Dolphins at Jets
THE STORY: Mired in a three-game losing streak that has somewhat muted bombastic coach Rex Ryan, the New York Jets finally return home to take on the winless Miami Dolphins on Monday night. On paper, a visit by their AFC East Division rival appears to be exactly what the Jets need to snap out of their funk. Only one problem: Miami has won its last three visits to East Rutherford and has beaten New York in four of the last five meetings. Coming off a bye week, the Dolphins will play their first game without QB Chad Henne, who is done for the season with a separated shoulder.
TV: ESPN, 8:30 p.m. ET. LINE: Jets -7, O/U 43.5
ABOUT THE DOLPHINS (0-4): With Matt Moore getting the start in place of Henne, Miami will be hoping rookie RB Daniel Thomas is ready to go after missing two games with hamstring injuries. Moore threw for 167 yards and an interception after replacing Henne in San Diego. He has 16 TDs and 18 picks in 23 games. Thomas has rushed for 202 yards in the two games he has played and could play a vital role against New York’s soft run defense. WR Brandon Marshall, who has a quiet 22 receptions on the season, has vowed to play like a “monster” Monday night.
ABOUT THE JETS (2-3): Veteran WR Derrick Mason was traded to Houston this week following critical remarks of the team’s offense, but New York’s biggest problems have been on the other side of the ball. The Jets have allowed at least 30 points in three straight games and were helpless to stop the run against Oakland and New England. With QB Mark Sanchez and the passing game struggling, Ryan’s promise of a ground-and-pound attack led to a season-high 83 yards and a TD by RB Shonn Greene in last week’s 30-21 loss at New England. WR Santonio Holmes has eight catches during the three-game skid.
EXTRA POINTS:
1. Miami is tied for the second-most wins (40) on Monday Night Football, but the Jets are 4-0 at home against the Dolphins in such matchups.
2. New York has not dropped four straight games since 2007, which was the last season the Dolphins started 0-5.
3. “Everything stinks when you lose. The food tastes terrible, beer's warm, everything. It's rotten, when you lose it's absolutely rotten. But there's one way to fix it and that's to win, and when you win, everything is great. So that's what we're planning on doing.” – Ryan on his approach to Monday’s game.