Early Thoughts on Miami Dolphins vs. New York Jets: Stop Mike Wallace

Nov 24, 2013; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Mike Wallace (11) hands the ball to a fan after scoring a touchdown pass against the Carolina Panthers in the first quarter of a game at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

The “Road to MetLife Stadium” continues on Sunday afternoon, as the New York Jets host their southern rivals, the Miami Dolphins, for their first matchup of the season, from MetLife Stadium. Both teams enter week 13 coming off of a loss, the Dolphins in a 20-16 battle with the Panthers, and the Jets…well we know all about that.

Thinking about this game here on Wednesday, we know the Jets have had their troubles with the Dolphins. The Jets have come into the game as the better team on paper, but having trouble on the field. The Jets have actually never swept the season series in the Rex Ryan era. Oh, they have been swept, but the best they have come out with is a split.

There is one matchup to watch out for in this one. It’s not the running game of Miami, as no team has been able to run against the Jets. However, the Jets have had their most difficulty in the passing game on defense, especially against the long ball.

Enter Mike Wallace.

When you look at his whole season, to date it has actually been quite pedestrian. Through 11 games, Mike has posted 49 receptions for 661 yards and two touchdowns. Looking at that by itself, sounds like a guy that the Jets should be able to keep in front of them.

But Wallace is heating up, and that is not a good prospect for the New York Jets. Last week, against the Panthers, Wallace caught five passes for 127 yards and one touchdown, his long going for 57 yards. For anyone not doing the math, that goes for over 25 yards per catch. Has anyone seen the Jets’ deep pass defense in 2013? Me neither, because it ISN’T THERE. This is not what we need on Sunday.

Whether it is Antonio Cromartie, who left the game on Sunday, or Darrin Walls, or whomever else, they are going to have to get physical with this guy. We have been saying it all year-long, enough with the free releases. Maul this guy for the five yard cushion they are allowed.

If this guy gets behind the defense on Sunday, it could get ugly. One deep bomb has killed us on more than one occasion, and Mike Wallace could take us to 5-7 all by himself.