Ryan Fitzpatrick might just have done enough on Sunday to keep his starting gig. Fitzpatrick threw for 228 yards and a touchdown without an interception (!) on 16 of 34 completions to guide the Jets to a 31-28 win over the Browns.
The Jets next look to extend their win streak to three games, when they pay Miami a visit this coming Sunday. New York, however, is just 2-3 SU and ATS in their last five road games.
Fitzpatrick played like garbage early in the Browns game with just 30 passing yards in the first half, so despite an overall decent performance, expect the Jets to turn to their backfield for most yardage production. After all, the Fins have a faulty run defense for guys like Matt Forte and Bilal Powell to abuse. The Dolphins are third worst in the league with a defense that allows 135.6 rushing yards per game. On the flipside, the Jets are rushing 110.1 per contest.
Speaking of run defense, the Jets appear to be more equipped in handling the Fins’ ground attack. New York is second in the league in run defense with opponents rushing for just 74.0 yards per week.
Like the Jets, Miami is on a two-game win streak after defeating the Bills back in Week 7, 28-25. Coming off a bye, the Fins look to take advantage of an extra week of rest in their quest to win three in a row.
Without a doubt, the biggest reason for the late surge by the Dolphins is running back Jay Ajayi, who’s simply unstoppable in the last two games. Ajayi rushed for 204 yards and two touchdowns in the 30-15 upset win over Pittsburgh in Week 6 then followed that up with a 2014 rushing yards performance to go with a touchdown in the Buffalo game. Ajayi should have a harder time breaking the Jets’ tougher rushing defense but he’s done so much lately that limiting his touches would be a foolish idea.
The Dolphins will not be forgetting to test New York’s bad pass defense, which ranks 31st in the league with 289.1 yards allowed per game, however.
Ryan Tannehill was balling in the past two games, as he has avoided throwing an interception during that span. Against the Bills, Tannehill threw for 204 yards and a touchdown on 15 of 25 passes.
Miami is 4-1 SU and 3-2 ATS in its last five home games.
