As the Miami Dolphins approach their goal of winning the AFC East, the New York Jets decided for the second straight year that Zach Wilson isn’t up to par as a starting quarterback.
The Jets have dropped three straight games and are turning to journeyman Tim Boyle under center when they face the Dolphins in a Black Friday clash at East Rutherford, N.J.
New York (4-6) is tied for the 13th best record in the AFC and its dwindling playoff aspirations remain active solely because Aaron Rodgers continues to insist he can return this season from his Week 1 Achilles injury.
Of course, that means the Jets need to win games in the meantime. So the plug was pulled on Wilson, and Boyle is suddenly considered the team’s best chance to win games.
That’s interesting terrain, as the 29-year-old Boyle has made just three career NFL starts, all winless ones in 2021 for the Detroit Lions.
Boyle has thrown nine interceptions and just three touchdowns while throwing 120 NFL passes for four teams. He was 7 of 14 for 33 yards and one interception after replacing Wilson in a 32-6 loss to the host Buffalo Bills on Sunday.
Despite the lack of activity, Boyle is confident he will boldly steer the New York offense.
“You gotta feel like you’re dangerous out there,” Boyle said during his Tuesday media availability. “You can’t go into a play or a series with any doubts. So I think confidence is critical and I’m going in there and feeling like I’m the guy and that I’m not going to miss.”
Trevor Siemian will be New York’s backup quarterback, while Wilson will dress as the No. 3 signal caller.
The Jets have been outscored 75-24 during their three-game skid, so it made sense to coach Robert Saleh to take a different approach. New York’s offense ranks 30th in both scoring offense (15.0 points per game) and total offense (270.3 yards per game).
“He’s a different style of quarterback,” Saleh said of Boyle. “It’s really to give him an opportunity to see if we can do something with the offense.”
Miami (7-3) doesn’t have problems on the offensive side, as it leads the NFL in scoring (30.5 points per game) and total offense (434.0 yards per game).
Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa ranks second in touchdown passes (21) and third in passing yards (2,934). Wideout Tyreek Hill is enjoying a memorable campaign with league highs of 1,222 receiving yards and nine scoring receptions. Hill ranks second with 79 catches.
Though the Dolphins are a good bet to claim a second straight playoff berth, Tagovailoa doesn’t feel comfortable.
“Well, the job is not done,” Tagovailoa said. “There’s nothing accomplished to being 7-3.”
Miami has split its past four games. The Dolphins had a lot of trouble last weekend before finishing off a 20-13 home win over the Las Vegas Raiders.
Miami cornerback Jalen Ramsey made an interception in the end zone with 25 seconds left to secure the victory. It was his second pick of the game.
Standout rookie running back De’Von Achane (knee) was a limited practice participant on Tuesday. Achane returned from a four-game absence to play against Las Vegas but injured the same knee in the first quarter.
“He was politicking to try to come back in the game,” Miami coach Mike McDaniel said, “but I was a little worried … to go and do that. We kind of held him back.”
Running back Raheem Mostert (ankle/knee) and Hill (hand) also were limited in practice Tuesday. Robert Jones (knee) sat out practice while fellow guard Robert Hunt (hamstring) was limited.
Jets left tackle Duane Brown (hip) was a full participant on Tuesday and is expected to play for the first time since Week 2. Right tackle Mekhi Becton, who has been filling in on the left side, sustained ankle and knee injuries against Buffalo and didn’t practice.
Miami has won 10 of the past 13 meetings between the teams.
