It's gameday here at the Dolphinsider as the Fins and Jets are getting ready to kickoff in just over three hours from MetLife Stadium. Until then, take a look at what I think are the five keys to a Fins victory today, followed by my Fins/Jets prediction. Lets go.
1. Re-establish the run game. The Fins ran for nearly 200 yards in their week three matchup with the Jets, but have since failed to run for over 100 yards. Reggie Bush will be the healthiest he's been in weeks today, and after a week full of back and forth trash talking, should be primed for a big day. If Miami can control the offensive line and establish themselves through the trenches, then it could be a long day for the Jets defense.
2. Pressure pressure pressure QB Mark Sanchez. Do not let the embattled QB get comfortable in the pocket, as he's proven that if he's got time to throw, he could hurt you. Cameron Wake, Randy Starks, and Jared Odrick must make their presence known early and often today, because if Sanchez feel the pressure, he'll turn the ball over.
3. Speaking of turning the ball over... Win the turnover battle! It may sound cliche, but the team who wins the turnover battle will win the game, period. Ryan Tannehill hasn't throw an interception since OT in Arizona, and the rookie must continue to build on that today. Adversely, the Fins must cause turnovers on the defensive side of the ball. Pressuring Mark Sanchez will lead to interceptions, fumbles, and good things today for the Fins, and that, combined with a smart Ryan Tannehill, will go a long way for a Fins victory.
4. Control the field position. The weather could, and probably will, be a factor today, so the Fins must win the field position battle. In 2010 when these two met in a December matchup on this same field, the Fins left with a 10-6 victory in a game won by good field position. Punter Brandon Fields was called upon time after time, and continuously pinned the Jets deep in their own territory. We could have more of the same today, and in order for a Miami win, winning the field position battle will be crucial.
5. Come out of the gates firing. This one has nothing to do with a certain stat, or player, or unit, but instead deals with the team as a whole. All week both these teams have been going back and forth verbally, but today, the physical game will decide the true winner. The Fins have come out slow the last two games against Arizona and St. Louis, and have been fortunate enough to get away with it, but they may not get as lucky today. Coming out of the gates firing on all cylinders, establishing themselves as the more physical team, will go a long way today for Miami, and could be the deciding factor in a huge win, or demoralizing loss.
PREDICTION
This really is a huge matchup today for these two rivals. Both trail the Patriots in the AFC East to begin the day, but with the division so close that could be completely different by the days end. The big thing today for the Fins will be RB Reggie Bush. If the star running back can get it going today, consistently, and take the pressure off QB Ryan Tannehill, then the Fins offense could have a lot of success. Defensively, the Fins should flourish if they can eliminate RB Shonn Greene from the Jets offense and force Mark Sanchez to beat them through the air. These two teams want this one bad, and for good reason, but in the end, something tells me the Dolphins want it just a little bit more, and I'll take them in a game that, as always, will come down to the final minutes.
Final: Dolphins 23 Jets 21
Remember to check back in right before game time for all the last minute news and inactives, and don't forget to check out the live, quarter-by-quarter, blog of today's huge divisional matchup.
Until then, Go Fins!
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