Dolphins vs. Jets Preview

LAST MEETING: At New York on Oct. 17, 2011; Jets 24, Dolphins 6

The Miami Dolphins will be ringing in the New Year by playing the New York Jets on Jan. 1 at Sun Life Stadium. Fins fans, it’s your last chance to see Miami play in the 2011 season, and you can be there in person to see how the team finishes this up-and-down season. Will Miami end the year with a win, or will they go into 2012 with even more question marks? Get your tickets now at MiamiDolphinsTickets.com, your source for the best Dolphins coverage as well as the best place to purchase Dolphins ticket packages, Dolphins VIP tickets and even Miami Dolphins tailgate packages!

The first meeting between these two division rivals was full of plotlines, as the Fins were 0-4 on the season at the time and the Jets themselves were riding a three-game losing streak. That game ultimately turned the season around for both teams, with New York going on a three-game winning streak, while Miami, after suffering their worst loss of the season to the Jets, ultimately went on to win three of their next five games.

Now, however, with only one game remaining in the 2011 regular season, Miami and New York are facing two totally different endings to the year. While Miami is merely seeking to go out with a win, New York has its backs against the wall. With its playoff hopes resting on this one game, the Jets must win in South Florida if they hope to keep playing another week. Of course, they need a few other things to happen as well – Cincinnati and Tennessee would also have to lose, and either Oakland or Denver would have to fall as well.

Miami knows it will be playing the role of spoiler on Sunday, and they hope to be just that. Quarterback Matt Moore will also be looking to avenge the early loss to the Jets, as his first start of the season was against this same New York team 11 weeks ago. Since that start, he has shown steady improvement, as has the rest of the cast. With the QB position in limbo, this might be his last start with the team, but he isn’t the only player facing that situation. Jason Taylor will end his 15-year career on Sunday as well, after collecting more sacks than any other player in Miami Dolphins history. He will end his career with 139 ½ sacks (if he doesn’t add to that total on Sunday), which ranks sixth in NFL history, but more importantly, he will go down as one of the most beloved Miami Dolphins of all-time.