Following two disappointing weeks in a row, the Jets have a legitimate chance to get back in the win column when they travel to South Beach to take on the Dolphins in Week 9.
Miami is one of the few teams in the NFL that has been worse than New York so far this season. The Dolphins have had a couple of close calls in recent weeks, but are still searching for their first win of the season and first under head coach Brian Flores.
Sunday’s action isn’t going to be pretty, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t some intriguing bits to keep an eye on throughout the afternoon. With that being said, let’s take a look at some storylines fans should familiarize themselves with before kickoff.
Who’s playing linebacker for the Jets?
The Jets have been cursed with injuries at linebacker in 2019.
Avery Williamson has been out since August with a torn ACL. C.J. Mosley has barely played in his first season with New York due to a nagging groin injury. Neville Hewitt has missed the past couple of games with a stinger. Now, upstart rookie Blake Cashman is done for the year due to a torn labrum in his shoulder, leaving the Jets paper-thin at the position.
It remains to be seen if Hewitt will suit up against the Dolphins. If he doesn’t, the Jets will be left with James Burgess and a rotation of backers to fill the spot next to him. Even though Miami’s offense isn’t potent, that’s not ideal by any means when it comes to New York’s chances of winning in Week 9.
Opportunities for revenge on both sides
Both Adam Gase and Ryan Fitzpatrick will have the chance to get revenge against their former teams this weekend.
The Dolphins fired Gase after three seasons as their head coach at the end of 2018. Gase’s tenure with Miami was marred by fractured relationships with his players and a drop-off in production after leading the Dolphins to the postseason in his first season at the helm. Fitzpatrick, meanwhile, hasn’t played against the Jets since the team released him after the 2016 season.
Sunday’s game means a tad more to Gase and Fitzpatrick. One party will emerge satisfied, while the other will have to wait until in Week 14 for another chance to seek revenge.
Can Sam Darnold put together a complete game?
The past two weeks have not been pretty for Sam Darnold.
After turning in the worst performance of his life against the Patriots on Monday Night Football, Darnold started off strong against the Jaguars in Week 8, but threw three costly interceptions and did nothing to help the Jets’ late-game comeback bid against Jacksonville.
Miami’s secondary is among the worst in the NFL and doesn’t have any established playmakers other than Xavien Howard, who is on season-ending injured reserve with a knee injury. If Darnold is ever going to get back on track, this is the week for him to do it.
A potential battle for No. 1?
It’s only Week 9, but all the Jets and Dolphins have to play for at this point is position in the 2020 NFL draft.
The two teams have combined for a 1-13 record so far this season and are currently pegged to pick near the top of the draft. There’s plenty of football left to play, but the loser of Sunday’s game has a chance to be the favorite to land the No. 1 overall pick.
Although Joe Douglas and anyone else associated with the organization won’t admit it, both the Jets and Dolphins are working towards the future. Both teams have plenty of holes to fill in order to return to contender status. Whoever lands the No. 1 pick has a chance to add a potential franchise player without having to worry about any other teams picking in front of them.
