Jets at Dolphins -- Week 3
Where: Sun Life Stadium, Miami Gardens, Fla. (natural grass, outdoors)
When: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS)
Spread: Jets by 2.5
Forecast: Chance of thunderstorms. Temperature in the mid-80s.
Records: Jets (Overall: 1-1, AFC East: 1-0); Dolphins (Overall: 1-1, AFC East: 0-0)
Past results: Two most recent meetings -- Jan. 1, 2012: Jets 17, Dolphins 19; Oct. 17, 2011: Jets 24, Dolphins 6. Series record: Jets lead 48-43-1.
What matters: The Jets' tackling against the Steelers went awry. It was attributed to poor technique on certain plays. This needs to be tightened up against Miami or RB Reggie Bush will make it a very long day for them.
Who matters: QB Mark Sanchez will have to have a better game than he did against the Steelers. He needs to be able to spread the ball around and make better decisions on his checkdowns. QB Tim Tebow and the wildcat remain in the spotlight, especially returning to face the team where offensive coordinator Tony Sparano implemented it during his tenure in South Beach. Tebow has rushed a total of six times for 33 yards in two games. If Darrelle Revis plays, all eyes will be on him to see if he is truly back to 100 percent. The Dolphins will have to decide if they’re going to risk throwing in his direction.
Key matchups: Dolphins RB Bush vs. the Jets front seven. Bush had 172 yards in Week 2 against the Raiders. Bush has taken over the featured back role and the defense will have to be on point as he can run up the middle or around the edge.
Injuries of note: It appears the Jets will get CB Darrelle Revis back after recovering from a concussion suffered against the Bills. TE Dustin Keller, who suffered a hamstring injury in Week 1 against the Bills may return Sunday after missing the Steelers game in Week 2. LB Bryan Thomas remains questionable, still battling a hamstring injury that he suffered during the game against Buffalo.
Inside stuff: Miami was the site of the team’s final meltdown of the 2011 season. WR Santonio Holmes, already at loggerheads with QB Mark Sanchez, got into an argument with then RT Wayne Hunter and then ended up on the bench for the end of the game -- which the Jets lost by two points, knocking them out of the playoffs. Holmes and Sanchez
say they have mended fences, and Holmes says he “doesn’t even remember that game.”
Connections: Sparano was the head coach of the Dolphins from 2008-2011; S Yeremiah Bell played for the Dolphins from 2004 – 2011; WR Clyde Gates was selected by the Dolphins in the 4th round of the 2011 draft; TE Dedrick Epps was with the Dolphins in 2010.
Stat you should know: Bush is second in the league in rushing yards. He has 241 yards and is averaging six yards per carry. In contrast, Jets RB Shonn Greene is
21st with 117 yards and 3.1 yards per carry.
Record watch: LB Calvin Pace needs one sack for a career total of 40. LB David Harris needs 0.5 sacks for a career total of 20. CB Revis needs one interception for a career total of 20. TE Dustin Keller needs two touchdowns to pass Johnny Mitchell for fifth on the
all-time list for most receiving TDs by a TE. He needs three touchdowns to pass Anthony Becht for fourth place. Keller has 17 touchdowns.
Looking ahead: If the Jets beat Miami it would not only make them 2-1, but they would be 2-0 in the division. The Jets have their hands full after that as they come home to face the 49ers and Texans in Weeks 4 and 5, respectively. Both teams are 2-0.
Prediction: Jets 24, Dolphins 21
Stay dialed in on the New York Jets by following correspondent Lisa Zimmerman on Twitter @CBSJets and @LisaZimmerman.
