The New York Jets and the Miami Dolphins meet Sunday in NFL action from Hard Rock Stadium. The Jets are struggling this year at 5-8 overall, but did beat the Texans in their latest outing. As for Miami, they’re fresh off a Monday matchup with the Titans. In that game the Dolphins suffered an epic collapse in the waning minutes for their fourth loss of the season. Let’s get into our Jets vs. Dolphins prediction. Check back all season long for free NFL picks at Sports Chat Place.

New York Jets 

The Jets have had a pretty miserable season thus far, but there are a few positives to point to with the defense. New York is giving up just 19.8 points per game on average, but scoring a flaccid 15.5 points per game themselves. The passing attack has yielded just 176.9 yards per game with nine scores and 11 picks, while the rush has 89.8 yards per game and only four TDs. 

New York got some good news (finally) with a win over the Texans in their last game. After a scoreless first half, the Jets surged ahead with 30 more points for a 30-6 outcome. QB Zach Wilson threw for 301 yards and two scores. Breece Hall led the rush with 40 yards, and Garrett Wilson added 108 yards off nine grabs. 

New York Jets Team Facts

• The Jets have lost each of their last 10 games in Florida.
• The Jets have covered the spread in each of their last six December games as underdogs against AFC opponents.
• The Jets have won the first quarter in each of their last four December games as underdogs against the Dolphins.
• The favorites have won the first half in 12 of the Jets’ last 13 games.
• Each of the Jets’ last six road games played on the East Coast have gone UNDER the total points line.

Miami Dolphins 

Over on the Dolphins’ side, they only lost three of their first 12 games this year. Miami fell to Buffalo, Philadelphia and Kansas City during that time. On average, the Dolphins posted 32.0 points per game in their first dozen outings while allowing 22.2 points on defense. An average of 143.3 yards per game with 22 touchdowns came via the rush. 

In their latest outing versus the Titans on Monday, Miami was up by 14 points with under three minutes remaining. The Dolphins gave up a pair of touchdown drives from there in a mind-boggling loss 28-27. QB Tua Tagovailoa finished with 240 yards on 23-of-33 passing and Jaylen Waddle managed 79 yards on six receptions. Raheem Mostert did most of the offensive work though, notching 96 yards and two scores on the ground from 21 carries. 

Miami Dolphins Team Facts

• The Dolphins have won each of their last seven home games against the Jets.
• The Dolphins have covered the spread in each of their last eight Sunday games against teams that held a losing record.
• The Dolphins have lost the first quarter in each of their last four Week 15 games as favorites against AFC East opponents.
• The Dolphins have lost the first half in each of their last eight December games against AFC opponents.
• The Dolphins have scored the first touchdown in each of their last four games.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Dolphins rank 1st in the NFL in yards per game this season (423.6).
• The Dolphins rank 1st in the NFL in passing yards per game this season (279.2).
• The Jets rank 32nd in the NFL in yards per game this season (266.8).
• The Jets rank 1st in the NFL in total punt yards this season (3737).

ANDREW’S FREE JETS VS DOLPHINS PREDICTION 

I’m staying with Miami. These teams met up with each other fairly recently on November 24 in a home game for New York. In that one Miami pulled off a pretty easy 34-13 blowout victory, notching 395 yards (228 passing) and 22 first downs along the way. The Jets offense struggled (which is no surprise) on just 159 total yards and 12 first downs—which included a paltry 29 rush yards. 

New York is riding a bit of momentum after their late surge in the win over Houston on Sunday. That said, the Dolphins will be a much tougher customer and playing with plenty of confidence at home. New York will likely go back to their old ways in this matchup, and I don’t see the Jets getting close here. Even with the late breakdown from the Dolphins on Monday, this is a great opportunity for a bounce-back outing.