Jets at Dolphins
THE STORY: Rex Ryan continues to talk tough, but the New York Jets coach has seen his team go limp heading into Sunday's season finale against the AFC East rival Miami Dolphins. Two weeks ago, New York was on the cusp of a playoff berth, but it followed its three-game winning streak with a pair of stinkers against the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants, respectively. Now, the Jets need to defeat the Dolphins and hope for losses by Tennessee, Cincinnati and either Denver or Oakland to secure their third consecutive postseason appearance. “Obviously, the game against Miami is critical,” Ryan said. “When you look at all of the factors involved the most difficult thing (we need) to happen, I think, is for us to beat the Dolphins. The Dolphins are playing extremely well (and) doing a great job on defense.” Miami let a 17-point halftime lead evaporate in a 27-24 loss to the AFC East champion New England Patriots.
TV: CBS, 1 p.m. ET. LINE: Dolphins -1, O/U 41
ABOUT THE JETS (8-7): Much-maligned QB Mark Sanchez was forced to put up a career-high 59 passes last week, which is not a recipe for success for the Jets. Sanchez also tossed a pair of interceptions and fumbled to up his turnover total to a staggering 23 this season. Sanchez was also sacked for a safety to cap his woeful fourth quarter against the Giants. Facing the NFL's third-best rush defense, RB Shonn Greene needs just three feet to record his first 1,000-yard season of his career.
ABOUT THE DOLPHINS (5-10): Miami's all-time sack leader, Jason Taylor, will retire after Sunday's game. Taylor, 37, has recorded nine touchdowns – six fumble returns and three interceptions for scores – as well as 139.5 career sacks during his 15-year career. QB Matt Moore has come a long way since struggling in his first start for the Dolphins, which resulted in a 24-6 loss to the Jets on Oct. 17. After being intercepted twice in that game, Moore has rebounded to post a 103.9 passer rating over his last eight contests.
EXTRA POINTS:
1. Moore's favorite target is Pro Bowl WR Brandon Marshall, who is riding a three-game touchdown streak. Marshall, who reeled in seven catches for a season-best 156 yards against the Patriots, had six catches for 109 yards in his last meeting versus the Jets.
2. Jets CB Darrelle Revis was selected to his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl appearance. Revis returned the first of his two interceptions for a 100-yard touchdown in the team's first meeting.
3. With Pro Bowl LT Jake Long sidelined with a season-ending right biceps tear, the Dolphins' offensive line will need to subdue the blitz-happy Jets. Miami is three sacks shy of breaking the franchise record, which was set in 1969.