New York Jets

New York Jets at Miami Dolphins: Five Players to Watch

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 12:02 p.m. ET

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Nov 29, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson (96) chases Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) during the second half at MetLife Stadium.The Jets defeated the Dolphins 38-20. Mandatory Credit: William Hauser-USA TODAY Sports

On Sunday, November 6th, the New York Jets will be playing the Miami Dolphins for the first time this season. Here are five players to watch in the divisional matchup.

It has been a disappointing 2016 season for both the New York Jets and the Miami Dolphins. Both teams have won just three games so far this season, but the Dolphins have a slightly better record at 3-4 due to the bye week.

Despite the poor records, both of these teams have won their last two games. For the Jets, the wins against the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns aren’t exactly impressive, but they are wins nonetheless. For the Dolphins, their two wins have been a bit more impressive against the Pittsburgh Steelers and Buffalo Bills. However, the Dolphins did benefit from Ben Roethlisberger getting during their game against the Steelers.

This is an extremely important game for both teams on Sunday. With their seasons on life support, this is a must-win for both teams. A loss for the Jets would move them to 3-6 on the season and would end any of their slim playoff hopes. The Dolphins are in the same boat as the Jets, another loss this early in the season would essentially end their season in Week 9.

With the season on the line for both teams in all likelihood, here are five players to watch on Sunday afternoon.

Oct 17, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; New York Jets defensive end Leonard Williams (92) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Jets 28-3. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

-Leonard Williams

One of the ways that the Jets can beat the Dolphins is to rediscover their pass-rush. Since Week 1 against the Bengals, the Jets have been rather poor at getting pressure on the quarterback. The Jets were recently rumored to be shopping defensive end Sheldon Richardson before the NFL Trade Deadline, but they made the decision not to deal him.

The Jets have one of the best defensive lines in the NFL, but they haven’t performed up to their potential. So far this season, Muhammad Wilkerson has totaled 2.5 sacks and Richardson has totaled 1.5.

While those two have disappointed a bit, Leonard Williams has not. So far this season, Williams has totaled 6.0 sacks, which leads the team. Against the Dolphins, Williams and the Jets will need to get some pressure on Ryan Tannehill to help their poor passing defense.

The Dolphins haven’t done a great job at protecting Tannehill this season, as they have allowed 18 sacks this season. Getting pressure and forcing Tannehill into mistakes would be a great thing for the Jets defense that would like to win the turnover battle on Sunday.

Williams has been their best pass-rusher all season, and Tannehill will surely be watching out for him when he lines up.

Oct 30, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Robby Anderson (11) celebrates with wide receiver Quincy Enunwa (81) after Enunwa scored a touchdown against the Cleveland Browns during the second half at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

– Quincy Enunwa

Easily one of the X-factors for the Jets this season has been wide receiver Quincy Enunwa. There has been a lot of negative for the Jets this season, but Enunwa has been a breakout player and a bright spot for the offense.

This season, Enunwa has totaled 36 receptions, 502 receiving yards, and three receiving touchdowns. Since the Jets have played eight games already this season, Enunwa is actually on pace to have a 1,000 receiving yards this season. This would be a huge accomplishment for him in his second season in the NFL.

Due to the injury to Eric Decker, Enunwa will have a very good chance to accomplish that impressive feat. In the four games that the Jets have played well in this season, Enunwa has played well in all four.

In the past two games, Enunwa has totaled a touchdown in each game, and he has also had a reception of at least 50 yards. The versatility that Enunwa has brought to the Jets has been a welcomed sight, and he figures to be a big part of their future. The Dolphins’ passing defense has been good this season, but if Enunwa is able to perform, the Jets will have a good chance.

Oct 23, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jarvis Landry (14) runs with the ball against the Buffalo Bills during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. The Miami Dolphins defeat the Buffalo Bills 28-25. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

– Jarvis Landry

One of the biggest problems for the Jets this season has been stopping talented wide receivers, and they will be facing one of those yet again on Sunday. Dolphins wide receiver Jarvis Landry is a target machine for the Dolphins, and he might cause a lot of headaches for the Jets secondary on Sunday.

This season, Landry has totaled 46 receptions, 572 receiving yards, and one receiving touchdown. While Landry isn’t much of a threat in the red zone, he is an excellent receiver between the 20s and is hard to cover on the important third-downs.

Even though the Dolphins have struggled this season, it is not because of Landry. In their two most recent wins, Landry has continued to play well, as he totaled seven receptions and 91 receiving yards against the Steelers. Two weeks ago against Buffalo, Landry totaled five receptions and 78 receiving yards.

Against the Jets poor secondary, expect to see Landry targeted about 10 times by quarterback Ryan Tannehill. Due to his ability to line up all over the field, it will be a hassle for the Jets to cover him. The Jets haven’t come close to stopping anyone in the passing game this season, and don’t expect it to start against Landry.

Oct 30, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; New York Jets running back Matt Forte (22) falls from a tackle at the two yard line by Cleveland Browns cornerback Joe Haden (23) during the fourth quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Jets won 31-28. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

– Matt Forte

One of the keys for the Jets this season has been to be committed to running the football. The ineffectiveness of Ryan Fitzpatrick this season has resulted in the passing offense taking a big step back from last season.

It hasn’t been a great season on the ground for Forte, but when he touches the ball often, the Jets tend to do well. In the first two games of the season, Forte totaled nearly 60 touches, and the Jets had a narrow loss to the Cincinnati Bengals and then beat the Buffalo Bills.

In the past two weeks, there has been a recommitment to giving the ball to Forte, and the Jets are 2-0 in that span. Against the Dolphins, the Jets would be wise to get Forte involved heavily in the offense once again.

Coming into Week 9, the Dolphins are ranked 30th in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game. Even though Forte hasn’t been running great this season, he will be presented with the opportunity to have a great game against a struggling Dolphins defense. In Week 9, expect to see a lot of Forte in the rushing offense for the Jets. Controlling the ground game has been a good formula for the Jets to have success this season, and that is a weakness of the Dolphins.

Oct 23, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins running back Jay Ajayi (23) runs the ball against the Buffalo Bills during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. The Miami Dolphins defeat the Buffalo Bills 28-25. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

– Jay Ajayi

The Dolphins turn around this season is directly related to the emergence of running back Jay Ajayi. In the first game of the season, the Dolphins actually made Ajayi a healthy scratch against the Seattle Seahawks. Looking back at that move after the last two weeks, it will leave you scratching your head.

Against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Ajayi had his breakout game of the season, as he totaled 204 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns, and a ridiculous 8.4 yards per carry average. To follow up that outstanding performance against the Steelers, Ajayi totaled 214 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown against the Buffalo Bills.

The emergence of Ajayi has obviously had a huge impact on the Dolphins offense in their past two games. Against the Jets, however, Ajayi will be going against the No.1 rushing defense in the NFL. Coming into Week 9, the Jets have allowed an average of 74.0 rushing yards per game to opponents. The 3.3 yards per carry the Jets are allowing right now is also tied for first in the NFL.

Something will obviously give in this game, and whoever wins the battle on the ground between Ajayi and the Jets rushing defense might come out as the victor in the game.