The Miami Dolphins have nothing but pride to play for in the final week of a dreadful NFL season, but they do have an added incentive on New Year's Day. Beat the hated New York Jets, and the Dolphins can assure that the Jets will have to watch the playoffs at home just like they will.

That, plus a chance to send franchise hero Jason Taylor into retirement with a win at home, will provide the emotional motivation for a Dolphins squad that so badly wants to finish the season with a win.

Not that the Jets don't have their own reasons to finish strong. A win still might not get them into the playoffs -- they need help from several other teams Sunday for that -- but New York would nonetheless like some momentum heading into the offseason following a late-season swoon that has humbled normally bombastic coach Rex Ryan.

When the Dolphins have the ball: Dolphins QB Matt Moore does not have any fond memories from his first appearance against the Jets this season. Making his first start for injured Chad Henne, Moore completed less than half his passes and threw two interceptions to the Jets' Pro Bowl CB, Darrelle Revis. One of those was returned 100 yards for a touchdown.

But Moore has improved his play in the second half of the season, albeit against weaker competition. The Jets boast the NFL's 5th-best pass defense, and their 29 turnovers (including fumbles) are 6th-best in the league. Revis may get the benefit of the doubt at times from officials, but he and Antonio Cromartie don't give up many big plays.

The Jets are more suspect in the rushing game, giving up 113 yards per game (which places them squarely in the middle of the pack). Reggie Bush and Daniel Thomas combined for 118 yards on 25 carries against New York in October, but Bush will be out with a knee injury. This will give Thomas one last shot to redeem what has been a lackluster rookie season.

When the Jets have the ball: New York's love affair with pretty boy QB Mark Sanchez has soured this season. No longer the poise-tastic clutch performer, Sanchez' struggles in 2011 have many wondering whether the Jets will move to acquire Peyton Manning or another veteran signal-caller during the offseason.

Sanchez is actually performing slightly better in most statistical categories than he did during his first two seasons, though, and the disappointment has more to do with the team's record than anything else. What Sanchez has been missing is a go-to receiver. WRs Plaxico Burress and Santonio Holmes have been inconsistent.

The Jets' biggest weapon on offense has been RB Shonn Greene, but he has not seen enough opportunities to make a difference, averaging only 16 carries a game. The Dolphins will look to keep Greene in check, in hopes that the Jets will be forced to depend on Sanchez. If he attempts more than 40 passes, then there's a good chance the Dolphins will win.

Who has the edge? The Jets are the better team on paper, but Miami had plenty of red zone opportunities in the teams' last meeting, suggesting the two are not that far off. Having lost two straight by double digits, the Jets simply may not have any fight left in them. Even with a (slim) chance to make the playoffs, New York might not be able to match the Dolphins' energy, as the team tries to close a tumultuous season with a win in front of the home faithful.

Fan uprising quote of the week: "Mr. Ross: Save Our Dolphins, Fire Ireland" -- a fan-financed banner that will fly overhead at Sun Life Stadium before Sunday's kickoff

The Pick: Dolphins 16, Jets 13

Details: New York Jets (8-7) at Miami Dolphins (5-10)
TV: CBS, 1 p.m., Greg Gumbel, Dan Dierdorf
Line: Miami by 1.5
Previously: New York won 24-6 in Week 6