A December tradition has returned, as two NFL teams are set to face on a Saturday for the first time this season when the Dolphins (8-5) and Jets (4-9) squaring off in an AFC East battle featuring two unexpected quarterbacks under center.
The Dolphins have started Ryan Tannehill in every game since making him the eighth overall pick in 2012 draft, and his game has reached a new level in 2016 under coach Adam Gase. Tannehill has posted career highs in completion percentage and net yards per pass attempt under Gase's watch, and he'll finish with a winning percentage above .500 for the first time in his career after spraining ligaments in his knee in last week's win over the Cardinals.
Enter Matt Moore. The veteran took over after Tannehill's Week 14 injury and led the Dolphins on a game-winning field goal drive, hooking up twice with Kenny Stills to get him team within rage for the winning score. He has the experience to not be overwhelmed on the road in this matchup, and though he hasn't seen much action in recent years, he's 13-12 as a starter in his career and should have no problem executing whatever gameplan Gase and his crew will look to implement against the Jets.
Speaking of Gang Green, the Jets started the season with Ryan Fitzpatrick at the helm of the offense and hopes of a playoff appearance in after last year's 10-6 campaign. But Fitzpatrick quickly turned into a pumpkin, going 2-8 as starter and putting up one of the ugliest games the NFL has seen in a long time in Week 3, when he threw six interceptions in a 24-3 loss to the Chiefs.
With the Jets going nowhere fast, they made a permanent change at quarterback last week, giving Bryce Petty his second start of the season. The result? A come-from-behind 23-17 win in overtime on the road against the 49ers. Petty gets three more games to make his case to be the team's quarterback of the present and the future, but barring an exceptional run, the team is likely to look outside the organization at the position during the offseason.
With such upheaval at quarterback for both sides, this could very well be a ground-and-pound game on both sides. The Jets gained 188 yards on the ground in last week's overtime win, but they also surrendered 248 rushing yards to the 49ers in the win. If they don't buckle down on Saturday, Jay Ajayi, aka The J Train, aka The Miami Ground Machine, could run wild, keeping Moore from having to convert long third downs with his arm.
If the Dolphins hope to keep their shot at the playoffs alive, they'll need Moore, Ajayi and their offense to find success at MetLife Stadium. Ryan Tannehill isn't walking through that door -- at least, not yet.
How to Watch
- What: Miami Dolphins vs. New York Jets
- When: Saturday, Dec. 17, 8:25 p.m. ET
- Where: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J.
- TV: NFL Network
- Streaming: Verizon NFL Mobile App
- Online: NFL Game Pass (available to watch online after midnight)
- Odds: The Dolphins are 2.5-point favorites, according to SportsLine.
Injury report
Dolphins
- QB Ryan Tannehill (Knee) -- Out
- S Isa Abdul-Quddus (Neck) -- Questionable
- OT Branden Albert (Wrist) -- Questionable
- LB Kiko Alonso (Hamstring, Hand) -- Questionable
- G Jermon Bushrod (Shoulder) -- Questionable
- LB Jelani Jenkins (Knee, Hand) -- Questionable
- CB Bobby McCain (Hand) -- Questionable
- LB Spencer Paysinger (Thigh) -- Questionable
- C Anthony Steen (Foot) -- Questionable
- DE Mario Williams (Ankle) -- Questionable
Jets
- LB Mike Catapano (Knee) -- Out
- LB Lorenzo Mauldin (Ankle) -- Out
- DT Steve McLendon (Hamstring) -- Out
- CB Buster Skrine (Concussion) -- Out
- OL Brent Qvale (Hamstring) -- Doubtful
- RB Khiry Robinson (Leg) -- Doubtful
- TE Brandon Bostick (Ankle) -- Questionable
- WR Quincy Enunwa (Ribs) -- Questionable
- RB Matt Forte (Knee) -- Questionable
- WR Brandon Marshall (Knee, Foot, Back) -- Questionable
- DE Muhammad Wilkerson (Ankle) -- Questionable
Prisco's Pick
The Dolphins will start Matt Moore here for the injured Ryan Tannehill. He is capable of winning here, but the Jets will be focused against their rivals. Even so, I don't see Bryce Petty beating the Dolphins -- even at home.
Pick: Dolphins 21, Jets 17