Jets-Dolphins Spread at New York -2: Week 4 NFL London
Carrie Stroup here with your Jets-Dolphins spread for Sunday’s London game that kicks off earlier than usual 9:30 am Eastern Standard Time.
NEW YORK JETS (2-1) vs. MIAMI DOLPHINS (1-2)
Wembley Stadium - London, England
Kickoff: Sunday, 9:30 a.m. ET
Sportsbook.ag Line: New York -2, Total: 41.5
The AFC East takes on a whole new meaning in Week 4 as divisions rival Jets and Dolphins travel across the pond to kick off Sunday’s games in London.
Both New York and Miami are coming off of disappointing losses at home last week (SU and ATS), and will be seeking to establish a foothold in their highly competitive division.
The Jets opened the season 2-0 (SU and ATS) on the strength of their stout defense, with QB Ryan Fitzpatrick ably filling in for an injured Geno Smith (jaw), before falling in Week 3 by a 24-17 score to a revitalized Eagles team. The Dolphins’ lone win came in Week 1 against the Redskins, and they have lost two straight since, including last week’s 41-14 blowout at home against the Bills when QB Ryan Tannehill threw three picks and lost a fumble.
This series is an even 5-5 SU (Jets 5-3-2 ATS) this decade with the past six SU winners curiously all coming on the road. Neither team has a true home advantage (or disadvantage) this week in Wembley Stadium, but both clubs have multiple positive betting trends.
New York is 48-29 ATS in non-home games versus AFC East foes since 1992, while its Sunday opponent is 0-6 ATS after allowing 375+ total yards in 2 straight games in the past three seasons. Miami falls into the category of slow starting offensive teams (7 or less PPG in first half), after allowing 40+ points in their previous game going 49-19 ATS as underdogs since 1983. Also its Sunday opponent is 10-22 ATS versus terrible defenses (375+ YPG allowed) since 1992.
The Dolphins are pretty healthy as they make the trip to England, but could be without TE Dion Sims (concussion) and OT Branden Albert (hamstring), who are both questionable.
The Jets are expected to see the return of RB Chris Ivory (groin), which should be a boon to their running game over last week’s paltry 47-yard performance. They’ll be keeping an eye on WR Eric Decker (knee), who sat last week and is questionable for Week 4, as well as questionable offensive players TE Jeff Cumberland (head) and WR Chris Owusu (knee).
New York’s offense has been middle of the pack through three weeks, scoring an average of 22.7 PPG (17th of 32). Over the first three games of the season the Jets have increasingly relied on QB Ryan Fitzpatrick and the passing game, while their rushing attack has decreased from 154 yards to 101 to just 47 yards again the Eagles last week. The Jets offense looked anemic all around in Week 3, losing twice as many turnovers (4) as they had in the previous two weeks combined. The absence of RB Chris Ivory and top WR Eric Decker no doubt contributed to the lackluster performance.
The Jets defense has been the bright spot of the young season, as Gang Green leads the league in fewest points allowed (41) and most turnovers generated (11). Under the leadership of defensive-minded head coach Todd Bowles and reenergized by the return of prodigal son CB Darrelle Revis (hamstring, probable), the Jets have been stout against the passing game, holding opponents to just 191.7 YPG.
Revis isn’t the only bright spot in New York’s secondary, as teammates CB Antonio Cromartie, S Marcus Gilchrist, CB Calvin Pryor, and S Marcus Williams have all contributed at least one takeaway. The Jets’ run defense, while still effective, has proven to be more pedestrian, allowing an 18th-best average of 106.7 YPG, but only one score on the year.
Miami is among the least productive offensive teams in the league so far, generating just 17.0 PPG (27th of 32). The Dolphins have a capable quarterback in QB Ryan Tannehill (85.5 rating, 5 TD, 3 INT), but have failed to surround him with a reliable supporting cast. The Dolphins offensive line has been a sieve, allowing Tannehill to be sacked seven times, while the running game has been largely non-existent. Miami’s running backs, led by RB Lamar Miller (3.5 YPC), have gained only 72.7 YPG and have yet to find the end zone this season. The Dolphins’ receiving corps have two bright stars in WRs Jarvis Landry and Rishard Matthews, who have combined for almost half of Tannehill’s targets this year. TE Jordan Cameron has proven to be a force of nature when healthy, but too frequently he's a mainstay on his team’s injury list.
The bigger disappointment in South Florida has been the Miami defense, which has failed to live up to expectations, most recently giving up 428 total yards and 41 points in last Sunday’s drubbing by Buffalo. The offseason acquisition of DL Ndamukong Suh has yet to pay off for the Dolphins, who have registered a league-worst one sack (courtesy of DT Jordan Phillips). That trend can be expected to continue in London, as the Jets’ offensive line has allowed only two sacks on the season. The lack of an effective pass rush has allowed Miami’s opponents to hang six passing touchdowns on the Dolphins over three games, while the run defense has been abysmal, allowing 145.0 YPG, which ranks second-worst in the league.
- Carrie Stroup, Gambling911.com Senior Reporter
