylor and center Nick Manggold were upgraded from questionable to probable on Friday.
The Dolphins are in pretty good shape, although they are not without issues. Inside linebacker Channing Crowder is doubtful with a groin problem and rookie defensive end Jared Odrick will miss a second straight game due to a hairline fracture in his right leg. Offensive guard John Jerry missed his third consecutive practice on Friday because of illness and he is listed as doubtful.
PRIOR ENGAGEMENTS
The Jets won five in a row starting with a 2006 sweep of Miami, but the Dolphins ended the drought by winning the second encounter in 2008 and now they are on a three-game streak.
Miami was 2-0 last year against the Jets, even though Miami was an underdog in each game.
THE ROYAL TANNENBAUM
In addition to their injury problems, the Jets are mired in a controversy surrounding wide receiver Braylon Edwards. Recently arrested for driving under the influence, Edwards will not start Sunday night's game. It's not clear exactly if he will take the field, but the punishment is not expected to be a whole lot more than "not starting."
General manager Mike Tannenbaum says the decision will be made sometime before kickoff, it won't be announced, and it will not depend on how the game is progressing.
While some outsiders have called for a suspension, Tannenbaum pointed out that deactivating Edwards would be a violation of the labor agreement. Edwards said he would waive his rights if the team wanted to punish him further, but Tannenbaum told the New Jersey Star-Ledger, "A player cannot waive his collectively-bargained rights."
"Our reputation is important," Tannenbaum continued. "We take it seriously. We want to be known as a first-class organization."
It’s a tough call for Tannenbaum. The Jets don’t have many receiving weapons, and Edwards has five touchdown catches in just three career games against the Dolphins.
It's pretty clear that by not inflicting more punishment, the Jets also want to be a first-place organization.
IT'S ELECTRIC
The Dolphins are pumped up for primetime, a slot they were all too unfamiliar with prior to last season.
"Electric," fullback Lousaka Polite told the Miami Herald. "No other way to put it. It's electric. Two teams, everyone's watching. You can't hide from that. So you play your hardest."
"Of course, it's a different atmosphere," added defensive end Kendall Langford. "It's a great feeling, everyone's energized. The lights bring it out. It's just more exciting. I guess it kind of goes back to your high school days when you played with the lights on...Friday night lights."
The Dolphins were relegated exclusively to Sunday afternoons in 2008, but a strong season garnered them three primetime slots in 2009. They did not disappoint. Miami fell to Indianapolis--the AFC Champion--27-23, edged the Jets 31-27, and beat Carolina 27-23.
Miami may want to test the Jets through the air on Sunday due to Revis' absence, but the team dominated on the ground in last year's three night games. Tony Sporano's club ate up 45:07 of clock against the Colts, ran for 151 yards against the Jets before Brown scored the game-winner with six seconds left, and Ricky Williams ran for 119 yards and scored three times against the Panthers.
"I just think that this team has done well in some of those situations on those kinds of stages, and I think they'll be excited," Sparano told the Herald. "I don't think, I know they'll be excited."
TRENDING TOPICS
The Jets are 5-1 ATS in their last six on the road and they are 5-1 ATS in their last six against teams with winning records.
The Dolphins are 8-1 ATS in their last nine against AFC East rivals.
The over is 6-1-1 in Miami's last eight home games.
The undefeated Dolphins sit atop the AFC East at 2-0 and have a chance to separate themselves in the division from the preseason division favorite Jets.
Mainly thanks to phenomenal defensive performances, Miami's record is unblemished through two weeks and the team is coming off close victories over Buffalo (15-10) and Minnesota (14-10). The Jets endured a similar contest in Week 1, losing to Baltimore 10-9, before the offense got going in a 28-14 win over New England last Sunday.
LINE MOVEMENT
The line opened at a pick or Miami -1 but multiple books are offering Jets +2.5 as of Saturday afternoon. The total is moving slightly, mostly dancing between 34.5 and 36. Either way, most expect a low-scoring contest Sunday night.
