Newsday from New York, New York • A68

FOOTBALL A68 ni ABOUT THE DOLPHINS Head coach: Todd Bowles (interim), first season (1-1). Top offenslw players: WRBrarxJcfiMar TE Anthony Fasano. Tap defensive players: LB Cameron Wake, C8 Vontae Davis, SYeremiah Bell. All they can control is own game, which won't be easy Three other games also will determine playoff fate KEY MATCHUP Three contests that affect the Jets' playoff chances the Titans' game in Houston being the exception dont kick off until right around the time the Jets-Dolphins game ahmilH be wrapping up. So if the Jets win and the Titans lose, the Jets could be in the air when they learn their fate.

"We will have a way to Ryan said. "Come on, please. Mike Tannenbaum is going to be on the same plane. Alas offKo Here's what the Jets need to happen to make the playoffs a Jets beat Dolphins a Bengals lose HEz. a Titans lose or tie a Either Raiders or Broncos lose or tie a fact that they were up 17-0 over New WnglanH, they just didnt quite get that one done.

But New England is a pretty good football team, the number one seed in the AFC currently. I think it just shows you how they're playing. "Their defense is playing about as good as anybody's in the league right now. Then, offensively, the quarterback is 11-rated, I think fourth in the AFC in passer rating, and thaf kind of under the radar. This is, obviously, going to be a big challenge for us." We will have a way of finding out There is no doubt about that We just got to get on there knowing that 'hey, we did our part We won, and well let the chips falL' They have no choice now that they're forced to rely on hope.

"You feel like if a missed opportunity that you had, the games that you could have won anH ahmilH have won, that you wouldn't be in this Moore said. "There's nothing else you can do about it You are just nitring there waiting anH hope that falls in your favor." Said Dustin Keller, "When we first came in here Monday and when Rex talked about the scenarios, that was the hardest thing, was just not to worry about other people and what they are doing and just win your own game. But now I think we are at the point where everybody, their only concern is the Dolphins. "So we are not going to worry about all that other stuff. We are just going to let it fall into place, and if it works, great If it doesn't at least we put our best effort forward." Let Rex Ryan sum it upc 'That one is going to be a good one," the Jets' coach said.

"There are two matchups that are a cant-miss. The obvious one is 'Jordan' DarreUe Revis versus Brandon Marshall and then Mangold versus Soliai. I will really enjoy it As a football fan, if hard not to appreciate that You have got a great player at nose tackle, you have gat the best center in football going at it So those are always good to watch." BY RODERICK BOONE roderkkbooncntwtdayjCom MIAMI When the Jets take the field at Sun Life Stadium this afternoon, they'll do so with a feeling of uncertainty. Control of their playoff fete slipped out of their grasp with last week's loss to the Giants. So here they are, in a precarious spot, needing several things to go right to reach the postseason.

"We've had plenty of opportunities not to be in this guard Brandon Moore said. To keep their season alive, the Jets (8-7) must beat the Dolphins (5-10) today and have three of four AFC teams they're battling lose. Otherwise, they have no shot at making the postseason for the third straight year under Rex Ryan a feat that would be a franchise best They're one game behind the Bengals (9-6) and sit in a three-way tie with the Titans and BroncosRaiders. A Jets win coupled with a Bengals loss to the Ravens, a Titans loss (or tie) to the Texans, anH either a Raiders loss (or tie) to the Chargers or a Broncos loss (or tie) to the Chiefs would give the Jets the AFC's sixth seed. "We are the wild linebacker Bart Scott said.

"The other stuff will probably happen. If up to us to make sure we handle what we are supposed to handle. They are playing welL They will stack the box, dare us to beat them in the air, and on offense run the ball, shorten the game. They have nothing to lose." Ryan has preached all week about the dangers the scrappy Dolphins will pose, even if leading rusher Reggie Bush is out with a knee injury. Quarterback Matt Moore's production has improved vastly since his first start of the season, which came in the Jets' 24-6 win in Week 6.

He tossed three touchdown passes against the Patriots last week, though he also had an interception and lost one of three fumbles in a three-point loss. "I just feel that this team is playing really well right now," Ryan said of the Dolphins. "The WHO'S GOT THE EDGE How the Jets and Dolphins stack up in the NFL JETS DOLPHINS Scoring 2Q7(Zlst) Passing offense Lggfr Rushing offense 1042 (21st) I Pokits allowed 22.9 (22nd) JSfclMBlJ Passing defense 249.8 (2tth) 5 (15th) Ruahbvj defense 113 LOOKING AHEAD If the planets line up correctly and face the Texans in Houston either 3 i the Jets make the playoffs, they'll Saturday or next Sunday. The running game is key for the Dolphins as Matt Moore hands off to Daniel Thomas. Reggie Bush is out.