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          NFL Nation

          Jets continue AARP tour: From Beast Mode to Dolphins QB Jay Cutler

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          Golic: Marshawn isn't the reason Jets should be embarrassed (1:58)

          Mike Golic rips Jets players complaining about Raiders RB Marshawn Lynch's sideline dance party. (1:58)

          • Rich Cimini, ESPN Staff WriterSep 20, 2017, 10:00 AM
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              Rich Cimini is a staff writer who covers the New York Jets and the NFL at ESPN. Rich has covered the Jets for over 30 years, joining ESPN in 2010. Rich also hosts the Flight Deck podcast. He previously was a beat writer for the New York Daily News and is a graduate of Syracuse University. You can follow him via Twitter @RichCimini.
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          FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- One week after getting embarrassed by Marshawn Lynch -- for his sideline dancing, not his on-field performance -- the New York Jets will face another famous former retiree in their home opener at MetLife Stadium on Sunday.

          Jay Cutler retired last spring following a brief flirtation with the Jets, opting for the broadcast booth after receiving no compelling offers to play quarterback. He was lured back to football when the Miami Dolphins lost Ryan Tannehill, and now Cutler is 1-0 as the starter for a team with playoff aspirations.

          Always known as a gunslinger, Cutler actually was a game manager in Miami's 19-17 win at the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, throwing for 230 yards and one touchdown. He had no turnovers, which is unusual for him. Miami caught a break when the Chargers missed a last-second field goal, but give the Dolphins credit for handling a tough situation. Because of Hurricane Irma, their Week 1 game was postponed and they were displaced for nine days.

          At 34, Cutler still can make every throw, but his track record suggests he's an interception waiting to happen. He's 3-0 lifetime against the Jets (0-2).

          Let's take a closer look at the Dolphins (1-0):

          THREE PLAYERS TO WATCH: OFFENSE

          RB Jay Ajayi: His eyes will light up when he sees the tape of the Jets' run defense, which has allowed 370 yards in two games. A physical, violent runner, Ajayi is one of the toughest runners to tackle. Since the start of last season, he's had five games in which he produced more than 50 yards after contact, tied for the second-most in the NFL. Last week was one of those games, as 55 of his 122 yards came after initial contact.

          WR Jarvis Landry: One of the most productive slot receivers in the sport, Landry tied a career high with 13 receptions in the opener (on 15 targets). He has more catches than the Jets' leading receiver (Jermaine Kearse, 11) and has played one fewer game. Landry has been dealing with knee swelling, but it evidently didn't affect him last week.

          WR DeVante Parker: After two pedestrian seasons, the former first-round pick is on the verge of a breakout year. If he stays healthy, he has a chance to be one of the league's top deep threats. He was targeted nine times last week, averaging 18 air yards per target. He's 6-foot-3 with top-end speed.

          TWO PLAYERS TO WATCH: DEFENSE

          DL Ndamukong Suh/Cameron Wake: Jets backup quarterback Bryce Petty won't be flooded with warm memories when he sees them from the sideline. He was the victim of a vicious Suh/Wake sandwich last Dec. 17, suffering a shoulder injury that knocked him out of the game. Suh usually lines up over the right guard, and that could be a problem for the Jets. Starter Brian Winters is nursing an abdominal injury and his status is unclear.