Staff predictions: Miami Dolphins (6-4) at New York Jets (0-10)
Dolphins at Jets, Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS
Latest line: Dolphins are favored by 7 points. Over/under: 44.
Dave Hyde, Sports Columnist (Season record: 4-6): Dolphins 24, Jets 17
You can’t find a better antidote for a bad Sunday in Denver than a game against the winless Jets. The Dolphins are playing to get back in the playoff hunt. The Jets are playing to get the No. 1 pick and Trevor Lawrence in the draft. The Jets aren’t just losing — they’re a whopping minus-153 in point differential. Second-worst Jacksonville is minus-96.
Omar Kelly, Dolphins Columnist (Season record: 4-6): Dolphins 24, Jets 20
The Dolphins have their backs against the wall and can’t afford any more slip ups. That means Miami needs to take care of business against a Jets team that seems to be committed to securing the first overall pick to get Trevor Lawrence. Problem is, Miami has issues on the offensive line that can’t easily be fixed, and that could become problematic.
Safid Deen, Dolphins Writer (Season record: 6-4): Dolphins 27, Jets 17
Tua Tagovailoa, if healthy, will face a Jets defense that gives up the second-most points and fifth-most yards in the NFL. He’ll have to work for it, but the Jets game should offer him a nice opportunity to bounce back after being benched last week. The Dolphins defense should do well regardless if the Jets start Sam Darnold or Joe Flacco at quarterback.
Kathy Laughlin, Sports Editor (Season record: 4-6): Dolphins 27, Jets 13
The Dolphins are seven-point favorites for good reason. The Jets (0-10) are off to their worst start in franchise history and are averaging an NFL-worst 14.9 points per game on offense. The Dolphins dominated the Jets 24-0 in their first meeting this season at Hard Rock Stadium. The Jets will finish with four wins or fewer for the 15th time since the NFL-AFL merger in 1970 and will be hard-pressed to crack the win column and match the 1996 team that finished 1-15.
Keven Lerner, Assistant Sports Editor (Season record: 5-5): Dolphins 20, Jets 17
Sam Darnold’s time with the Jets appears to be coming to an end after three disappointing seasons. The Jets, who traded up to draft him No. 3 in 2018, seem destined to land likely No. 1 pick Trevor Lawrence, Clemson’s star quarterback. Darnold has missed four of the last six games with a right shoulder injury, but is expected to return against the Dolphins. Miami should expect his best effort, but can’t lose to an 0-10 team.
Steve Svekis, Assistant Sports Editor (Season record: 5-5): Dolphins 17, Jets 16
The Dolphins’ offensive line comes off its worst performance of the season, and now loses two of its starters for the game in New Jersey. Will the Jets be able to mimic Denver and keep Tua Tagovailoa hemmed in a collapsing pocket, not allowing his favored throws after rollouts to the left side? New York has 14 sacks in its 10 games. On the other side of the line in the Denver debacle, the Broncos put forth the best run offense Miami has faced. A fusillade of Lombardi-Packers sweeps decimated Miami on the right side for 138 yards on only a dozen carries while the result was in doubt. The good news for the Dolphins is that the Jets boast a much lesser run game, having averaged — like the Dolphins — under 100 yards a game on the ground.
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