The New York Jets are heading to Hard Rock Stadium on Monday Night Football, desperate for their first win of the season against the Miami Dolphins. And let’s be real, it’s not going to be easy – the Jets have lost nine of their last 10 games at this stadium. But if they can follow a few key strategies, they might just be able to pull off the upset.
First and foremost
First and foremost, the Jets need to get their tackling game together. They’re currently ranked seventh-worst in the league with a 44.3 tackling grade, according to Pro Football Focus. And with guys like Tyreek Hill, De’Von Achane, and Jaylen Waddle on the field for Miami, the Jets can’t afford to be missing tackles left and right. As defensive coordinator Steve Wilks put it, “We’re running to the ball, but we’ve gotta run to the ball with a purpose.” It’s time for the Jets to start wrapping up and bringing down their opponents.
On the other side…
On the other side of the ball, the Jets have a chance to capitalize on some major weaknesses in the Dolphins’ defense. With starting cornerback Storm Duck out, the Jets should be able to move the ball both on the ground and through the air. And with Justin Fields returning from a mild concussion, the Jets’ offense should be back to full strength. An early lead would be huge for New York, taking some pressure off their struggling defense and giving them a chance to control the game.
But if the Jets really want to secure a win, they need to put pressure on Tua Tagovailoa. When he’s got time in the pocket, he’s a dangerous quarterback who can pick apart a defense. But when he’s under pressure, he tends to get a little wild and make some mistakes. The Jets will be missing defensive end Jermaine Johnson, but they still need to find a way to disrupt Tagovailoa’s rhythm and make him uncomfortable. If they can do that, they might just be able to come away with their first win of the season.
Jets are listed as underdogs
The Jets are currently listed as 2.5-point underdogs, but if they can execute on these three keys, they’ve got a real shot at taking down the Dolphins. It’s not going to be easy, but with a little bit of luck and a lot of hard work, Gang Green might just be able to get their first win of the season on Monday night.
