New York Jets (5-8) vs. Miami Dolphins (9-4)
Week 15 of the NFL presents an exciting AFC East clash as the New York Jets, with a 5-8 record, visit the Miami Dolphins, who have an impressive 9-4 standing. This pivotal matchup is scheduled for Sunday, December 17, 2023, at Hard Rock Stadium, with a kickoff time of 1:00 PM ET and televised coverage on CBS. Fans and bettors looking for football picks today are keenly focusing on this game, as it holds significant playoff implications, especially for the surging Dolphins.
The Jets’ rushing attack has taken a hit since the season-ending injury to electric rookie Breece Hall. Veteran James Robinson was acquired to pick up the slack but has struggled behind a banged-up offensive line. New York is averaging just 110 rushing yards per game over its last three contests. More pressure has fallen on second-year quarterback Zach Wilson, who has battled inconsistency and ranks near the bottom of the league in most passing categories. Wideout Garrett Wilson is a rising star, but the Jets lack reliable weapons beyond him.
Conversely, the Dolphins sport a balanced, high-octane offense led by ascending QB Tua Tagovailoa. Miami boasts the second-ranked passing attack along with the 10th-best rushing game. Tyreek Hill form arguably the top receiver in football. Meanwhile, Raheem Mostert has enjoyed a resurgent year out of the backfield. This unit can explode at a moment’s notice, bad news for a Jets defense surrendering 26.7 points per contest.
New York Jets vs. Miami Dolphins Game Info
| When: | Sunday, December 17, 2023 at 1:00 PM ET |
| Where: | Hard Rock Stadium |
| TV: | CBS |
| Stream: | NFL Game Pass |
Zach Wilson QB vs. Tua Tagovailoa QB
Zach Wilson has experienced growing pains this season. He has amassed 2,245 yards, but only 8 touchdowns (compared to 7 interceptions), has completed only 60.8 percent of his passes, struggled in last week’s loss to Buffalo Bills by throwing two interceptions and getting sacked five times; frequently holding onto the ball too long in the pocket can be dangerous against Miami’s aggressive pass rush and Wilson must speed up his internal clock and get it out quickly on Sunday; unfortunately for him and the Jets, their pass catchers ( other than rookie Garrett Wilson) remain limited and unreliable pass catchers for him.
Tua Tagovailoa has flourished under Mike McDaniel’s tutelage in Year 3, posting career-best stats with 3,457 passing yards and 24 touchdowns through just 12 contests. Tagovailoa has shown great confidence and timing distributing to Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle among other receivers all across the field, while using his mobility both sliding in the pocket or taking off as a runner; only 17 times have been sacked this season thanks to a strong Dolphins offensive line.
NFL Odds/Point Spread: Miami Dolphins -800, Total Odds: 40.5
The betting odds heavily favor the Dolphins, reflective of their strong season performance and the Jets’ struggles. The spread of 13.5 points suggests a belief in the Dolphins’ ability to control the game. The total odds set at 40.5 points indicate expectations of a moderately high-scoring affair.
New York Jets Betting Trends
The Jets are just 1-5 against the spread (ATS) over their previous six games. They have also gone under the total in six of their last eight contests. While New York plays tough defense, its offense lacks consistency to keep pace on the scoreboard or beat margins. The Jets are 1-6 straight up in their past seven road trips to Miami while covering just twice in that span.
Miami Dolphins Betting Trends
The surging Dolphins are 11-5 ATS on the season, including a stellar 7-1 ATS record at home. Miami has played over the total in four of its past six overall. Tua Tagovailoa and the offense are locked in right now, eclipsing 30+ points in four of five games during this win streak. Miami has also won seven straight home matchups outright versus New York.
New York Jets vs. Miami Dolphins 12/17/23 Betting Picks
Considering the analysis and trends, the Dolphins appear to be the stronger team, especially with their high-scoring offense. The Jets will need a significantly improved performance to challenge Miami.
In terms of betting, the Dolphins are the more favorable pick, given their overall performance and the Jets’ road struggles. Prop bets on individual player performances, especially for quarterbacks and key receivers, could be worthwhile. The over/under is a close call, but leaning towards the over might be sensible given the Dolphins’ offensive prowess.
This prediction reflects the Dolphins’ offensive strength and the Jets’ inconsistencies. For bettors, exploring various options at top sportsbooks, including spreads, moneylines, and totals, would be prudent for this AFC East showdown.