INJURY REPORT
The Jets had health problems right from the start this season. Nose tackle Kris Jenkins was lost for the year in Week 1 and now star cornerback Darrelle Revis is licking his wounds. Revis tweaked his hamstring while trying to stay in stride with Randy Moss on a deep TD pass last weekend.
Revis is out for Sunday's game against Miami, so expect Antonio Cromartie to matchup against Fins star receiver Brandon Marshall. Marshall had the best day of his career with the Denver Broncos in 2008, ripping down 18 receptions for 166 yards against a San Diego secondary that included Cromartie.
Jets linebacker Calvin Pace (foot) is also out, but defensive end Jason Taylor and center Nick Manggold were upgraded from questionable to probable on Friday.
The Dolphins are in pretty good shape, although they are not without issues. Inside linebacker Channing Crowder is doubtful with a groin problem and rookie defensive end Jared Odrick will miss a second straight game due to a hairline fracture in his right leg. Offensive guard John Jerry missed his third consecutive practice on Friday because of illness and he is listed as doubtful.
PRIOR ENGAGEMENTS
The Jets won five in a row starting with a 2006 sweep of Miami, but the Dolphins ended the drought by winning the second encounter in 2008 and now they are on a three-game streak.
Miami was 2-0 last year against the Jets, even though Miami was an underdog in each game.
THE ROYAL TANNENBAUM
In addition to their injury problems, the Jets are mired in a controversy surrounding wide receiver Braylon Edwards. Recently arrested for driving under the influence, Edwards will not start Sunday night's game. It's not clear exactly if he will take the field, but the punishment is not expected to be a whole lot more than "not starting."
General manager Mike Tannenbaum says the decision will be made sometime before kickoff, it won't be announced, and it will not depend on how the game is progressing.
While some outsiders have called for a suspension, Tannenbaum pointed out that deactivating Edwards would be a violation of the labor agreement. Edwards said he would waive his rights if the team wanted to punish him further, but Tannenbaum told the New Jersey Star-Ledger, "A player cannot waive his collectively-bargained rights."
"Our reputation is important," Tannenbaum continued. "We take it seriously. We want to be known as a first-class organization."
It’s a tough call for Tannenbaum. The Jets don’t have many receiving weapons, and Edwards has five touchdown catches in just three career games against the Dolphins.
It's pretty clear that by not inflicting more punishment, the Jets also want to be a first-place organization.
IT'S ELECTRIC
The Dolphins are pumped up for primetime, a slot they were all too unfamiliar with prior to last season.
"Electric," fullback Lousaka Polite told the Miami Herald. "No other way to put it. It's electric. Two teams, everyone's watching. You can't hide from that. So you play your hardest."
"Of course, it's a different atmosphere," added defensive end Kendall Langford. "It's a great feeling, everyone's energized. The lights bring it out. It's just more exciting. I guess it kind of goes back to your high school days when you played with the lights on...Friday night lights."
The Dolphins were relegated exclusively to Sunday afternoons in 2008, but a strong season garnered them three primetime slots in 2009. They did not disappoint. Miami fell to Indianapolis--the AFC Champion--27-23, edged the Jets 31-27, and beat Carolina 27-23.
Miami may want to test the Jets through the air on Sunday due to Revis' absence, but the team dominated on the ground in last year's three night games. Tony Sporano's club ate up 45:07 of clock against the Colts, ran for 151 yards against the Jets before Brown scored the game-winner with six seconds left, and Ricky Williams ran for 119 yards and scored three times against the Panthers.
"I just think that this team has done well in some of those situations on those kinds of stages, and I think they'll be excited," Sparano told the Herald. "I don't think, I know they'll be excited."
TRENDING TOPICS
The Jets are 5-1 ATS in their last six on the road and they are 5-1 ATS in their last six against teams with winning records.
The Dolphins are 8-1 ATS in their last nine against AFC East rivals.
The over is 6-1-1 in Miami's last eight home games.
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