Jets vs. Dolphins: Preview, prediction, what to watch for in Week 14

An inside look at Sunday’s Jets-Dolphins NFL Week 14 matchup at MetLife Stadium:

Marquee matchup

Dolphins RB De’Von Achane vs. Jets LBs Jamien Sherwood and Quincy Williams

The Dolphins offense looks different than the version the Jets have seen in recent years.

Star receiver Tyreek Hill suffered a season-ending injury during the teams’ first meeting in September. In recent weeks, the Dolphins have leaned on their running game, and it is working.

Achane has rushed for more than 100 yards in each game of the Dolphins’ three-game winning streak.

“I don’t think it’s changed as far as what they’re trying to do, conceptually, but making sure that Achane gets his hands on the ball a ton, especially in the running game, like that’s what has a tick up,” Glenn said. “And, again, I think that’s the reason why they’ve been surging as a team, is he’s getting his hands on the ball quite a bit as a runner and making those plays. Because once he gets on the perimeter, man, he can circle the defense. You saw that last week man, he’s making a ton of plays, so we’ve got to make sure that we don’t allow him to circle the defense.”

The defense had fared better against the run recently until they saw Bijan Robinson and the Falcons last week.

Robinson rushed for 142 yards against the Jets, who looked like they had no answer for him. Sherwood and Williams have had up-and-down seasons.

The Jets need them to get to Achane quickly or it could become a long day.

Four downs

Take your pick: Is this the week the Jets defense finally gets an interception?

They have gone 12 games without a pick, which is already an NFL record. The record for fewest interceptions in a season is three, and the Jets look like they are going to challenge that.

But here comes Tua Tagovailoa, who is tied for the NFL lead in interceptions with 14. He also is tied for fourth for the most interceptions thrown since he came into the league in 2020 with 58.

Surely, the Jets will get a chance in this game to end the drought.

“We emphasize it, we talk about it,” defensive coordinator Steve Wilks said. “The most important thing, ultimately, is the win, and that’s what we want, but collectively, as a defense, you want to be able to have those because it’s going to allow and help you to win, giving those possessions back to our offense.”

Taylor made: Tyrod Taylor showed he still can make plays with his legs in last week’s win over the Falcons.

The 36-year-old quarterback ran for 44 yards and the game-tying touchdown on eight carries versus Atlanta.

Anyone who thought Justin Fields was the only Jets quarterback who could run was proven wrong. His running ability caught the attention of his teammates.

“Oh, I heard that on the sideline when I came to the sideline,” Taylor said. “I told them, ‘Not too much now, not too much.’ ”

Stephen’s island: There were some questions when cornerback Brandon Stephens was signed to a three-year, $36 million deal in free agency.

He was coming off a down year for the Ravens, and it felt like he was being overpaid. But Stephens has proven them right.

He has been one of the best players on the Jets and has allowed 40 yards or less as an outside cornerback in 10 games this season, tied for third-most such games by any player in the NFL.

With Sauce Gardner now in Indianapolis, Stephens is the team’s top corner and is getting matched up with the top receiver on the opposing team more.

Elimination scenario: The Jets’ playoff hopes dimmed long ago, but they can be officially eliminated with a loss Sunday.

They also could be eliminated if the Bills and Texans win, or the Bills and Jaguars win.

This will be the 15th consecutive year they don’t make the playoffs, the longest streak in North American sports.

This would also tie for 10th all-time in NFL playoff droughts.

The all-time record is 25 straight seasons, set by the Cardinals (1949-74) and Washington (1946-71). The longest in the Super Bowl era is 20, set by the Saints (1967-87).

Costello’s call

The Jets have played better over the past five weeks, and they have a home-field advantage Sunday because of the cold weather.

Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins don’t like playing in the cold. They have lost seven straight games in sub-45 degree temperatures at kickoff.

Make it eight.

Jets 28, Dolphins 24