Monday, October 17, 2011

MONDAY NIGHT PREVIEW

MIAMI @ NEW YORK JETS
What was going to be a Monday night snoozer should draw some ratings after Brandon Marshall declared he needed to release his inner beast and would possibly be kicked out of the game by the second quarter.  To say the Dolphins season, one that was supposed to include a vastly improved defense and a promising young offense, has been disappointing is to say that Tom Brady has been efficient.  His job now on the line, Head Coach Tony Sparano could do a lot to help his own cause by defeating a reeling Jets team that has now lost three straight.  Running back Daniel Thomas is still questionable, and that makes second string quarterback Matt Moore’s job harder. Reggie Bush will have to shoulder a larger load, which gives him yet another opportunity to prove he can be an every-down back as he faces a Jets rushing defense yielding almost 135 yards per game.  Where the Dolphins do excel defensively, against the run as the 15th ranked defense, the Jets have been struggling.  Shonn Greene has been less than stellar, perhaps as much related to the offensive line.  They lost Alan Faneca to retirement before this season, and Damien Woody was cut and then retired as well.  Against the Dolphins’ 31st ranked defense, Mark Sanchez will again have to shoulder the responsibility of getting the ball to the multitude of weapons on a team also facing a morale issue.  Derrick Mason was exiled by Rex Ryan after the veteran receiver voiced one too many concerns with how often he was getting the ball. Santonio Holmes thought he was acting captain-like when he pointed to the team iniquities and instead found himself chomping on the bit as the team responded by essentially smacking him back.  However, not even a divided Jets team should lose this one.  Even though both quarterbacks sport career passer ratings under 74 and each has two more interceptions than touchdown passes for their career, Sanchez has too many options.  Reggie Bush can’t take enough of the game on his back to give Matt Moore some extra protection on play-action, and the Jets defense will get their share of shots on Moore, as the Dolphins’ line has yielded 14 sacks this year.
JETS 24, DOPLHINS 10   

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