Dolphins vs. Jets: TV Schedule, Live Stream, Spread Info, Game Time and More

One of the oldest and most intense rivalries in the NFL gets renewed this Sunday, as the Miami Dolphins make the trek up north to take on their AFC East rivals, the New York Jets. 

Because the AFC East looks so pedestrian this season, the Dolphins at 3-3 are actually in this race. It might not last all year, but give credit where it is due to the coaching staff and players for doing much better than anyone predicted before the season began. 

The Jets have been a lightning rod for controversy basically since the preseason, when the offense looked completely lost. For all their faults, they enter this game at 3-4, one game behind New England for the division lead. Hope is not completely lost, at least right now. 

Where: MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.

When: Sunday, Oct. 28 at 1:00 p.m. ET

Watch: CBS

Live Stream: NFL.com Game Rewind; DirecTV NFL Sunday Ticket (Subscriptions Required for Both)

Betting Line: New York Jets (-1), according to Bovada

Miami Injury Report (via CBS Sports)

PLAYER	INJURY	STATUS
RB Daniel Thomas	Concussion	Undisclosed
DB Richard Marshall	Back	Undisclosed

New York Injury Report (via ESPN)

PLAYER	INJURY	STATUS
S Eric Smith	Knee	Questionable
RB Bilal Powell	Shoulder	Out
WR Clyde Gates	Shoulder	Out
DT Kenrick Ellis	Knee	Out
RB Joe McKnight	Ankle	Questionable
RB Shonn Greene	Head	Probable
TE Jeff Cumberland	Hand	Out

What's at Stake?

Whatever playoff hopes either team has could be on the line this week. The Dolphins have looked good the last two weeks, particularly the defense. The competition hasn't been great, but the Jets aren't exactly lighting the world on fire in any phase of the game. 

The Jets just need to build some positive momentum. They are a team that takes one step forward one week then three steps back the next. They do have a victory over the Dolphins on their resume this season. 

If the Dolphins can escape this game with a 4-3 record, the schedule sets up quite nicely for them to make a little run with games against Indianapolis, Tennessee and Buffalo on the horizon. 

The Jets need to go into their bye week at .500. When they come back there are winnable games against Seattle, St. Louis and Arizona with a rematch against New England sandwiched in there. 

Fantasy Plays

Must Start: Dolphins RB Reggie Bush

While defense has been their hallmark under Rex Ryan, the Jets boast one of the worst run defenses in the NFL this season. They are giving up nearly 148 yards per game on the ground. They have also allowed eight rushing touchdowns, tied for 26th in the league. 

Bush got off to a fast start this season before a knee injury slowed him down. He has not missed a game, but his production has gone from 67 yards in Week 4 all the way down to 17 in Week 6. 

That said, if the choice is between Bush and the Jets run defense, you always go with the player with a history of producing. The Dolphins don't have a lot of offensive weapons, so they are going to keep calling Bush's number until he can't go anymore. 

Sit 'Em: Jets RB Shonn Greene

Just when you are ready to write off Greene, he runs for 161 yards against Indianapolis and has 88 total yards with a touchdown against New England. 

However, this week's matchup against the Dolphins should see the end of Greene's good fortunes. 

The Dolphins have a very good run defense. They allow just over 78 yards per game and just three rushing touchdowns in six games. 

Combine that with the fact the Jets still don't have a good offensive line, and you are going to see the Greene who was averaging 2.5 yards per carry in the first three weeks of the season. 

Sleeper: Jets WR Jeremy Kerley

Kerley might be the best-kept secret in fantasy football right now. A lot of that has to do with the fact that Mark Sanchez is his quarterback, but it is time that people started paying attention to what Kerley is doing. 

Through seven games, Kerley has just 25 catches but is averaging 17.4 yards per reception with two touchdowns. He also has nine receptions of at least 20 yards already. He is the only big-play threat on a team devoid of playmakers. 

Plus, the Dolphins' secondary ranks 28th in the league. There are plenty of yards to be had against them. They do tighten up in the red zone, as they clustered with a group of five teams who have allowed just seven passing touchdowns this season. 

Still, if you need big-play potential and a lot of yards, Kerley is a safe option this weekend against a bad pass defense. 

What They Are Saying

Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin appeared to be entering a bad situation, as there was no trust between what ownership and the fans. Yet, he has managed to put any controversy aside and get the team to play well. 

But for all the kudos being heaped upon the Dolphins for their 3-3 start, Philbin said (via Twitter) at his weekly press conference this week that he sees a lot more in store for this team. 

"

"I see us playing better than we were early in the season, no question," Philbin said. "But we're certainly not where we need to be."

— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) October 22, 2012"

You would expect a coach to say that, though I think if you caught Philbin in an honest moment he would tell you the Dolphins are exceeding expectations right now. 

Dolphins Player to Watch: QB Ryan Tannehill

For all the guff the Dolphins caught for taking Tannehill with their first pick, the rookie quarterback looks like he is getting more and more comfortable in the NFL. 

After throwing at least one interception in three of the team's first four games, Tannehill has done a great job of avoiding the turnover in his last two games before the bye. 

The Jets will provide a challenge because their secondary is still very good, even without Darrelle Revis. 

Tannehill's progress was the biggest issue facing the Dolphins this season. So far, the results have been encouraging. 

Jets Player to Watch: QB Mark Sanchez

Another quarterback, I know, but Sanchez is always such a fascinating character to study week after week. 

When the Jets are going bad, all the blame falls squarely on his shoulders. Some of it is deserved, but last week's fumble that wound up being the final play of overtime against New England was as much the result of bad protection as it was anything he did. 

This would appear to be the kind of game that Sanchez can have a good week and silence some of the critics for a few days, as the Dolphins have struggled to defend the pass virtually all season. 

Key Matchup: Jets Offensive Line vs. Dolphins Defensive Line

The battle in the trenches is where most games are won. The Jets struggle to move the ball on offense because of a lack of protection up front. Sanchez rarely has time to drop back and find receivers down the field. The backs don't have holes to hit because they aren't there. 

The Dolphins succeed on defense because their line is able to close holes quickly to prevent big runs. They also get after the quarterback quite well; they are tied for ninth in the NFL with 18 sacks. 

In a war of attrition, the first side to crack is always the one that loses. Will it be the Jets offensive line or Dolphins defensive line?

Prediction

This can easily be a trap game if you are making a bet. The Dolphins don't look that bad, while the Jets tend to look crummy. However, when you add in the fact the Dolphins have to travel to a hostile environment against a division rival who shows a lot of guts week after week, there is only one clear way to go. 

Jets 24, Dolphins 20

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