EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ — One of the last playoff spots in the league will be determined on Sunday afternoon as the Miami Dolphins look to win their way into the postseason when they visit the New York Jets.

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Miami Dolphins (8-8) vs. New York Jets (4-12)

• When: Sunday, January 5
• Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
• Where: MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, N.J.)
• Channel: FOX
• Stream: FuboTV (Free Trial), DirecTV Stream, Sling

The Dolphins, despite all of the adversity they have faced this season, can still punch their ticket to the playoffs. With grit and willpower, they bounced back from losing six of their first eight games of the season to win six of their previous eight, including a 20-3 whipping of the Cleveland Browns last Sunday. Along with beating the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams, Miami looks like they could be a threat if they can sneak into the postseason.

However, the Dolphins will need some help if they want their season to continue. Along with having to beat the Jets, they need the Denver Broncos to lose to the Kansas City Chiefs, who are resting some key players.

The Jets are eyeing a pretty comfortable spot in this year’s NFL Draft. Thanks to complete disarray with the trainwreck that is this franchise, the other team that plays in New Jersey has been just as bad as the other. The team heads into the final week of the season, having lost six of its last seven games, only beating the lowly Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 15.

The Jets did give the Dolphins a run for their money in Week 14, with Miami needing overtime to come out on top. The Dolphins have won 12 of the last 14 meetings with the Jets.

MY PICK: Dolphins win, 21-17

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With the Miami Heat exploring offers for veteran star Jimmy Butler league-wide, there’s no telling how many contenders will come forth with a trade package.

The Heat’s preference to acquire win-now pieces in exchange for the 35-year-old trims down the list of possible destinations a sizeable amount. One organization that could offer a mix of established talent and future assets is Miami’s in-state rival, the Orlando Magic.

If the Magic are to acquire the six-time All-Star, The Sporting News’ Stephen Noh predicted the blockbuster deal to look similar to the following:

Magic receive: Jimmy Butler

Heat receive: Jonathan Isaac, Cole Anthony, Anthony Black, up to four first-round picks

This move gives the Magic an unstoppable trio at shooting guard, small forward, and power forward with Butler, Paolo Banchero, and Franz Wagner. Not having to part with guard Jalen Suggs in this proposed trade is also a huge benefit, as he would act as the primary facilitator for this hypothetical Big Three.

Isaac gives the Heat an elite defender, but the issue is he simply struggles to stay healthy. The main appeal of the package is the promising guard duo of Anthony and Black. Despite neither flashing serious All-Star potential so far in their NBA careers, both are less than 25 years old.

Under coach Erik Spoelstra’s leadership and the Heat’s development program, the sky is the limit.

MORE HEAT NEWS

NBA Insider Reveals When Miami Heat Plan To Trade Jimmy Butler

NBA MVP ‘Pushed’ For His Team To Acquire Jimmy Butler Yet Heat Refused To Engage

Anthony Pasciolla works as a contributing writer to Miami Heat On SI. He can be reached at ampasciolla@gmail.com or follow him on X @AnthonyPasci.

Anthony Weaver was a legitimate NFL head coach candidate last offseason and his work in his first year as Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator has only helped his cause.

Weaver, who interviewed for the openings with the Atlanta Falcons and Washington Commanders last year, figures to get more interviews in this cycle, and a couple of potential landing spots already have been identified.

Even more specific, Weaver has been identified as a strong candidate for the head coaching job with the Chicago Bears, which was vacated when the team fired Matt Eberflus last in the season, according to NFL reporter Diana Russini of The Athletic.

In a story published Saturday, Russini wrote the folllowing about the Bears’ coaching search: “The Bears are gearing up for their head-coaching search, and a few big names are already on their radar: Vrabel, Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores, Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury and Weaver, the Dolphins’ DC. GM Ryan Poles has been doing serious homework on these candidates, particularly Weaver.”

Additionally, Russini wrote that if the Jacksonville Jaguars end up firing head coach Doug Pederson, Weaver would be among the candidates who would be in consideration.

That Weaver would be a hot candidate is no surprise at all, given all the rave reviews he’s gotten at all of his stops, not to mention the Dolphins’ performance on defense this season.

Weaver is aware of his situation, but his focus was solely on trying to get the Dolphins into the playoffs when he conducted his weekly media session Thursday.

“It’s funny because I spoke to my agent last night and he’s like, ‘What are you doing to prepare for those ops?’ ” Weaver said Thursday. “I’m like absolutely nothing. Absolutely nothing. Yeah, I’m so focused right now. I’m just controlling what we control, beating the Jets and praying that we get the help we need in order to continue this run. Because I think if we can get in, if we’re blessed with that opportunity, we can make some noise.”

With one game left in the 2024 regular season, we easily can make the determination that the hiring of Weaver to replace Vic Fangio as defensive coordinator was a massive hit for the Dolphins.

The team will go into the season finale against the New York Jets ranked third in the NFL in total defense and tied for eighth in points allowed — all this despite not having Bradley Chubb all season and having Jaelan Phillips for only a month.

The defense also produced the team MVP in lineman Zach Sieler.

If the Dolphins indeed are to make some noise in the first few weeks of January, it’s more than likely it will have to be the defense leading the way given Tua Tagovailoa’s uncertain status because of his hip injury and injuries on the offensive line.

If the Dolphins don’t make any kind of run, Weaver’s focus then would shift to his personal opportunities and the Weaver watch will go into full effect.

And if it turns out he’s one-and-done because he becomes a head coach elsewhere, Weaver can leave knowing he did a great job in his short stint in Miami.