Welcome to Week 6: Miami Dolphins vs. New York Jets.

You know what’s at stake. The Dolphins are seeking their first victory. The Jets are seeking the end of a three-game losing streak. And, oh yes: These two teams don’t like one another too much. Well, at least the two fan bases don’t.

If the Dolphins win this one on Monday night, hope stays alive that maybe – just maybe – they can rebound from their 0-4 start. A loss and they sink further into the abyss. If the Jets win, they’re back in the hunt – at least somewhat – in the AFC East.

Before we get to the things to watch, some quick historical tidbits:

-This will be the Dolphins’ 78th game on Monday Night Football. No team has appeared on Monday Night Football more often. The Dallas Cowboys are second with 73 Monday night appearances. The Dolphins record in Monday night games: 40-37.

-This will be 91st regular season meeting between these teams. The Jets lead the all-time series, 47-42-1. The teams have met once in the playoffs – a 14-0 Dolphins victory in the 1983 AFC Championship game. As for recent history, the Dolphins have won four of the past five – including three consecutive on the road in this series. Since 2000, the Jets lead the series 14-8.

All right … now what to watch, Dolphins-Jets edition:

1. Will the Dolphins be plagued by the same mistakes and problem points?
The same issues have cost the Dolphins in each of their four defeats. You know what they are by now: failure to score touchdowns in the red zone and third-down inefficiency on offense, and allowing too many big plays and forcing few too turnovers on defense. The Dolphins spent the bye week working on these issues and there’ll be no excuses if they don’t show improvement in at least a couple of these areas.

2. How does Matt Moore lead the offense?
Ever since Moore took over for the injured Chad Henne early in the Dolphins’ eventual loss against the San Diego Chargers, we’ve heard a lot about Moore’s moxie and make-up. About his confidence and about his leadership qualities. If the Dolphins are to have any shot of turning around their season, Moore has to play well – and that has to start on Monday night. He and offensive coordinator Brian Daboll have spent a lot of time together during the past two weeks. Daboll said last week that the Dolphins did adjust their offense – if only slightly – to fit Moore’s skill set and preferences. The Jets are allowing an average of 203 passing yards per game and Moore will up against the formidable cornerback duo of Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie.

3. The return of Daniel Thomas.
Thomas, the rookie running back, is listed as “questionable” on the Dolphins’ injury report but he expects to play. He has been somewhat limited in practice this week but still received a lot of work – which is more than could be said before the San Diego game, when he didn’t travel because of a hamstring injury. The Jets are tough against the pass – see Revis and Co. – but they were susceptible against the run. They’re allowing 134.8 yards per game, which ranks 26th in the NFL. Establishing the ground game will key for the Dolphins and to do that they need Thomas, who has run for 202 yards in the two games that he has played.

4. Brandon Marshall as “The Monster.”
On the surface, it might appear that Marshall is having a decent enough season. After all, he’s on pace for about 1,200 yards receiving. Even so, Marshall hasn’t been his best through four games – or anywhere close to it, really. Dropped passes have been a problem – especially dropped touchdown passes. Marshall said recently he needs to play with more emotion and he coined a new nickname, too: “The Monster.” (Why “monster?” Because, Marshall said, monsters can be friendly and do good things, too.) Marshall joked that he’d play with so much emotion he’d get ejected from the game in the second quarter – a comment that created a lot of buzz among the South Florida media corps. It’s clear Marshall was having some fun with the press – just as clear that Marshall indeed has been missing something in the early season. If playing with more emotion gets him going, the Dolphins won’t argue.

5. The special teams battle – particularly the Jets’ kickoff returns.
The Jets lead the NFL in kickoff returns and they do so because of Joe McKnight, who’s averaging 45.6 yards on nine kickoff returns. McKnight is, as they like to say, a game-changer. He can change field position. He can change momentum. He can change the score. He did that, in fact, on a 107-yard return for a touchdown against the Ravens on Oct. 2. The Dolphins must limit the effectiveness of McKnight, who can change the game in a hurry.

HOUSTON – The return of Plaxico Burress will have to wait. Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez has work to do with his other receivers anyway when New York opens the pre-season against Houston on Monday night.

The Texans, meanwhile, are eager to see how well they’ve learned Wade Phillips’ new 3-4 defensive scheme. Houston’s defence can only improve after ranking last against the pass last season (267.5 yards per game), the main culprit in a 6-10 record.

Monday’s game would’ve been notable for the resurfacing of Burress, who signed with the Jets on July 31 after serving a 20-month prison sentence on a gun charge. But Burress won’t even make the trip to Texas after spraining his left ankle in practice last week.

