New York Jets vs. Miami Dolphins: Sunday NFL Weather Report

Dec 1, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets running back Chris Ivory (33) is tackled by Miami Dolphins defensive end Cameron Wake (91) in the first half during the game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

This is it… Week 17 in the NFL for the New York Jets; otherwise known as retribution week. Gang Green pays a visit to South Beach and a date with the Miami Dolphins.

According to the National Weather Service, this what the weather could be once the ball is kicked off at 1 p.m. at Sun Life Stadium:

“A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 83. Breezy, with a south wind 11 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.”

Basically this game could be a mess with the weather.

I know that I’m not a meteorologist and I don’t play one on TV so yes, I know that I got it wrong for the Jets final home game in regards to the rain so it could be wrong for Sunday. However, this is Florida so you never know.

If it does rain, this is going to scream for a game plan of run first, pass second day.

In that particular instance, advantage Jets. According to NFL.com, the Jets are ranked sixth in the league in rushing yards average per game with 4.4 (133.6 yards per game).  Bilal Powell (155 carries, 621 yards, 4.0 average, 1 TD*) and Chris Ivory (177 carries, 814 yards, 4.6 average, 3 TDs*) both have had really good seasons for this team despite the inconsistency of the offensive line. HOWEVER, the Dolphins are 8th in the league (NFL.com) in rushing defense with 4.2 yards average. The offensive line had a very solid game last week and allowed the backs to rush for over 200 yards in the game. Now it’s time to do it again.

This game is going to determine a lot for Geno Smith. What I think is that no matter what happens in this game, the front office is going to look for a QB, but this game I believe will determine in which way they will go. If the good Geno comes out, I believe they will look for a veteran that could compete for the job. If the bad Geno comes out, then you’ll see the front office will go for a rookie.

And it’s time for the defense to be consistent again. You have the third best rush defense in the NFL (Gang Green, courtesy of NFL.com) versus the 26th ranked rush team in Miami (NFL.com: 4.1 average, 89.9 yards per game). Remember, this is the same Dolphins squad that this Jets defense gave up 456 total yards to back in week 13. That front seven needs to continue being stout and show why they are the number 3 rush defense in the league. The Dolphins are the 20th best passing team in the NFL (NFL.com) for a reason. Mike Wallace, Brian Hartline, and Charles Clay are solid weapons for Ryan Tannehill.  So that back four can’t let these guys run wild: Antonio Cromartie, Dee Milliner, Kyle Wilson, Antonio Allen, Ed Reed and company need have a great game.

Let’s call a spade a spade here: The Dolphins need this game desperately to get into the playoffs. But they need a lot of help; how many of you would like to see the Jets get some retribution and knock the fish out? Put your hands up because you know you do.

My prediction for the game is the Jets will win but this game will be down and gritty. The Fish will be fillet.