Miami Dolphins vs New York Jets Picks and Predictions December 8th 2024

Miami Dolphins vs New York Jets December 8th 2024

The Dolphins are heavily favored in their week 14 matchup against the Jets, with the money line sitting at -299 for Miami. The game, set for 1:00 ET on Sunday, December 8th at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, FL, is being televised on CBS. The Jets’ money line odds are +241, and they are +6.5 point underdogs on the road. The over/under line is 45.5 points.

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New York vs. Miami Key Information

• Teams: Jets at Dolphins
• Where: Hard Rock Stadium Miami Gardens
• Date: Sunday, December 8th
• Betting Odds MIA -299 | NYJ +241 O/U 45.5

The Jets Can Win If…

Heading into week 14, the Jets have lost three straight games, including a 26-21 home loss to the Seahawks in week 13. New York was a 1.5-point favorite in that game, but they couldn’t get the win, dropping their record to 3-9. The Jets are now 3rd in the AFC East and 12th in the conference, and our power rankings have them 20th going into this week.

With their current record, the Jets have a -3.6 average scoring margin and a 3-9 ATS record. They’ve failed to cover in three straight games, including two where they were favored. Their O/U record stands at 6-5-1, with the over hitting in their last two games.

Heading into week 14, the Jets are 22nd in our offensive power rankings. They average 18.8 points per game, which ranks 25th in the NFL, and 291.3 yards per game, placing them 30th. Despite being 6th in passing attempts, they are 23rd in passing yards, with 204 per game. On the ground, they rank 29th in both rushing attempts and yards, averaging 87.3 rushing yards per game. New York ranks 12th in 3rd-down conversions and 11th in red zone efficiency, converting 32.4% of their opportunities.

In week 13, the Jets scored 21 points, all in the first half, against Seattle. Aaron Rodgers threw for 185 yards, completing 21 of 39 passes, with 2 touchdowns and 1 interception. Breece Hall led the team with 60 rushing yards on 12 carries, while Davante Adams had 5 catches for 66 yards and a touchdown. The Jets converted 5 of 13 3rd-down attempts and went 2/3 in the red zone.

Despite their 26-21 loss to the Seahawks, the Jets’ defense held Seattle to just 84 rushing yards on 23 attempts. The Jets’ defense also had a good day in the passing game, allowing only 175 passing yards and holding Seattle to a 30.8% third-down conversion rate. They also recorded three sacks and won the tackles for loss differential.

Overall, the Jets’ defense limited the Seahawks to 259 total yards. However, they did give up one passing touchdown and allowed Seattle to finish with a 64.5% completion percentage.

• The Jets have gone 0-3 over their last three regular season games. Against the spread, New York went 0-3 in these games and finished with an over-under mark of 2-1.
• Through their last ten regular season contests, New York has a record of 2-8. Across these games, their ATS record was just 2-8, while posting an over-under record of 5-5.

The Dolphins Can Win If…

After three straight wins, the Dolphins couldn’t keep their streak going in week 13, falling 30-17 to the Packers. This puts Miami at 5-7, leaving them 9th in the AFC and 17th in our power rankings. They have a 8.9% chance of making the playoffs heading into week 14.

Against the spread, the Dolphins are 5-7, with a -2.8 average scoring margin. Their O/U record is also 5-7, with their games averaging 41.5 points compared to a 45-point line.

Heading into week 14, the Dolphins rank 20th in our offensive power rankings. They are 23rd in the NFL in points per game, averaging 19.3, and 19th in passing yards per game with 217.8. Miami ranks 11th in 3rd-down conversions with a 40.6% success rate and is 15th in red zone conversion percentage.

Tua Tagovailoa has been playing well, throwing for 365 yards (37/46) and 2 touchdowns in week 13. He had a passer rating of 114 in that game and has not thrown an interception in his last three games. Jonnu Smith led the team in receiving in week 13, with 10 catches for 113 yards.

In their 30-17 loss to the Packers, the Dolphins’ defense allowed 388 total yards. They struggled to generate pressure, finishing with no sacks and losing the quarterback hit differential by -3. Miami gave up 114 rushing yards on 25 attempts and allowed Green Bay to average 9.8 yards per pass attempt.

The Dolphins allowed two passing touchdowns, and opposing quarterbacks completed 75% of their passes against them. Miami also struggled on third downs, allowing the Packers to convert 45.5% of their third down attempts.

