Division Lead At Stake For Jets, Dolphins on MNF

NFL News - October 6th, 2009 - Written by Scott

This is what you get when you buck your previous trend and everyone starts to scramble. For the first three weeks, it seemed the Miami Dolphins were tanking quickly, slowly slipping from their elite status of manhandling opponents with their wildcat offense. Lengthy, meticulous drives were not enough to outscore the offenses Indianapolis and San Diego.

In the meantime, the New York Jets suddenly could do no wrong. Face powerful offenses like Houston and Tennessee? No big deal. Fall behind New England at halftime? No problem. Mark Sanchez handled them all, leading the Jets to the best start with a rookie quarterback in franchise history. Last week, however, both teams reversed their course and meet for a crucial division match-up on Monday Night Football with a surprisingly narrow line.

The Jets are favored by 1 1/2 points with an over/under of 36 1/2 points, according to BetUS Sportsbook. Part of that has to do with the Jets ability to stop opponents from reaching the end zone. Part of it is for their inability to reach it themselves.

The Jets were brought back down to earth when Sanchez was picked off three times and New Orleans scored three defensive touchdowns. They were able to hold Drew Brees to zero touchdown passes for the first time this year, but couldn't overcome the offensive mistakes. There was even talk on ESPN about whether or not Jet fans, who quickly idolized their rookie quarterback, should be worried about Sanchez's play.

Save New Orleans, Sanchez has been surprisingly good in his first season, and has a chance to pull ahead in the division with a win in Miami.

Without a single player on their roster with more than two sacks, the Jets defense has been able to rank sixth in total defense and fourth in points allowed. They are surrendering an average of just 14.3 points per game and David Harris leads the team in both tackles (33)and sacks (2)

But Miami appears to have finally broke it's offense open with 38 points to beat Buffalo at home last week behind the legs of Ronnie Brown. He had 115 rushing yards, vaulting him to third in the NFL, and two touchdowns. Chad Henne, starting his first game in lew of Chad Pennington's bum shoulder, completed 63-percent of his passes with a touchdown and no picks.

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