Can the Dolphins come up with the defensive backs to deal with a high-level passing game? Can they get the ball downfield on offense? Can Chad Henne mature in time to lead the kind of playoff drive Chad Pennington did last year?
And that’s the team that won the 30-25 thriller. As for the Jets . . .
Has the league caught up with Mark Sanchez? Do the Jets have a prayer of moving the ball offensively the way he’s playing, given the devastating loss of Leon Washington? What’s up with the special teams? Can this club do anything but play defense?
Most of what’s whipped New England into a frenzy recently - can the Patriots (5-2) find a third receiver; is BenJarvus Green-Ellis getting enough reps - seems pretty minor.
“Sometimes, things just don’t make sense,’’ Jets coach Rex Ryan said after the loss. “Statistically, this game is not going to look close. I truly feel our football team is good enough to beat anybody in this league. But we also can lose to anybody in this league if we spot a team three touchdowns. That’s about it. It’s a huge loss for us.’’
Truth be told, it’s not one to be making excuses after, either.
Kick-return touchdowns, like Dolphin Ted Ginn’s twin runbacks, will infuriate coaches. Cheap fumbles, like the Jets’ Shonn Greene’s bobble in the third quarter, which was picked up by Jason Taylor and run back 48 yards for a touchdown, have a similar effect.
Maybe it’s the fluky stuff. Or maybe it’s indicative of a team struggling find consistency, and making big mistakes in big spots as a result. Sanchez threw a costly fourth-quarter pick against Buffalo. A blown coverage over the top allowed Ginn’s big touchdown in the Jets’ loss in Miami in October.
Ryan’s right about the stats. The Jets gained 378 yards to the Dolphins’ 104, and controlled the ball for 34:06. The defense answered the bell after getting torched by Miami in October, and there were encouraging signs. But it wasn’t a win.
“I think we played good football,’’ Jets linebacker Bart Scott said. “We gave up some big plays, but the last time, the defense went out there and embarrassed ourselves. I think we responded well. We gave up 104 yards, if you want to call that sloppy.
