James Walker, ESPN Staff Writer 8y

Three keys for Dolphins against the Jets

The Miami Dolphins (4-6) will try to avoid the season sweep against the AFC East rival New York Jets (5-5) Sunday at MetLife Stadium. The Jets won the first meeting 27-14 at London's Wembley Stadium in Week 4.

Can Miami get revenge? Here are three keys for the Dolphins to even the series:

Key No. 1: Win in the trenches

The Dolphins were pounded in the trenches in their first meeting with the Jets. They must change that on both sides of the football to earn a season split. The Jets rushed for 207 yards and held the Dolphins to 59 in Week 4. New York running back Chris Ivory (166 yards) had a field day and punished Miami’s front seven even as the Dolphins were unable to establish the same physical presence on offense. Miami also cannot fall behind early and become one-dimensional, which will allow New York’s defensive line to focus on pressuring quarterback Ryan Tannehill.

Key No. 2: Reduce physical and mental errors

The Dolphins have not been a smart football team over the past month. They have lost three of their past four games, with penalties and physical and mental errors common themes in the defeats. Miami had nine penalties in the Week 11 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. Several of them negated positive plays that could have made a difference in an otherwise close game. Interim head coach Dan Campbell said reducing penalties was a major focus this week and he’s confident the team won’t have issues in those areas.

Key No. 3: Take advantage of no "Revis Island"

New York Pro Bowl cornerback Darrelle Revis is dealing with a concussion and not expected to play against the Dolphins, meaning things just got easier for Miami receivers Jarvis Landry, Rishard Matthews and Kenny Stills. Revis is a big part of New York’s scheme on defense and he has the ability to shut down any receiver he is covering. Without him, the Jets have fewer options in coverage and cannot be as comfortable and creative with their blitz packages.

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