It’s the battle of losers on “Monday Night Football” as the winless New York Jets head down to south beach to play the 0-3 Miami Dolphins.
This comes after a gut wrenching loss to Tampa Bay for the Jets. In that game, New York trailed 23-6 in the fourth quarter. When they then came all the way back after a heroic blocked field goal by Will McDonald IV who returned it for a touchdown to take a 27-26 lead.
Unfortunately, for the Jets, their defense could not stop Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield as he drove his team down the field, setting up a game winning field goal, which put the Jets down 29-27 and sent them to 0-3.
New York continues to look for their first win of the season now against an AFC East division rival. The good news about this game is someone is finally going to get a win unless by some miracle they tie.
After missing last game, Justin Fields is officially cleared and ready to go for Monday Night. On paper, the Jets offense should feast against this Miami Dolphins defense. Miami is 28th in run defense and 21st against the pass. They have not been good this year so far, so Breece Hall and Garrett Wilson should be able to produce big days.
The Jets need to get their running game back on track. After a huge first week these last two games they have been non-existent in the run game. This is the team to play to get that running game going.
Miami as well don’t have anyone that can match up with Wilson. Fields will have to be poised and ready to go because Wilson will get open. Based on how Miami has performed, there is really no excuse for the Jets offense not to have a productive day. These are the type of games where Fields has to prove himself as a capable starting quarterback. You have to be able to beat up on bad defenses.
Now on the other hand, Miami’s offense will probably eat as well against this Jets defense. New York’s defense hasn’t been able to stop anyone. Their secondary has gotten lit up through three weeks. With no signs of any progress, Tyreek Hill, and Jaylen Waddle should produce big days, that is if Tua Tagovailoa shows up to have a good game.
As he hasn’t been that good to start the season so once again if there was a time for New York’s defense to step up and play well it would be against the Dolphins. The Jets did add to their secondary this week as well, trading for Jarvis Brownlee Jr. from the Tennessee Titans. Brownlee Jr, is seen as a young prospect who grades well in run defense for defensive backs.
How much of an impact will he have for New York? That is yet to be seen but at least this new regime is making moves trying to improve this team during the season.
New York has lost two games by one score, off of game-winning field goals. This team isn’t as far off as it seems and are not 0-3 bad. They’re playing much better than their record shows. New York just hasn’t been able to close these games out in large part due to their defense. This is a game they can absolutely win, but these teams are probably around the same level so it’s not a give me game. The Jets will have to show up and be ready to go if they want to win this one.
Miami is a team though, that is on a downward spiral meanwhile New York is a team with a new regime looking to transcend. So when you put that into perspective this is a game this new regime in coach Aaron Glenn needs to win. The Jets have to play good and steal this game on the road. If they lose this one then the reality might be that this team is simply just a two or three win team.
New York has to have this one, they need to get the running game back on track. Fields has to deliver, and the defense needs to finally show up and make crucial stops.
