Jets vs. Dolphins: Could it be a trap game in Week 2?

The New York Jets are coming off a big Week 1 win over the Detroit Lions but could their Week 2 home opener against the Miami Dolphins be a trap game?

The New York Jets are heading into a home opener against the Miami Dolphins, and there is more optimism in East Rutherford, NJ than there has been in years. Sam Darnold won his first game in the NFL, and people are starting to talk. The Jets are the favorite in this one, which is not necessarily a good thing.

Let us go all the way back to 2001. The Jets were 9-5 and coming off back to back wins. The 2-12 Buffalo Bills were heading into town, and the Jets had a chance to clinch a playoff spot. Coming in as 7 point favorites, the Jets were flat all day, highlighted by a two-interception performance by a 38-year-old Vinny Testaverde.

They went on to lose 14-9 and had to wait until the next week in Oakland to clinch that spot. As the 6 seed, they were forced to play Oakland again on the road in the first week of the playoffs, which ended the Jets season.

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More recently, there was a similar letdown game in 2015, the last game of the 2015 season. ‘Fitzmagic’ was in full effect, as the Jets were coming off a statement win in overtime against the visiting New England Patriots.

The Jets were favored by three points heading into Buffalo, were a win away from a playoff berth. The Jets could not overcome an early Buffalo lead and fell flat. They missed on the playoffs for the 5th season in a row.

Back to the present, this Week 2 matchup has the makings of a typical trap game for the Jets. This is a potential statement game, but it will not come easy.

Although there are no playoff berths on the line in this one, these are the types of games that can propel a young team like there is no tomorrow. These are the games the Jets will need to win to change the culture, to end the mantra forever known as the “Same Old Jets.”

Jamal Adams is already talking about it:

The Culture has CHANGED!! I've been telling y'all… the Jets are DIFFERENT this year. This is just the beginning! pic.twitter.com/exXeJko1qX

— Jamal Adams (@TheAdamsEra) September 11, 2018

Coming off of a Week 1 win, these Miami Dolphins are not highly touted, but there is a lot of talent on this team. Ryan Tannehill is back and looking in sync with top option Kenny Stills. Pro Bowl safety Reshad Jones had two picks in the opener and is looking to build off that performance.

The Jets rallied behind their rookie quarterback Sam Darnold in Week 1, quickly moving on from an early pick-six on his first throw by playing stifling defense. The offense followed up with some success of their own, to the tune of more than 350 total yards. Darnold was in rhythm with wide receiver Quincy Enunwa all night, and I look for this to continue in Week 2.

It will take a full team effort to beat the hungry division rival Dolphins, but these new-look Jets are up for the task. I am picking the Jets to shake off their demons of the past, and come away with a win in a close one with the final score of Jets 27, Dolphins 24.