This is going to be a season-long blog where we take a look at the starting matchups of my opponents and compare them to the starters on the Jets. We will be using the depth charts of our opponents as a reference for their starters. We are also going to take a look at the three biggest threats on the opposing team and identify any possible weaknesses to exploit.
| Quarterbacks | ||
| Zach Wilson (73) | –> | Tua Tagovailoa (75) |
| Halfbacks | ||
| Michael Carter (76) | –> | Raheem Mostert (78) |
| Wide Receivers | ||
| Corey Davis (79) | –> | Tyreek Hill (97) |
| Elijah Moore (79) | –> | Jaylen Waddle (85) |
| Garrett Wilson (76) | <– | Cedrick Wilson (75) |
| Tight Ends | ||
| C.J. Uzomah (79) | –> | Mike Gesicki (87) |
| Tyler Conklin (78) | <– | Durham Smythe (68) |
| Offensive Linemen | ||
| 78 Overall | <– | 77 |
| Defensive Linemen | ||
| John Franklin-Myers (81) | –> | Emmanuel Ogbah (83) |
| Carl Lawson (83) | <– | Ndamukong Suh (81) |
| Quinnen Williams (86) | <– | Mike Pennel (72) |
| Linebackers | ||
| Quincy Williams (72) | –> | Melvin Ingram (84) |
| C.J. Mosley (82) | <– | Jerome Baker (79) |
| Kwon Alexander (75) | –> | Jaelan Phillips (77) |
| Defensive Backs | ||
| D.J. Reed Jr (80) | –> | Xavien Howard (90) |
| Sauce Gardner (78) | <– | Nik Needham (75) |
| Ashtyn Davis (74) | –> | Jevon Holland (82) |
| Chris Harris (84) | <– | Eric Rowe (80) |
The Miami Dolphins have one, if not, the fastest offense in the league. Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, and Raheem Mostert are all challenging to stop on their own and combined in the same offense is almost unstoppable. The New York Jets have one of the better defenses in the league but they lack top end speed in the secondary. It will be important for the corners not to press up and get beat over the top. However, by playing back, the Jets will be inviting the Dolphins to run the ball. The Jets front seven will have their work cut out for them in containing the edges and forcing Mostert to beat them up the middle.
Players to Watch –
Tyreek Hill –
99 speed and 99 acceleration.. You really don’t understand how fast that is until you play with Tyreek Hill. He has the ability to out run a defender even if he is backed off. Tyreek’s ‘Grab-N-Go’ ability enhances that already blazing speed. He is able to take a 5 yard catch and turn up field on a dime. The Dolphins gave up a lot for Tyreek Hill in real life and he is a crucial piece to Miami’s offense, even if he isn’t the one being targeted that particular play. Having Hill in motion is a huge weapon to disguise playaction and down field plays to his partner in crime, Jaylen Waddle.
Xavien Howard –
Acrobat. The best ability of Madden 22 is back for Madden 23 and it is just as powerful as it was last Madden. Howard is formidable on his own, but with the acrobat ability, he can leap from halfway across the numbers to swat or pick off a ball. He also has the ‘pick artist’ ability that gives him unlimited stamina once he has the ball in his hands. The Jets are going to want to keep the targets to Howard at a minimum, if any at all. Zach Wilson has a huge arm but lately his accuracy has failed him, although, it may be too tempting not to toss the ball up to Garett Wilson and Elijah Moore if they have a step on Howard.
Terron Armstead –
The offensive line logic is extremely buggy this Madden, but Terron Armstead is a force to reckon with on the left side of the line. He has two protector abilities that give him enhanced resistance against both inside and outside rushers. He is a better pass blocker than run blocker, but somehow to this point in the season, Armstead has given up the most sacks in the league. It’s possible some of the sacks aren’t his fault and it’s the faut of the quarterback’s holding the ball too long. Either way, Armstead is still an offensive piece to account for and the Jets front four will have to take advantage of their matchups against the rest of the offensive linemen for the Dolphins.
Game Recap –
Tua Tagovailoa was named the starter for the game against the Jets and despite getting a 31-24 victory, his performance was abysmal. This game was a letdown for the Jets, lets rewind the tape to the first quarter when they got out to a quick lead after two interceptions that were forced into coverage by Tua. The New York Jets had a 14 point lead at 5 minutes left in the first quarter. The Jets have had a very hard time playing with a lead this season. We have seen them lost to the Ravens and the Bengals after having a lead going into the fourth quarter and this game was similar to the others. The game was tied at 17 coming out of halftime and the Jets started off with the ball, but like we’ve seen time after time this season, Zach Wilson forced a pass underneath to Corey Davis despite the route heading towards the sidelines. Wilson underthrew the route and Nik Needham intercepted the pass for a pick 6. The Dolphins would eventually tie the game at 24, but they allowed Tua and the Dolphins offense to drive down the field and score the go ahead touchdown on the ground.
The Jets were without star rookie halfback Breece Hall and Zach Wilson was forced to throw the ball 46 times. The rushing attack for the Jets was lacking and they only had 59 yards on the ground. Garrett Wilson racked in two touchdowns on 8 receptions and Ashtyn Davis kept the Jets in the game with two interceptions of his own. The Jets were able to sack Tua 5 times and despite giving up 31 points to the Dolphins, the defense of the Jets really played well enough to win this game. Tyreek Hill was held to 2 catches for 6 yards and Jaylen Waddle was held to 3 catches for 43 yards. The New York Jets are going to have to shake off this close loss quickly because they have to travel to Green Bay next week. Aaron Rodgers may have lost his most dangerous weapon in the offseason, but the Packers offense doesn’t seem to be slowing down as they are coming into this game with just one loss on the season.
