NFL Playoffs Wild Card Race — NY Jets Vs. Miami: Dolphins Need To Win Without Ryan Tannehill In Week 15

As Week 15 gets underway, the Miami Dolphins and Denver Broncos are tied for sixth place in AFC, representing the final Wild Card spot for the conference in the NFL playoffs. Unfortunately for Miami (8-5), they will have to compete for at least the next two weeks without starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill. Matt Moore will be starting for the Dolphins in Week 15, a game they need to win as they compete for an AFC Wild Card spot and a playoff berth. Their opponents, the New York Jets (4-9), are one of the worst teams in the conference. With Miami relying on a back-up quarterback, will New York be able to ruin this all-important game for the Dolphins on Saturday?

Meanwhile, the Denver Broncos are hosting the New England Patriots on Sunday night. The Patriots have already earned a bye in the first round — and therefore home-field advantage in the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs — but are still fighting for the AFC’s No. 1 seed, guaranteeing home-field advantage all the way to the Super Bowl, should they make it that far. Denver’s final two opponents aren’t much easier, as they face the Kansas City Chiefs (10-3) in Week 16 and the Oakland Raiders (10-3) in Week 17. With the competition so stiff, the Dolphins can’t afford to lose a game to a team like the Jets.

Week 15 Injury Updates

According to Friday afternoon’s injury report from CBS Sports, as many as five defensive players could be joining Ryan Tannehill on the sidelines against the Jets. Like Tannehill, defensive lineman Dion Jordan is listed as “out” for Saturday’s game due to a knee injury. Four other players are listed as “questionable,” including defensive back Chimdi Chekwa (hamstring injury), defensive lineman Mario Williams (ankle injury), and linebackers Kiko Alonso (hamstring injury) and Jelani Jenkins (knee injury). While Tannehill will definitely be out for Week 15 and Week 16, CBS Sports also reports that he could return for Week 17.

The New York Jets, by comparison, have a much longer list of injuries headed into their game for Week 15. Two defensive players are officially listed as out for Saturday’s game, including defensive lineman Steve McLendon (hamstring injury) and linebacker Erin Henderson (undisclosed injury). Running back Matt Forte (knee injury) is considered questionable after a limited practice on Thursday, which can also be said for five other players on the team. Four more players did not practice at all on Thursday but haven’t yet been ruled out for Saturday’s game.

Predictions: Top Performers For Fantasy Football — Dolphins at Jets

According to standard fantasy football scoring provided by the NFL, the New York Jets vs. Miami Dolphins game isn’t projected to have many big performers for players who still have a team alive in their fantasy league. Miami running back Jay Ajayi (15.20 points) is expected to be the biggest contributor of the game, with New York running back Bilal Powell (13.00 points) projected to bring home the highest point total for the Jets. Neither starting quarterback for Saturday’s game is expected to be a Top 25 performer at their position this week, with New York’s Brandon Marshall (11.60 points) and Miami’s Kenny Stills (10.80 points) expected to have the biggest games at wide receiver.

Both the Miami Dolphins defense and New York Jets defense (6.00 points) are projected to perform adequately, while neither team has a tight end that is expected to do much. Jets kicker Nick Folk (8.00 points) is projected to just make the cut as a Top 10 kicker for Week 15.

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Remaining Miami Dolphins Schedule — 2016

After traveling to New York to play the Jets in Week 15, the Miami Dolphins have another Saturday game on Christmas Eve as they travel to play the Buffalo Bills (6-7) for Week 16. They finish the 2016 regular NFL season at home against the New England Patriots (11-2), who currently lead the AFC East.

Remaining New York Jets Schedule — 2016

Interestingly, the New York Jets play the same two teams in Week 16 and Week 17 as their Week 15 opponents, the Dolphins. While Miami plays in Buffalo next week, the Jets travel to Foxborough to play the New England Patriots. Then they finish the regular season at home when they host the Buffalo Bills.

Where to Watch New York Jets vs. Miami Dolphins

Saturday’s Week 15 match-up featuring the Miami Dolphins at New York Jets will be played at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The game will be televised exclusively on the NFL Network with coverage beginning at 8:25 p.m. EST. The game can be heard live on Westwood One Radio and can be viewed online with a subscription to NFL Game Pass.

[Featured Image by Chris Trotman/Getty Images]