Jets vs. Dolphins: AFC East Rivals Close Out the NFL Regular Season

New York Jets at Miami Dolphins
Sunday, 1/1/12, 1:00 PM EST, TV: CBS
Opening Point Spread: Miami -2
Current Betting Line: Miami -3
Opening Total: 41.5
Current Total: 41
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

Colts Jets NFL Preview — The New York Jets will try to keep their slim playoff hopes alive Sunday in South Beach

New York needs a lot of help to reach the playoffs after dropping back-to-back games that includes a deflating 29-14 loss against the New York Giants as three-point home favorites. “Have we had the results we were hoping for? No, but again, the season is not over,” stated Jets head coach Rex Ryan this week. The Jets tallied a 24-6 victory over the Miami Dolphins in their first meeting this year inside MetLife Stadium, but this particular contest to close out the 2011-12 regular season will take place in South Beach. New York is 9-9 ATS versus divisional opponents the last two-plus years.

The Jets have plenty of problems to address during the offseason if it misses out on playing in the postseason, including the status of quarterback Mark Sanchez. He is coming off a two-interception performance and also lost a key fumble near the end zone. New York’s defense will need to win this game and cornerback Darrelle Revis will need to shut down Miami wide receiver Brandon Marshall. It’s hard to imagine things breaking this squad’s way during a disappointing campaign.

Miami has alternated wins and losses over its past six games, dropping a 27-24 contest to the New England Patriots as nine-point road underdogs in Week 16. The Dolphins have out-gained three of their last five opponents and have gone ‘over’ the total in three of four games. It’s certainly possible that the locker room may run flat coming into this matchup, as it was unable to hold a 17-0 halftime lead against the Patriots. Miami is 10-7 ATS versus division opponents and 0-2 ATS in January games the last two-plus seasons.

The Dolphins will definitely miss running back Reggie Bush on Sunday, as he suffered a right knee injury and ends his season with 1,086 rushing yards. Marshall is the major offensive weapon and comes in with 1,177 receiving yards, giving the franchise its first 1,000-yard combination in the rushing and receiving category in its history. On the defensive side of the ball, the Dolphins should be highly-motivated to perform at a hight level, as veteran Jason Taylor will retire after this contest.