The New York Jets’ secondary showed up in a big way during their Week 13 win over the Atlanta Falcons - and they’ll need an encore performance this Sunday when they face a much tougher test in the Miami Dolphins.
Veteran corner Brandon Stephens was the standout, delivering what might’ve been his best game of the season in the 27-24 victory. According to Pro Football Focus, Stephens graded out as the Jets’ top defender in that game, and he’ll once again be tasked with leading the cornerback group in Week 14. With Jarvis Brownlee already ruled out due to a lingering hip injury, the pressure is squarely on Stephens and a reshuffled secondary to hold the line against one of the league’s most explosive offenses.
Brownlee’s absence is a significant one. The rookie corner was a late scratch ahead of the Falcons game and now appears to be dealing with a more serious issue than initially expected. That leaves the Jets thin at nickel, where Ja’Sir Taylor and Isaiah Oliver will likely rotate snaps to fill the void.
Stephens, meanwhile, is expected to draw the toughest assignment of the day: shadowing Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle. That’s no small task.
Waddle’s speed and route-running make him a nightmare in space, and the Dolphins have no shortage of ways to get him open. But Stephens has been up to the challenge lately, showing poise, physicality, and sharp instincts in coverage.
On the other side, rookie Azareye’h Thomas will once again start on the boundary. The Jets have leaned on him more heavily in recent weeks, and he’s responded with flashes of promise. He’ll need to grow up fast, though - especially against a Miami offense that thrives on creating mismatches and forcing young defenders into uncomfortable spots.
The last time these two teams met, back in Week 4, the Dolphins came out on top 27-21. Tua Tagovailoa was efficient and mistake-free, completing 17 of 25 passes for 177 yards and two touchdowns. The Jets’ defense didn’t do a bad job overall, but they couldn’t generate enough disruption to throw Miami off rhythm.
That’s the mission this time around: make Tagovailoa uncomfortable, limit yards after the catch, and force the Dolphins to earn every inch. If Stephens and the rest of the Jets’ corners can replicate their Week 13 performance - or even build on it - they’ll give New York a fighting chance in a crucial divisional matchup.
This is one of those games where a single coverage breakdown could be the difference between a win and a loss. The Jets know it. And with the AFC East still in play, there’s no room for missteps.