Week 5 Preview: Jets @ Dolphins

By: Robert Cowper
10.12.09

As much as those ESPN Monday Night Football commercials would lead us to believe, Monday's aren't always that bad, especially when you have the Jets/Dolphins game to look forward to. Sure, there are definitely sexier matchups during the year, but you should have this game circled for a few reasons.

1. The Wildcat: It's been oft talked about this past week, but you cannot deny that Rex Ryan's defenses in Baltimore were stout against the run. Throughout the entire 2007 and 2008 seasons, the Ravens did not allow any 100-yard rushers. Considering that the Fins have the NFL's leading rushing attack, the fate of the game will depend on which line (Miami's offensive, Jets defensive) can take control.
2. The Young QBs: Take a second to go look at the stats for the starters of tonight's game, Chad Henne and Mark Sanchez... I'll wait... Notice anything? Together, the two guys have a total of only 5 NFL starts. As ESPN just reported during one of their forty pre-game shows, it is the lowest total between two starting QBs on MNF. Ever. Being a Michigan Wolverines fan, I've seen a lot of Henne over the last few years, and I have to admit, he does have the skills to be a viable NFL signal caller. I'm not so sure that he has the weapons on the outside, though; Ted Ginn, Jr. and Davone Bess don't really strike fear into opposing defenses. Sanchez, during his first four games, was in the same boat with questionable starting WRs, but the addition of Braylon Edwards may drastically change that. (Some segue, huh?)
   
3. Braylon Edwards: For many off-team fans (meaning not Jets or Dolphins fans), this will probably be why they tune in. Edwards was living in near obscurity with the Browns the last year or so. He caught fire in 2007 with Derek Anderson under center, but with all the money and draft picks they spent acquiring Brady Quinn, they had to give him the keys to the Dodge Caravan sooner or later. If Edwards can handle the spotlight in New York, I think he'll find some success with the Jets. Don't expect the torrid 16 TD output from '07, but he could easily rack up 800 yards and 6 TDs in the last 12 games. It all starts tonight.