Who has the edge? Dolphins at Jets, to extend win streak to 4 and sweep rival

Here’s a look at how the Miami Dolphins (5-7) and New York Jets (3-9) match up in six key areas ahead of Sunday’s Week 14 game at MetLife Stadium (1 p.m., CBS):

When the Dolphins run: Miami goes the way of its run game. In the stretch of four wins in five games, the Dolphins have rushed for at least 141 yards in the games won and at least 164 during the three-game winning streak. Running back De’Von Achane is on a tear of 100-yard performances that have now put him at 1,000 yards on the season. Rookie Ollie Gordon II and second-year back Jaylen Wright are now both being used sparingly behind him.

Right tackle Austin Jackson’s return to the lineup for the first time since Week 1 brought more tenacity to the run game from his side, and right guard Cole Strange may have had his best game with Miami in the win against the New Orleans Saints. Meanwhile, center Aaron Brewer and left tackle Patrick Paul continue to do their thing, while the package of Daniel Brunskill as a sixth offensive lineman presents something the Jets didn’t see in the first meeting.

New York’s run defense is tied for 25th and no longer has Quinnen Williams on the defensive line after the trade with the Dallas Cowboys. Miami rushed for 123 yards against the Jets earlier this season. Expect them to do it even more this time around, especially in the first cold-weather game the Dolphins have played this year. Edge: Dolphins

When the Jets run: The Dolphins’ run defense has gone from consistently poor to on and off in recent weeks. They stopped the run in wins over the Atlanta Falcons, Buffalo Bills and against the Saints. They did not stop the run last time they faced the Jets, giving up 197 yards on the ground, but they did force the ball out for three fumble recoveries.

Running back Breece Hall remained on the roster after the trade deadline, and he has 834 rushing yards on the season, with a 4.5 average of yards per carry. It’s also Tyrod Tayler at quarterback for the Jets this time instead of Justin Fields. Taylor is still a run threat, although not as much as Fields.

New York’s No. 7 rushing offense goes against the Dolphins 29th-ranked run defense that, as mentioned, has been better in recent weeks. Linebacker Jordyn Brooks leads the NFL with 137 tackles. It’s just a matter of how much he’s making up for others in the wrong lanes or missing tackles and the defensive line helping keep blockers off of him. Edge: Jets

When the Dolphins pass: Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is trying to rebound from a rough performance against the Saints in which he was 12 of 23 for 157 yards and an interception while being largely inaccurate. He’s up to 14 interceptions on the season, tied for the league lead.

Related Articles

• Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa reflects on sliding short on key third down: ‘I got to be better’

• Dolphins Deep Dive: Prediction time — Can Miami continue winning streak vs. Jets? | VIDEO

• Dolphins Deep Dive: Should Grier get more respect after win streak? | VIDEO

• Dolphins Deep Dive: After slow start to season is mediocrity the goal? | VIDEO

• Dolphins Deep Dive: Can Miami continue to win in December? | VIDEO

• Dolphins Deep Dive: What’s wrong with Tua? | VIDEO

• Dolphins Q&A: Why has Tua Tagovailoa regressed? Anthony Weaver still a head coach candidate?

Last time against the Jets, the game in which Tyreek Hill was lost for the season, Darren Waller debuted for Miami and scored two touchdowns. He’s in his second game back from missing four games on IR with a pectoral injury. The Jets’ 10th-ranked pass defense, which no longer has cornerback Sauce Gardner in the secondary, should be varying its coverages to shift attention between Waller and wide receiver Jaylen Waddle. New York has not intercepted a pass all season, so something’s got to give.

Will McDonald has seven sacks to lead the Jets pass rush, as he and fellow edge rusher Jermaine Johnson can get after it. Jackson has his second game back protecting Tagovailoa’s blind side, and he shook some rust off in pass protection against New Orleans. Tagovailoa was sacked four times in the game, some of it coming down to coverage sacks. Edge: Jets

When the Jets pass: The Dolphins faced Fields last time and Taylor this time. Taylor is 1-2 in three starts this season, completing 60.8 percent of passes for 773 yards, five touchdowns and four interceptions. Against the Falcons last Sunday, he was 19 of 32 for 172 yards and a touchdown.

Top Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson is on injured reserve, but Adonai Mitchell, whom the Jets picked up in the trade with the Colts, had eight catches and 102 yards and a touchdown last Sunday. He will be a focal point for cornerbacks Jack Jones and Rasul Douglas, depending on which side he’s on, as one and then the other intercepted a pass for the first time with the Dolphins in the past two games. Hall must be accounted for out of the backfield. Rookie tight end Mason Taylor, the son of Dolphins great Jason Taylor, as well, after he had five catches for 65 yards in the first meeting.

The Dolphins pass rush finally has Chop Robinson going after he had 1 1/2 sacks against the Saints in his first start of the season and second of his career. He and Bradley Chubb can win on the edge against the Jets’ young first-round tackles they’re trying to develop in Olu Fashanu on the left side and Armand Membou at right tackle. Edge: Dolphins

Special teams: Dolphins kicker Riley Patterson continues to make his kicks, Jake Bailey is among the league’s best in punting this season, and Malik Washington is a solid returner. But the last special teams play we saw from Miami was the onside kick surrendered.

Now, the Jets have had two return touchdowns this season. Nick Folk has made all but one kick this season and hit the game-winner against the Falcons. And they blocked a field goal earlier this season. Edge: Even

Intangibles: Miami’s the team on a three-game winning streak and still holding on to slim hopes. The Dolphins are also visiting the site where their 2024 season was torn to shreds, so those coming back should remember that. It’ll be below 40 degrees, which Miami hasn’t played in this season. New York has traded some of its top players but is still playing hard. Edge: Dolphins

PREDICTION: Dolphins 20, Jets 17

Dolphins Deep Dive: Prediction time — Can Miami continue winning streak vs. Jets? | VIDEO