Dolphins-Jets Preview: Moore or Less

What to watch for as the Dolphins visit the new Meadowlands

The Dolphins have been the very definition of mediocre over the past two seasons, but they have excelled in one area: beating the New York Jets. Miami has beaten New York in three of their past five meetings, dating back to a Week 17 clash in 2008 that sent Miami to the playoffs and ended the Jets' season.

The Jets were once again a chic pick to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl when the season began, but three straight losses after a 2-0 start have put them in third place in the division at the quarter pole. Jets coach Rex Ryan says his team has not lost confidence, but did call tonight's game critical. A loss would put the Jets three games behind division-leading New England, which could be an insurmountable deficit the way the Patriots are playing.

A loss for the Dolphins would all but eliminate them from playoff contention: no team in NFL history has ever made the playoffs after starting 0-5. But then again, for a fan base with a large faction hoping the Dolphins can get the first pick in the NFL draft and select Stanford QB Andrew Luck, a loss would not be unwelcome, even if it comes at the hand of the hated Jets.

When Miami has the ball
: Matt Moore will become the 16th man to start at quarterback for the Dolphins since Dan Marino retired, and he will get the benefit of playing against a defense that has given up 30 points in two of its past three games. Despite their struggles, the Jets still have one of the better cornerback tandems in the NFL in Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie. However, while New York boasts the fifth-best passing defense in the league, its rush defense is currently ranked in the bottom ten.

That could bode well for Miami, but with RB Daniel Thomas banged up and the offensive line coming off a dreadful outing against San Diego (Miami could only muster 72 yards rushing, with 3 sacks allowed) that could be a tall order. Thomas is listed as questionable with a hamstring injury, and Dolphins fans better hope he is well enough to play, as fellow RB Reggie Bush is sporting a 3.0 yards/carry average this season.

When New York has the ball: Miami will likely get CB Vontae Davis, DE Tony McDaniel and LB Koa Misi back from injury, and they will need all three in order to stop Jets QB Mark Sanchez. Sanchez continues to improve, upping his completion percentage and yards/per game for the second straight year. He has had to carry the load on offense, with the Jets' rushing attack next to last in the NFL in yardage.

Shonn Greene and LaDainian Tomlinson have yet to live up to their laurels, combining to average 3.3 yards per carry. One potentially bad sign for the Dolphins: New York's leading receiver is TE Dustin Keller, and the Dolfans are still having flashbacks from the Patriots' tight ends breakout performance in Miami in Week 1.

Who has the edge?
Like Miami, New York has seen its offense hit a wall in the early part of the season. Unlike Miami, New York still has its starting quarterback and its defense that doesn't trip over its own feet every third play. If Miami can force Sanchez into some poor decisions early, then the Dolphins could eke out a win. But the Dolphins have done little to inspire confidence this season, and that probably won't change tonight.

Counterproductive but specific goal of the week: "Hopefully I get kicked out in the second quarter." -Brandon Marshall

The pick: Jets 27-Dolphins 13

Details: Miami Dolphins (0-4) at New York Jets (2-3)
TV: ESPN, 8:30 p.m., Mike Tirico, Ron Jaworski, Jon Gruden
Line: Jets by 7
Previously: Dolphins won 10-6 at New York in 2010

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