Game day Preview

So what its only 7a.m.? Its GAMEDAY, time to get pumped.
N.Y. Jets at Miami

NFL.com wire reports


New York has won three of its past four games, including a 26-13 victory against the Minnesota Vikings last week, to keep its postseason hopes alive. At 8-6, the Jets are two games behind New England in the division and among four AFC teams vying for two wild-card spots.

Even if New York wins its final two games, it will still need help to make the playoffs. The Jets are happy to be in the race, though, after going 4-12 last season.

"It is big for us to have something to play for," Jets safety Kerry Rhodes said. "Each game is getting bigger and bigger each week. It is on a national spotlight and it will be good to show the world what we have been doing here and letting them know what we are about."

Chad Pennington showed the Minnesota Vikings what he was about Dec. 17 when he passed for a career-high 339 yards to lead the Jets. He completed 74.4 percent (29-for-39) of his passes for his third 300-yard game of the season.

Pennington threw for 175 yards and two TDs in a 20-17 victory against the Dolphins on Oct. 15, improving to 5-1 as a starter against them, including four victories in a row. He has passed for 1,085 yards and eight TD passes in those six starts -- his most TDs against any opponent -- with only one interception.

Coles was on the receiving end of both touchdown passes in the earlier victory against Miami and has nine of his 31 career TD receptions versus the Dolphins (6-8). The Jets wide receiver caught 12 passes for 144 yards and a touchdown last week to post his third 1,000-yard season. He also surpassed 500 career catches.

"He's been outstanding not just in his production, but all of the other things that he brings to the table," Jets coach Eric Mangini said.

Jets coach Eric Mangini must figure out which RB would be best to run at Miami's defense.
With 87 receptions this season, Coles is closing in on Al Toon's team record of 93 set in 1988. He is listed as questionable on the injury report with a back injury, but has an extra day to recuperate for the Jets' first Christmas Day game in franchise history.

New York has won its past three Monday night appearances and is an impressive 5-2 on the road this season, including three consecutive victories there. The Jets have outscored their opponents 81-37 during that road winning streak and are averaging 370.0 yards in that span.

Those marks will be tested against the Dolphins, who are holding teams to 278.7 yards per game -- the third-best mark in the NFL -- and 17.4 points. New York has lost three of its past four trips to Miami, but has taken 13 of the past 17 overall matchups.

The Dolphins are trying to recover from a 21-0 shutout loss to the Buffalo Bills last week that ensured they will miss the playoffs for the fifth consecutive season -- a franchise first. Miami began the season 1-6, but rebounded with victories in five of its previous six games before the Week 15 defeat.

The Dolphins, who beat New England 21-0 in Week 14, became the first team since the 1977 Bears to get shut out a week after recording one.

"It's disappointing, but we're not discouraged about what we need to do and what we have to do," Dolphins coach Nick Saban said Dec. 18. "Everybody is going to get pretty much evaluated on how they manage the circumstance that we're in."

Saban said Joey Harrington will remain the team's starting quarterback despite completing 5 of 17 passes for 20 yards, two interceptions and a career-low 0.0 passer rating against Buffalo. The Dolphins' signal caller has lost both career starts against the Jets, completing 57.5 percent of his passes for 437 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions.

Miami's offense might get a boost from running back Ronnie Brown, who said he expects to play in the final two games after being sidelined since Thanksgiving with a broken left hand.

"It's not a no-risk situation, but it's pretty minimal," said Brown, who leads the team with 783 yards and two touchdowns. "I'm not putting myself in too much of a risk. Everything looks good."

AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service


New York Jets
After 2-3 start, team has gone 6-3 … Team (8) has doubled last season’s win total under rookie head coach ERIC MANGINI … In past 3 vs. Mia, QB CHAD PENNINGTON has 7 TDs vs. 0 INTs, completing 47 of 78 (60.3 pct.) for 554 yds & 111.8 passer rating. Pennington passed for career-high 339 yds last wk & with 2,958 pass yds on season, needs 145 more to reach single season career-high (3,120; 2002) … Rookie RB LEON WASHINGTON has 571 rush yds & needs 53 more to surpass FREEMAN MC NEIL (623, 1981) for 4th most by rookie in club history. In past 3 games RB CEDRIC HOUSTON has 3 rushing TDs & 208 rush yds on 61 carries … WR LAVERANUES COLES (1,065) & WR JERRICHO COTCHERY (858) aim to become 1st NYJ duo to reach 1,000 rec. yds each since 1998 when team advanced to AFC Championship Game (WAYNE CHREBET, 1,083; KEYSHAWN JOHNSON, 1,131). Coles has 7 TD catches in past 8 vs. division … LB VICTOR HOBSON has 3.0 sacks in past 2 games. DE BRYAN THOMAS has at least 1.0 sack in 5 of past 7 games.

Miami Dolphins
Team has won 3 of past 4 at home … QB JOEY HARRINGTON has won 3 in row at home vs. division foes dating back to ’04. In past 2 at home vs. division, Harrington has completed 33 of 58 (56.9 pct.) for 357 yds w/ 3 TDs vs. 0 INTs for 92.4 passer rating … RB SAMMY MORRIS caught career-high 5 passes last wk … Club has 4 players w/ 50+ catches for 3rd time in history: WR WES WELKER (63), WR CHRIS CHAMBERS (55), TE RANDY MC MICHAEL (53), & WR MARTY BOOKER (51). Booker has 4 TDs on 3rd down, tied for 3rd most in AFC … Defense stands 3rd in NFL w/ 46 sacks. DE JASON TAYLOR has A sack in 9 of past 11 & is tied for 2nd in NFL w/ 12.5 on season

 

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