MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The Miami Dolphins are the heaviest favorites of Week 12, and when you compare their roster to that of the New York Jets, it’s easy to see why.
The Dolphins have the edge at every position group except for linebacker, running back (due to Miami injuries), and perhaps tight end.
Miami has a better quarterback, superior wide receivers, a more dependable offensive line, a better pass rush, and yes, a better secondary in general and cornerback room in particular.
Comparing Cornerback Tandems for Miami Dolphins, New York Jets
Certainly, the Jets have some studs at CB. Sauce Gardner is the reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year, and D.J. Reed is a very capable running mate. But they’re simply inferior to the duo that the Dolphins will send out Sunday in the Meadowlands.
Now that Jalen Ramsey is back, the Dolphins have not just the best set of corners in the AFC East but perhaps all of football. (Ramsey earned PFN NFL Defensive Player of the Week honors after his two-pick game against the Raiders.)
Also in the conversation are the Cowboys, Ravens, Seahawks, 49ers, and Chiefs. The Dolphins will see two of those teams down the stretch.
But their more pressing concern? Finding ways to score enough points against Sauce and Reed.
MORE: The Zone Defense That’s Slowing Down the Miami Dolphins Offense
They presumably won’t need too many, with Tim Boyle the new starter for a broken Jets offense.
As we explore in our Week 12 episode of the PFN Miami Dolphins Podcast, the return of Ramsey has transformed a good Dolphins defense into an excellent one.
The head-to-head stats between the Jets’ corners and the Dolphins’ isn’t even close. Howard and Ramsey have allowed just 57.6% of passes thrown their way to be completed for 5.3 yards per target, four interceptions, one touchdown, and a passer rating of 49.6.
As for Gardner and Reed? 66.2%, 6.7, 0, 1, and 49.6.
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