New York Jets vs. Miami Dolphins: Spread Info, Line and Predictions

The New York Jets are heading down to Miami to take on the Dolphins and are hoping to pull out a victory and keep their playoff hopes alive.

They will need a win here and then a Cincinnati Bengals loss, Tennessee Titans loss and either an Oakland Raiders or Denver Broncos loss as well.

It’s a long shot, but they won’t roll over and quit so look for this to be an exciting game to cap off the regular season.

Where: Sun Life Stadium, Miami, FL

When: Sunday, Jan. 1 at 1:00 p.m. EDT

Watch: CBS

Spread: Dolphins -2.5

While the trends say take Miami, as they have won seven of their last eight against the spread, you have to go with the Jets here.

The last time these two met, Rex Ryan’s boys beat up on the Fish, 24-6. That’s the most telling stat and this Miami team isn’t much better than they were back then—they just finally earned some wins.

Ignore the Jets' road struggles and take them on the moneyline in a game they need to win if they even want a shot at making the postseason.

Over/Under: 41

Over is the play here. Sure, it went under in their first matchup, but don’t expect the same results here.

These teams both possess mediocre defenses and have seen enough tape by now to figure out each other’s weaknesses.

Look for each side to exploit the other’s problem areas and score around the mid-20s apiece.

Key Injuries (via ESPN)

Jets

QB Mark Sanchez—PRB (Shoulder)

WR Santonio Holmes—PRB (Hip)

RB Shonn Greene—PRB (Ribs)

RB LaDainian Tomlinson—PRB (Quad)

Dolphins

WR Brandon Marshall—QST (Knee)

RB Reggie Bush—QST (Knee)

TE Anthony Fasano—QST (Concussion)

OT Jake Long—OUT (IR)

RB Daniel Thomas—QST (Knee)

Fantasy Big Plays

Santonio Holmes: Before failing to reach the end zone against the Giants on Christmas Eve, Santonio had scored in his previous four games.

While his reception numbers have been poor this season, he’s always a threat to score and break a big play.

Reggie Bush: IF Bush is active, you have to start him this week against a struggling rush defense that ranks No. 22 in the league. He’s been breaking 100-yard games left and right and scoring TDs and catching passes. What more do you need?

Keys to Jets Win

Mark Sanchez needs to play well in order for the Jets to win. He’s supposed to be a game manager and put his team in position to win, but he’s regressed in that aspect this season.

He has thrown 15 interceptions and given away four fumbles so far and is a big reason the Jets have very little chance of making the postseason.

Keys to Dolphins Win

The Dolphins are going to need some of their questionable players to man up and take the field if they want to win. If they are going to go without Bush, Marshall, Fasano and Thomas, the odds of them picking up a win are slim.

At least one of the RBs needs to play, and Marshall, who had a huge game in the first contest between these teams, will also be needed out on the field Sunday.

Prediction

The Jets need this game more than the Dolphins, and Rex Ryan will not let his team fail. There is too much at stake and they need to at least have a shot at the postseason by winning here.

Jets 27, Dolphins 21