Jets-Dolphins: Monday Night Football Preview

Tonight on ESPN, these two original American Football League teams will meet at Land Shark Stadium in Miami.

The Jets and the Dolphins have met close to 100 times in the regular season, providing a history and rivalry as good and intense as any in the National Football League.

Even my family has its competitive hats on tonight, as my son Russ is a huge Dolphins fan despite growing up in a Jets household. Good luck son.

Their most recent game literally tells the story of so many years. In order to reach the playoffs last year, the Jets needed to beat Miami in the last game of the season played at the Meadowlands. If Miami won, they would finish one of the greatest turnarounds in NFL history, not only winning the division but knocking the New England Patriots out of the playoffs as well.

The other main factor in this matchup was the return to the Meadowlands of former Jets quarterback Chad Pennington, who was released by the Jets upon the signing of Brett Favre. This game had all the implications of a championship-caliber game.

We all know the results. The Dolphins easily won the game, and the Jets, who at one point in time after their victory against the then-undefeated Tennessee Titans were considered the best team in the AFC, went home and ended their one-year lease with Favre.

Tonight's game has revenge written all over it, but in order for the Jets to get the job done, they are going to have to do it not being nearly at full strength.

Jerricho Cotchery, the Jets' leading receiver, is questionable for tonight's game. That would mean that even if he does play, newly acquired Braylon Edwards should see plenty of action on his side of the field.

Speaking of the new Jets "Bad Boy," the coaches have been very pleased in just the very few days since he's arrived. Coach Rex Ryan said that Braylon looked quite comfortable out there and seemed to know or be very familiar with this offensive structure.

Mark Sanchez, the Jets' rookie QB, is going to have to have a bounce-back game in order to beat this very strong defensive Dolphin team. Last week Sanchez got a welcome call to the NFL from the New Orleans Saints, who forced three turnovers from the Southern Cal product.

The Jets also are reporting that Lito Sheppard, the fine cornerback formerly on the Philadelphia Eagles, and cornerback Donald Strickland will both be out of tonight's game as well.

For the Dolphins to continue their winning ways, it's got to come on the ground. Their one-two punch of Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams is averaging almost 184 yards each game. If these guys run wild, the Dolphins will not have to rely on Chad Henne, who has replaced the injured Pennington; once again Pennington is out for the season with a shoulder injury that could very well end his 10-year NFL career.

Keep in mind that the Jets have only allowed three rushing touchdowns against them in the first four games this year. This has all the makings of a low-scoring, smash mouth football game to be decided in the trenches.

I love Joey Porter's comments saying, "This league isn't big enough for too many bullies." He calls it two bullies meeting in a parking lot and duking it out. Should be fun.

Prediction: The Jets by a field goal late in the fourth quarter 17-14. Didn't I say that same thing last week in New Orleans?