Jets vs. Dolphins Pregame

The Jets go down to Miami on Monday night to take on Chad Henne and the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins come into the game with a 1-3 record while the Jets come in at 3-1. It has seemed like an eternity since the Jets-Saints game and a lot has happened. Calvin Pace has returned from his 4 game suspension (to be discussed more later) and the Jets have acquired the big receiver they have been looking for with the trade for Braylon Edwards. These moved bring back two guys who should play a huge part in tomorrow nights game.

A few thoughts about the game....

• What impact will the wildcat have in this game? The Dolphins have run the wildcat offense with varying levels of success this year. I think the attacking defense of the Jets will not allow the wildcat to gain any momentum in this game. The Jets are going to make stopping the run their number one priority in this game like they did against the Titans. The difference is that Miami does not have a veteran quarterback who they can rely on to beat the blitz. The wildcat offense is not going to win this game for Miami.

• The Jets have been one of the best teams in the NFL at getting pressure on the quarterback this year. However, this has resulted in only 4 sacks. I believe, with the return of Calvin Pace, we will start to see a lot more sacks out of this defense. It seems like most quarterbacks so far have been able to get off passes a split second before the pass rush can reach them. Pace is the best pass rusher on the team and should be able to get to the quarterback and create some sacks.

• It does not seem like Jerricho Cotchery will be able to play this week based on Rex Ryan press conferences. He has been held out of practice for multiple days. This is disappointing to Jets fans (like myself) who were looking forward to seeing the Cotchery/Edwards combination on the field at the same time. These guys should open up opportunities for each other all season as defenses will not be able to roll coverages towards both of them. I think we will miss Cotchery on Monday night (if he can't play) because Miami will be able to roll coverages onto Edwards and force lesser receivers such as Brad Smith and David Clowney to step up and make plays.

Players to Watch:

• The newcomers, Braylon Edwards and Calvin Pace, will get to add their talents to an already talented Jets team. Edwards should make his impact apparent right away as defenses will have to stop stacking 8 men in the box against the run. I expect the presence of Edwards on the outside to open up running lanes for Thomas Jones, Leon Washington, and Shonn Greene. Calvin Pace returning to the lineup is the most exciting move of the week for me. He has been away from the team since Week 1 and his return adds another play-maker to an already stellar Jets defense. Pace gives the Jets the ability to finish plays and get more sacks on the quarterback. This should result in more turnovers and big play for the Jets defense.
  

• Mark Sanchez will have to rebound after a terrible performance against the Saints last Sunday. The Jets running game hasn't been performing very well so far and Rex Ryan has no hesitation in putting the ball in Sanchez's hands and letting him try to win the game.

• The offensive line will have to put in a lot better performance than they did last week. Sanchez is going to need time in the pocket to throw and the Jets can't allow Joey Porter and Jason Taylor to get pressure on Sanchez all night. Also, the offensive line needs to start opening up running lanes. Jones and Washington haven't quite been the same this year as they were last and if they can open up some lanes in this game I anticipate Leon Washington having a huge game.

My Game Thoughts:

I think the Jets defense will be too much for Chad Henne and the Miami offense. Calvin Pace will be playing with a chip on his shoulder after watching the first four games from home and I expect him to wreak havoc in the backfield. Ryan will have schemes drawn up for the wildcat and I have no doubt that he knows how to defend that. The Jets offense will not have to do a whole lot to win this game. If Sanchez can protect the ball and make a few plays the Jets defense should take care of the rest.

My Game Prediction:

Jets- 17
Dolphins- 3