The Dolphins were so badly booed out of Sun Life Stadium in their home-opening disaster against the Bills last week that they ended up in London to play their next game. The NFL heads across the pond for its International Series when AFC East rivals New York and Miami battle at Wembley Stadium early Sunday morning. Both teams look to regroup after uninspiring showings last week.
ODDS
The Jets opened as a 1-point favorite with a total of 41. Early money on New York pushed the line up to a field goal at -3 in what is essentially a neutral site game. The Dolphins have been to London before, just last season in fact, when they beat the Raiders in Wembley Stadium.
KEY INJURIES
Willie Colon – Will be sidelined “at least a week,” according to coach Todd Bowles, after the starting right guard injured his knee in the Eagles game. An MRI revealed a sprained MCL. Brian Winters replaced Colon last weekend and will start in his place against the Dolphins.
Chris Ivory – Dressed but did not play against the Eagles and his status for Sunday is up in the air. He continues to deal with a strained quadriceps.
Branden Albert – Missed the Buffalo game with a hamstring injury and his loss is a blow to the offensive line that allowed two sacks and too much pressure on quarterback Ryan Tannehill. Jason Fox started at left tackle in his place.
KEY MISMATCH
Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick might just have a chance for a big game against the Dolphins defense, which collapsed at the end of last season and still looks awful even after the addition of $114 million tackle Ndamukong Suh. Miami ranks 26th in the NFL in total defense, giving up 391 yards per game, and allows 246 through the air. The opposing quarterback rating is 101.8, and the passers have been a rather undistinguished trio – Washington’s Kirk Cousins, Jacksonville’s Blake Bortles and Buffalo’s Tyrod Taylor. Suh and the rest of the heralded defensive front has one sack all season.
KEY STAT
13.7 – The Jets’ league-leading points per game allowed. New York’s stingiest defense faces the Dolphins, who average just 17 points per game and rank 27th in the NFL.
BETTING ANGLE
Have the Dolphins quit on coach Joe Philbin? It sure looked like it last weekend against the Bills. Miami’s loss to the Jaguars was bad enough, but last weekend’s disaster, with zero effort and intensity, certainly reflects on one person. Miami players talked all week about the importance of the Buffalo game for the overall growth of the team. Then they responded in the important game by getting whipped 41-17. There are two ways to look at the mess of a statement game: the Bills are really good and will do this too any number of teams – doubtful – or Philbin’s message isn’t getting through. If the Dolphins are playing with the knowledge that Philbin’s job is on the line, the performance against Buffalo is an indicator of support throughout the locker room for the coach. The Dolphins are now 7-12 against the AFC East under Philbin.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
I’m not ready to throw in the towel on the Dolphins just yet. They looked awful getting lambasted by the Bills last week in what should have been a game this team was ready for, but they weren’t, for whatever reason. There is still plenty of talent on the roster and maybe a trip far away is what this squad needs to get things figured out. One thing is certain. The offensive line is a mess and is the first thing that needs to be fixed. Tannehill had three picks with one going through a receivers hands and another tipped at the line. Not all his fault, but he takes the brunt of the blame. The Jets took a tumble last week as well with the parade through downtown being put on hold. Watch for the Dolphins to simplify their game plan so the line can get some work down and protect Tannehill. If the run game opens up, which won’t be easy against the Jets, Miami will win this game. We know Fitzpatrick and the Jets offense certainly won’t.
Miami 24, New York 18
The NFL odds for this Sunday game were first available at BookMaker Sportsbook. The Jets were pegged as 1-point chalk while the total opened at 41. Since this game can be seen by anyone with a TV, BookMaker will have a multitude of wagering options available for it. Outside of the normal lines, you can gamble on real-time odds and player props during the game. Live betting is open during every commercial break!
Need to fund your account before the big game but don’t have your computer? No problem, BookMaker Sportsbook now offers a mobile betting cashier so you can deposit money directly from your smartphone. Don’t miss out on getting paid because you couldn’t bet, click here and deposit at BookMaker now! The contest pitting the New York Jets versus the Miami Dolphins will commence Sunday, October 4, 2015, at 9:30 a.m. ET at Wembley Stadium in London, England. The matchup will be televised live on CBS.