• Through their last three games, the Dolphins have a record of 2-1. Against the spread, the team is 2-1 in these same games while going 3-0 on the over/under.
• Miami has put together a record of 5-5 in their last ten games (regular season). In these contests, the team went just 4-6 against the spread, while going 5-5 on the over-under.

The Lean

Our pick vs. the spread is to take the Dolphins to cover as 6.5-point favorites in this week 14 matchup against the Jets. We have the Dolphins winning by a score of 26-16.

For an over/under pick, we are leaning towards the under, with a projected combined score of 42 points and the O/U line sitting at 45.5 points.

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Dolphins Look to Keep Slim Playoff Hopes Alive Against Struggling Jets

The Miami Dolphins are back home and aiming to reignite their postseason push as they host the New York Jets in an AFC East showdown on Sunday. While the Dolphins cling to faint playoff hopes, the Jets are playing for pride in a season mired in turmoil.

Dolphins Aim to Rebound After Packers Loss

The Dolphins (5-7) return to Hard Rock Stadium after a 30-17 road loss to the Green Bay Packers. The defeat highlighted Miami’s defensive struggles, with 20 missed tackles allowing Green Bay an additional 132 yards.

Linebacker Jordyn Brooks didn’t mince words after the game: “I thought we were soft. Simple as that.”

Head coach Mike McDaniel addressed those comments during a midweek press conference, focusing on accountability and resilience. “Holding people accountable is an example of how you can impact toughness,” McDaniel said. “All I assess is the tape, and what I see are guys aggressively tackling and taking on hits.”

Despite the setback, Miami remains mathematically alive in the playoff race, though the margin for error is razor-thin. Currently two games behind the Denver Broncos for the final AFC wild-card spot, the Dolphins must win their remaining five games—including a Week 18 rematch against the Jets—to have any realistic chance. The New York Times playoff simulator pegs their odds at just 13%.

Jets Face Uphill Battle Amid Turmoil

For the Jets (3-9), this season has been one of disappointment and dysfunction. The team has lost eight of its last nine games, including three in a row, leading to midseason firings of head coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas. Interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich is 1-6 since taking over, struggling to stabilize the team.

Veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who turned 41 this week, continues to start despite a season far below his Pro Bowl standards. Rodgers remains determined to finish the season strong, saying, “We get paid for 17 weeks—not 10, not five. If you’re a starter, you want to play all the games. I have a lot of pride.”

The Jets’ offense has shown flashes of promise, primarily through wide receiver Garrett Wilson, who is on pace for his third straight 1,000-yard season. However, running back Breece Hall is enduring a career-worst year, with a 4.2-yard rushing average and six fumbles—double his total from the previous two seasons combined. Injuries to key offensive linemen Morgan Moses and Alijah Vera-Tucker further complicate the Jets’ situation.

On defense, the absence of standout cornerback Sauce Gardner (hamstring) could leave the Jets vulnerable against Miami’s dynamic passing attack.

Key Matchups and Injury Report

Both teams are dealing with injuries to key players.

Miami Dolphins

• Tyreek Hill (wrist): The star wideout did not practice Wednesday but plans to play Sunday.
• Terron Armstead (knee): The veteran left tackle sat out practice but remains hopeful for game day.
• Calais Campbell (rest): The defensive tackle is managing his workload but should suit up.

New York Jets

• Sauce Gardner (hamstring): The All-Pro cornerback’s status is uncertain after missing practice.
• Breece Hall (knee): The Jets’ leading rusher was also absent from practice, further straining their backfield.
• Morgan Moses and Alijah Vera-Tucker (injuries): Both offensive linemen are questionable for Sunday.

What’s at Stake

For Miami, Sunday’s game represents a must-win scenario to stay in the playoff hunt. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has been efficient since returning from injury, leading the Dolphins to five games of 23+ points in their last six outings. With weapons like Hill and Waddle, Miami’s offense is poised to exploit the Jets’ injury-plagued secondary.

Conversely, the Jets are seeking to salvage pride amid a season of upheaval. Garrett Wilson’s consistency offers a rare bright spot, but the lack of a cohesive offensive line and questions surrounding Aaron Rodgers’ mobility loom large.

Prediction and Final Thoughts

The Dolphins are better positioned to win this matchup, leveraging home-field advantage and a more stable offensive core. The Jets’ injuries and organizational instability make an upset unlikely. A victory for Miami would keep their slim playoff hopes alive, while the Jets will continue their march toward an offseason overhaul.

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Key Takeaway

The Dolphins must seize this opportunity to solidify their playoff aspirations. The Jets, meanwhile, remain in search of solutions to avoid another lost season.