A Tough Test against the Fins

Last week, the Jets romped, but I still have a sick feeling in my stomach. The good news: the Jets completely dominated on both sides of the ball. Shonn Greene looks like a beast in training rushing for a team high one hundred forty-four yards AND Thomas Jones backed up his two hundred yard performance against Buffalo by topping the century mark once again. However, the Jets are the only team that can have doom creep over them in a week where they win a game by thirty-eight points and shut out their opponent. For a second straight week, the Jets lost one of their best players for the season. Leon Washington’s broken leg, coupled with Kris Jenkins’ knee injury a week earlier, leave the Jets short handed in all phases of the game. Losing these 2 guys in consecutive weeks is more troublesome than Dane Cook’s movie career.

This week is all about revenge. Last week is over. Forget it. It’s a distant memory. Treat it like Jerome Bettis’ TV career; forget it. The first Miami game this year left a worse taste in my mouth than the time I tried a Mexican Juaritos Drink (No offense to number 6). Last week, the Jets beat a team that probably would lose a couple of games playing in the SEC. The Dolphins made the playoffs last year and they know how to compete at an NFL level. The Raiders? Maybe not.

The Dolphins need a win in the worst way, coming off their epic collapse at home against the Saints. This is a big game for both teams. If the Jets intend on competing with New England for an AFC East title, they must come to play on Sunday. On the other hand, if the Dolphins lose this week, coming off that EMBARASSING second half performance against New Orleans, their season for all intents and purposes will be over. The last time these teams played each other, it was a great game, even though it left me curled up in the fetal position with tears streaming down my face. Rex Ryan had his worst performance of his young career and the Dolphins took advantage of it. Rex Ryan couldn’t figure out how to tame the wildcat coupled with a quarterback who can actually throw.

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Has Ryan figured out how to stop the wildcat with Chad Henne at the helm? That is the biggest concern for the Jets going into this week. The Dolphins controlled the ball for much of their first tilt this season. Let’s face it, the Jets had less control in that game than the girl of “Flavor of Love” have over their bowels. The Jets need to assert themselves offensively and take control of the game. The past 2 Sundays, the Jets have run wild. Three hundred yards rushing in each of the past 2 games? Child please.

Against the Dolphins you have to play tough and play smart. If you make a mistake, they will punish you by boring you to death with thirty-five straight runs and holding the ball for ten minutes at a time.

The truth is, I don’t love this Jets team. They’re inconsistent and players keep dropping every week. I want them to woo me. I need to be romanced. I’ll admit it, Rex Ryan and the Sanchise made me fall under their spell in the first 3 weeks of the season, but I don’t put out so easily.

This week would be a huge step in the right direction. As a Jet fan I cannot downplay this enough. I hate the Dolphins. I despise them. I’d rather cut off my toes and eat them for lunch than watch the Dolphins win the Super Bowl. I’d rather sit on a plane in between 2 people with the swine flu than shake hands with Dan Marino.

That’s why I beg Mark Sanchez with my numerous and possibly over the line messages on twitter with comments urging for a victory on Sunday.

Please.

The Prediction

Dolphins 28

Jets 23

Let’s pray that I’m wrong

By Daniel Rein
ProFootball-fans.com New York Jets Correspondent