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We constantly write about how Zach Wilson is mainly a one-read QB. A lot of his big throws in his standout second-half performance in the Jets win over Houston were certainly one read throws.
However, you need to give credit where credit is due, and in the fourth quarter, Wilson had an excellent second-read throw.
Early in the fourth quarter, Wilson looked left and then turned his head to the right side and hit tight end Jeremy Ruckert for a 19-yard gain.
They need to see more of this . . .
It’s hard seeing Miami putting up a lot of points on the Jets defense in this game. Their offensive line is unmitigated disaster. Their starting center, Connor Williams, is out for year, and his backup, Liam Eichenberg is questionable for this game, so it’s possible they will have to start a center off the practice squad.
And right guard Robert Hunt is out, and with Eichenberg either starting at center or missing the game, they might be down to a third-string guard filling in for Hunt.
A banged-up offense line, against one of the NFL’s best defensive lines, is a recipe for disaster for Miami.
“Tua has issues when he’s under pressure when he can’t get the ball out on time and to the first read,” said a long-time Dolphin observer. “This is a Jets defensive line that is going to feast. Their offensive line situation is a disaster.” . . .
On the flip side, the Jets could also have major issues in protection.
In the Dolphins’ Black Friday game, the Jets’ offensive line had problems all game against the talented Miami front.
While Dolphins’ talented defensive end Jaelen Phillips tore his achilles in that game and is out for the year, keep in mind, a player who gave the Jets fits in that game was his backup, Emmanuel Ogbah.
So even without Phillips, the combination of Ogbah and Bradley Chubb at end, with some Andrew Van Ginkel mixed in, and with the Jets struggling at the offensive tackle position, this could be a tough day for the Jets in protection. Let’s also not forget that with Wes Schweitzer getting reinjured, the Jets will be playing with a third-string right guard, and expect Dolphins star defensive tackle Christian Wilkins to line up over whoever the Jets start there.
Considering both teams have talented defensive lines and how patchwork both offensive lines are, don’t expect this game to be a shootout . . .
While Tyreek Hill is iffy with an ankle injury, to act like the Dolphins can’t be explosive offensively without him, is foolish.
“We’re operating as if he’s playing and if he doesn’t play, then they’ve got a whole host of track stars that can do it, not do what he does but still execute the offense the way it needs to be executed.,” said Jets coach Robert Saleh.
They also have Jaylen Waddle, Braxton Berrios, Cedrick Wilson, Chase Claypool and Robbie Chosen (Anderson).
“They’re still dynamic,” Saleh said of the Dolphins without Hill.
So don’t sleep on the Dolphins without Hill, though, as we mentioned before, they could have major pass protection issues this week.
December 15, 2023
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