There is a lot on the line Sunday when the Dolphins travel to New York to take on the Jets for a 4:25 kickoff in the 2024 regular season finale.
With a win, the Dolphins would clinch a winning season for the fifth consecutive year. Only three other teams – Buffalo, Kansas City and Pittsburgh – can lay claim to that feat.
A win would mark 13 victories in the last 15 meetings for Miami against their rival. It would also produce a sweep of the New York Jets for a second consecutive year. Following the two wins over the Patriots in 2024, and 2023 sweeps of both teams, the Dolphins could win all four games against the Jets and Patriots in consecutive seasons for the first time since the 1972-73 teams, led by the legendary Don Shula.
Most importantly, a Dolphins win coupled with a Broncos loss at home to the Chiefs would clinch a third straight playoff berth for Miami.
The biggest question this week surrounds the signal-caller. Quarterback Tyler Huntley started his fourth game for the Dolphins in the 20-3 win in Cleveland last week, completing 22 of his 26 pass attempts for 225 yards and an additional 53 yards on the ground.
Head Coach Mike McDaniel said both Huntley and starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa would take reps this week in practice.
"Snoop will get more reps than Tua this week as we go through the week and have to be prepared for both guys to play because I don't really know exactly what it's going to look like this next Sunday," McDaniel said Monday.
Huntley went to Tyreek Hill early and often in that game as the speedster had nine catches on nine targets for 105 yards. Whether it's Tagovailoa or Huntley, Miami could also get the services of wide receiver Jaylen Waddle back this week after he missed the past two games with a knee injury.
"(Waddle) had a good week (last week)," McDaniel said. "It was kind of a recipe for disaster on the playing surface relative to his injury – we'd be begging for not only a reaggravation but probably early in the game. So I feel optimistic about him, but we'll progress that day-by-day."
On the Jets side, Sunday's 40-14 loss to the Buffalo Bills came as the offense struggled to gain much traction. Aaron Rodgers threw two interceptions with just 112 passing yards (1.2 QBR) before giving way to backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor.
The loss was just another footnote in a disappointing season for the Jets. A seven-win campaign in 2023 has regressed to just four wins so far in the 2024 season. In the process, Robert Saleh was fired from his post as head coach and the team has gone just 2-9 under interim coach Jeff Ulbrich.
The Dolphins ran for only 44 yards in the Week 14 overtime win vs. the Jets. Prior to that, Miami was averaging 137 rushing yards per game against the Jets since the arrival of Mike McDaniel in 2022.
Whether it's Tagovailoa or Huntley, the Dolphins will be prepared for whatever the game script calls for.
"There are certain things that each individual really likes," McDaniel said. "Fortunately, at this stage of the season, it will look a lot more similar with the different nuances to each guy's game that's subtle, but it won't be a completely different 'throw the playbook out' type scenario just because of the growth and what Snoop's been able to put together this season."
Make sure to check out the Injury Report and the team's official social media accounts 90 minutes before kickoff to see who is active for the game.
Watch the game live on Sunday, January 5 at 4:25 p.m. ET on FOX, and listen on the Dolphins Radio Network and view the Game Center for the latest coverage.