Scouting the NY Jets Week 15 opponent: Miami Dolphins

Make it 11. The NY Jets dropped their game to the New Orleans Saints by a score of 30-9. The loss continues a streak that the Jets, themselves, have held previously. For the 11th-straight season, New York has been officially eliminated from playoff contention.

This shouldn’t come as a surprise to the Jets fan who knew this season was mainly about developing the rookie quarterback and reigning in the fresh, new head coach.

To the Jets fan who is exhausted of being on the forefront of embarrassment for the good part of those eleven years, we continue to hope for the best. This season hasn’t completely lost its meaning, though, as there are still four games remaining on the 2021-22 schedule.

The Jets are set to travel to Miami to take on the Dolphins. The Dolphins, who are currently riding a five-game win streak, look to continue their momentum come Sunday against the Jets. New York is a team that is constantly looking for some sign of optimism to ride into the following week.

That sign of optimism wasn’t so apparent following the team’s loss to New Orleans. The Saints were able to control the line-of-scrimmage for the majority of the afternoon, especially on offense, where running back Alvin Kamara rushed for 120 yards on the ground.

The NY Jets are getting healthier ahead of Week 15

The Jets should be receiving a boost to their pass-rush this week with the return of Bryce Huff. Huff, who was placed on injured reserve back on November 4th, should provide some much-needed depth to a position that was considered one of the team’s strengths heading into the season.

With Miami’s strong use of the run-pass option (RPO), Huff, along with the rest of the Jets’ defensive line, needs to be prepared for what’s likely on tap.

It’s not only Huff that the Jets are expected to get back this week. Running back Michael Carter (ankle) and cornerback Michael Carter II (concussion) are both expected back in the lineup for Gang Green. Tight end Tyler Kroft (chest) and running back Tevin Coleman (concussion) are also slated to return.

The Jets are getting healthier ahead of Sunday’s contest against Miami. It may end up being the opposite for the Dolphins. According to multiple reports, three of Miami’s running backs may be in jeopardy of missing this Week 15 bout.

The newly acquired Phillip Lindsay was the latest player reported to be placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list, along with Myles Gaskin and Salvon Ahmed.

This is noteworthy if you’re the Jets. Miami was able to establish the run against New York back in Week 11, most notably was running back Myles Gaskin. He was able to rally 89 yards on 23 carries on the ground.

Another player that the Jets should be on the lookout for is wide receiver Jaylen Waddle. Waddle has been taking the league by storm. He is just behind Bengals' receiver Ja'Marr Chase in receiving yards with 849, and leads all rookies in receptions with 86.

Waddle often lines up in the slot. Michael Carter II will likely have his hands full in his first game back from sustaining a head injury. However, Waddle has since tested positive for COVID-19 and might be unavailable for this week's matchup.

Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will look to build upon his impressive performance that he had against the Jets just four weeks ago, recording 273 yards passing and two touchdowns.

We’ll see if defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich can successfully scheme against Tua’s strengths, and expose his weaknesses.

Quarterback Zach Wilson will most certainly be one to watch throughout this one. The rookie has struggled with his consistency on Sundays — a get-right game could be on the horizon against the 22nd-ranked team in yards-per-game allowed (358.4).

Wilson wasn’t available four weeks ago when the Jets first faced the Dolphins this season. This will be the first time in Wilson’s young career that he’ll goes face-to-face with Miami.

Let’s hope the young gunslinger can make the first one count.