5 Bold Predictions for New York Jets' Week 13 Matchup
The New York Jets were thoroughly embarrassed by the Buffalo Bills in front of a Detroit crowd in Week 12.
Gang Green shrank under the bright lights of an impromptu Monday Night Football game, and the Jets are back to play in the prime-time slot in another Monday night game.
The Miami Dolphins visit MetLife Stadium with playoff aspirations in the first matchup between these divisional rivals.
The Dolphins are much like the Jets’ previous opponent. They have a solid defense paired with an offense that isn’t flashy but capable of scoring points in critical situations.
Here are five bold predictions for the Jets-Dolphins matchup.
Geno Smith Throws Three Interceptions
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Don’t let 10-of-12 with 89 passing yards during garbage time against the Buffalo Bills fool you. Geno Smith is still a remedial quarterback who was benched after throwing three interceptions in the first quarter of Week 8.
In a larger sampling against the Dolphins, fans will be reminded why Michael Vick was inserted into the lineup. Smith is facing a stingy pass defense that allows 211.7 yards per game. Miami only has 10 interceptions thus far, but Smith has thrown 10 interceptions in nine games.
The former second-round pick must get reacclimated with his wide receivers. To make matters worse, Rex Ryan isn’t optimistic about tight end Jace Amaro’s availability for Monday night, per ESPN New York reporter Rich Cimini.
Smith, who is turnover-prone, will be at the helm of a sluggish offense, leading to another multi-interception game.
Geno Smith Starts but Doesn’t Finish
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Smith will try to put a stronghold on the starting position, and his efforts will accomplish the complete opposite. After throwing multiple picks, he will be sent to the bench and replaced by Matt Simms.
Vick won’t be 100 percent, and Smith’s continued struggles won’t give the Jets any other choice but to play an unproven talent. Simms isn’t the savior, but he’s a relief from Smith, who is a turnover machine.
Expect audible boos at MetLife Stadium until Ryan has to pull the plug on Smith for the game and likely this season.
Jets Fail to Score a Touchdown
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The Dolphins have held five out of six of their last opponents under 17 points. New York is far from a juggernaut on offense. This season, Gang Green has failed to score a touchdown on two occasions. Expect a third end-zone shutout against a top-10 defense.
New York will be reduced to a one-dimensional offense by halftime. Offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg will likely abandon the rushing attack to score points in the second half.
The Jets come into the game with the fifth-most rushing yards, but an insurmountable lead will take Chris Ivory and Chris Johnson out of the game on the ground.
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Dolphins Rush for 100-Plus Yards
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The Dolphins have quietly put together a solid rushing attack without Knowshon Moreno.
Running back Lamar Miller has re-emerged as an effective primary ball-carrier. He’s averaging 61.2 rushing yards per game. Backup running back Daniel Thomas and quarterback Ryan Tannehill will push the total over 100 yards.
New York’s interior rush defense has been a strength this season, but Tannehill’s read-option play adds another wrinkle to the rushing attack. The former Texas A&M wide receiver drafted as Miami’s quarterback in 2012 has shown his capabilities as an efficient ball-carrier.
Gang Green will also have to make up for the loss of a substantial piece of its interior defense. Muhammad Wilkerson is expected to miss the game with a toe injury, per Cimini.
Consecutive Divisional Blowout Losses
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The Jets' season has already been tumultuous. Every week, the seats for general manager John Idzik, Coach Ryan and the entire coaching staff get warmer.
New York’s offense lacks a viable quarterback, and the defense cannot even stop a mediocre offense. The performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers was obviously a blip—don’t ignore the trends.
The Jets have only eclipsed 225 passing yards once this entire season, per Pro-Football-Reference. New York is ranked 29th in total offense and averages 16.1 points per game. The defense has a minus-12 turnover differential and is dead-last in the league in forcing turnovers with seven.
The aforementioned statistics paint a story of the Jets' season in a nutshell.
When Vick was named starting quarterback, the team retained some pizzazz, but Smith's return to the lineup has deflated the locker room. Even Smith’s teammates expressed they were surprised by the switch at quarterback. However, if you read in between the lines, it sounds like a bit of disappointment, per NJ.com reporter Darryl Slater:
"I just didn't see us flip-flopping," right guard Willie Colon said. "I just figured Vick was going to kind of ride us out. It just is what it is."
Colon said he was "just thrown off-guard" when he learned in Wednesday morning's team meeting that Smith would start next Monday night against Miami.
"Yeah, it was a surprise," said running back Chris Johnson, who added that he did not find out Smith was the starter until he saw him getting first-team snaps at Wednesday's practice. "I've just never really seen it go like that, but things change. I've never really seen it go like: starter getting benched, then the backup coming in, and then a couple games, then the original starter comes back. I've just never seen it like that.
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The feelings of uncertainty in the locker room and the perceived lack of direction from management will spill out onto the field Monday. The Jets will be routed in another embarrassing blowout, which will send Gang Green to rock bottom.
Prediction: Miami 30, New York 6
Unless otherwise noted, all advanced statistics provided by ESPN.com
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