Two words: Dustin Keller. The Dolphins have been abused by tight ends this season. Tony Gonzalez had 5 catches for 73 yards for Atlanta against Miami. Dallas Clark went off with 7 catches for 183 yards in Week 2. Antonio Gates had 5 for 64 the next week. This means this week's gameplan is probably going to be Keller heavy. The Dolphins cover the tight end like they're the 2008 Jets. The middle linebackers, Akin Ayodele and Channing Crowder, and the safeties, Yeremiah Bell and Gibril Wilson, have been bad in coverage. An athletic tight end like Keller is a matchup problem.
Jerricho Cotchery might face his toughest test of the year facing Sean Smith, a rookie corner from Utah, who is huge at 6'3" and has displayed great cover skills in the early going. A lot does depend on how much Braylon Edwards will play and how much the playbook he feels comfortable with. If he can actually get on the field and make an impact, Smith is the best fit to match up with his physical tools. That would leave Will Allen on Cotchery, which is a matchup the Jets want. In not, Jerricho is in for a tough matchup against Smith, and Brad Smith will go against Allen, which seem to favor Miami.
Mark Sanchez is going to have to make sure he protects the football this week. It seems likely for the Jets defense to hold Miami down. Miami's easiest path to victory will be forcing turnovers to produce a short field. On obvious passing downs, they will have three terrific pass rushers on the field, Joey Porter, Jason Taylor (ironically the one Miami linebacker who has kept his mouth shut this week), and CFL sack king Cameron Wake. Miami's coaches have watched tape on Sanchez. They have seen how loose he is holding the ball. I can guaratee you the defensive coaches have been preaching to their guys to go for the strip.
The Jets don't necessarily need their passing game to win this game. They just need it not to lose the game.
Damien Woody's status is up in the air. He left the game against the Saints and didn't practice on Friday with a foot injury. You would have to think the game being on Monday would be a benefit since it gives him an extra day of rest, but there's a real possibility he's sitting this one out. Robert Turner would start in his place. Considering the way Woody handled Joey Porter in Week 17 last year, it would be a big loss. The Jets would definitely have to give Turner extra help handling Porter.