Jets' Quarterback Change, Tyreek Hill Injury Not Enough to Sway Prediction Panel in Week 15

Dolphins are unanimous selection to ground the Jets in crucial AFC East matchup

Author:
Ralph Ventre
Publish date:
Dec 17, 2023 7:58 AM EST

In this story:

The New York Jets will start a different quarterback this time around, but the Sports Illustrated prediction panel does not foresee a different outcome.

After dropping a 34-13 decision at home to the Miami Dolphins on Black Friday, the New York Jets will visit their AFC East rivals for a Week 15 meeting in South Florida on December 17. Even with quarterback Zach Wilson back at the controls, and coming off a 300-yard passing day, the Jets are not garnering much respect from the "experts."

All seven SI panelists selected the Dolphins to defeat the Jets for the second time this season. New York is hoping to replay the story it wrote last week when the entire panel sided with the Houston Texans. After a scoreless first half, the Jets produced three second-half touchdown drives to topple the Texans, 30-6. Houston quarterback C.J. Stroud was limited to 10-of-23 passing for 91 yards.

This week, it's Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins' high octane passing attack that will test Gang Green's defense. Miami All-Pro receiver Tyreek Hill will be less than 100 percent healthy if he decides to suit up against the Jets. The NFL's receiving leader sprained him left ankle in Monday night's loss to Tennessee.

"Fully expecting him to play," said Jets' head coach Robert Saleh on Friday. "We’re operating as if he’s playing. If he doesn’t play, then they’ve got a whole host of track stars that can do it, not do what he does but still execute the offense the way it needs to be executed."

While Hill victimized the Jets for 102 yards and a touchdown, Miami also had success on the ground despite missing rookie running back De'Von Achane. The Dolphins rushed for 167 yards on the Jets' home turf.

"You’re so concerned with their vertical passing game, that it’s really hard to devote the necessary resources to the run all the time, so it’s trying to find that balance," said Jets' defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich. "It’s a fine line, but I have to give our guys a better opportunity to defend the run at times."

As for what to expect from Miami this time around?

"We are both who we are. There’s going to be some nuance. There’s going to be some changes. I am sure [Mike] McDaniel is going to have 65 new plays, but at the meat of it is philosophy and a style of play that those guys have," said Saleh.

Reminder, all SI weekly game predictions are straight up. On the betting line, the Dolphins are currently 8.5-point home favorites according to SI Sportsbook. Money line bettors face -400 odds to back the Dolphins while the Jets offer a +320 potential payout.

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