There are enough storylines in Monday's big game to keep a room full of writers busy for months. We grabbed two of the lesser talented ones and got them to go over some of the main points bettors are talking about.
Who gets the checkmark in this game: Jets defense or Fins wildcat offense?
Dave Carey: Miami has the top-ranked rushing attack in the league, churning its way to a staggering 183.5 yards per game on the ground. New York allows a troubling 4.2 yards per carry. I sure hope Rex Ryan put his squad through tackling drills this week.
Ashton Grewal: I couldn’t disagree more. New York’s defense will give up some yards on the ground, but the unit is lights out on third and fourth down. That means Ryan’s boys come up with the big stop when the team needs it.
This stopper unit has embraced Ryan’s ball-busting, man-up, arrogant attitude. It’s been a perfect mesh so far and I see the defense coming up with several turnovers and big plays throughout Monday’s game.
Is Jets DB Darrelle Revis the best cornerback in the league?
Grewal: Revis’ rapid ascent among the league’s best corners is astonishing. That said, if I hear Dan Dierdorf talk about Revis Island one more time, I’m going to throw my remote at the TV.
The term “cover cornerback” gets tossed around far too often. You’ve got to remember this: Ryan’s defense doesn’t work without a defensive back that can shut down wideouts in one-on-one coverage.
I think Revis and Champ Bailey are the best in the business, but it won’t be long before Revis sits alone at the top.
Carey: Champ Bailey, Charles Woodson and I all don’t think he’s the best. I was among those who booed the Revis selection a few years ago at the NFL Draft, but I’ll admit I was wrong about his potential.
Revis has the ability to become the best, and facing the inexperienced Chad Henne on Monday night means he will have chances to make an impact.
Are the Dolphins better off with Chad Henne under center rather than veteran Chad Pennington?
Grewal: I think we have to stay calm with all the Henne hoopla that’s going around right now. Let’s not forget that Miami’s offensive outburst came against the Bills. Yes, the same Bills that lost at home to the Browns in a game everyone wished had been blacked out.
Henne’s got a bigger arm and he’s already played a number of huge games in college. But I wouldn’t want to be him staring down that New York overload blitz on the other side of the line of scrimmage.
The Dolphins are better off taking their lumps with Henne now, but Pennington would give them a better chance of winning this game if he was under center.
Carey: Let me restate the question: Who’s the better option under center, the young top prospect taken in the second round out of a big-time college and given time to develop or the guy who has been criticized for having a candy arm and was thought of so much by his coaching staff the team designed an entire package to keep him off the field?
Having Henne out there gives the offense more punch and makes the total of 36 seem a little low.
Was trading for Braylon Edwards a good move by the Jets?
Carey: Edwards is an elite athlete with a world-class mouth and Pop-Warner caliber hands. The Jets are hoping he can put the drop passes and off-field antics behind, and form a long-time tandem with rookie quarterback Matt Sanchez.
The former Michigan star is low-risk, high-reward. If he doesn’t work out, think New York fans will lament the loss of Chansi Stuckey?
Grewal: I do think the Jets will miss Chansi Stuckey over the short term, but I can’t argue against the move.
Dave said it best: it’s a low-risk, high reward scenario for the Jets.
Final score prediction:
Carey: Dolphins 20, Jets 17
Grewal: Jets 23, Dolphins 13