The other stars on both teams aren’t expected to see much action, either.

Jets Pro Bowl centre Nick Mangold will not travel, either, after hurting his neck Thursday, and Arian Foster, the NFL’s leading rusher in 2010, is also not expected to see action because of a hamstring strain.

In his limited time Monday, Sanchez can focus on building chemistry with free-agent pickup Derrick Mason, who was brought in to essentially replace Jerricho Cotchery, who was cut.

New York also lost Braylon Edwards and Brad Smith in free agency, but re-signed go-to receiver Santonio Holmes.

“I’m well prepared. I think this team has the potential to surpass what we did last year,” Sanchez said, “but it starts with this first game.”

Mason, entering his 15th season, has been hastily learning the playbook after spending his last six years in Baltimore.

“It’s going to take a lot of work,” the 37-year-old Mason said. “It’s going to take countless hours in the classroom. And then once we get into the classroom, we got to make sure that we take what we learn in the classroom onto the field.”

The Jets ranked 22nd in passing offence last season (202.6 yards per game), and Sanchez ranked 27th in passer rating among starters (75.3). Mason is projecting major improvement in the passing game, though he acknowledges that it may take some time to click.

“It’s not going to happen overnight. I wish it did,” he said. “It’s going to take a minute, but I think me knowing the system the way I do, I think it’s going to be quicker than what a lot of people anticipated.

“And then Plax, he’s only been here a week or two, and he’s picked up on the offence very well,” Mason said. “Once I get the nooks and crannies of the offence, I think we’re going to be very good.”

The Texans are hoping for a dramatic turnaround, too.

Houston overhauled its defensive personnel, acquiring cornerback Johnathan Joseph and safety Danieal Manning in free agency, and using six of eight draft picks on defensive players, including end J.J. Watt in the first round.

And with no off-season to spend with his players because of the lockout, Phillips has been working overtime to teach his new scheme.

“Defensively, I think Wade is very basic in what we’re fixing to go do Monday night,” Houston coach Gary Kubiak said. “We just want to see guys play, make sure they’re in the right spot. We’ve come a long way here in the first two weeks and we’ve got a grasp of the base stuff. That’s what we’re looking for.”

At the moment, Kubiak has more concerns on the offensive side, specifically at running back. Along with Foster, backups Steve Slaton and Ben Tate are also nursing hamstring injuries. That will leave most of the carries Monday night to Derrick Ward and former Texas star Chris Ogbonnaya, who’s impressed coaches in camp.

Kubiak says Matt Leinart will take the bulk of the snaps for the Texans. Leinart, the 2004 Heisman Trophy winner, was a free agent and chose to return for a second season in Houston because he was comfortable with Kubiak and familiar with the system.

Leinart is expected to back up Matt Schaub this season, but openly says he wants to work his way into a starting role in the near future.

“I hope to carry over what I’ve been doing in practice to the game, just move the ball and score some points and play confident,” said Leinart, who didn’t throw a pass in 2010. “I want to get the guys in the right situations.”

Jets backup quarterback Mark Brunell travelled with the team but won’t play after injuring a finger on his left hand during practice Saturday. With the starters likely just going a quarter, that should leave most of the snaps to Greg McElroy, the team’s seventh-round pick, and undrafted free agent Drew Willy.

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AP Sports Writer Dennis Waszak Jr. contributed from Florham Park, N.J.

BUFFALO — Chan Gailey couldn’t deny the Buffalo Bills have some growing to do before they catch up to the New England Patriots and New York Jets.

He suggested the Bills are already on the same level as the Miami Dolphins.

Gailey spoke at a luncheon Tuesday at the Adam’s Mark hotel and gave his thoughts on where the Bills stand in the AFC East.

“I like the challenge of our division,” Gailey told the Monday Quarterback Club. “If you can go play well in our division, then you can compete for the whole thing.

“The old saying, ‘If you want to be the best you’ve got to beat the best,’ that’s where we are. We have some of the best teams in football in our division. We’ve got to go beat the best. That’s our objective. You get a quick read on where you are as a football team by playing those guys twice a year.”

The Bills have finished in last place each of the past three seasons and haven’t made the playoffs since the 1999 season.

In that stretch, the Patriots have won three Super Bowls and at least tied for the division’s best record every year.

“If you look at New England, you’ve got to play unbelievable defense against them,” Gailey said. “They can move the ball just about on anybody. They had a bad day against the Jets in the playoff game, but when [Tom] Brady’s healthy and in top form, they’re good. Their offensive line is good. They’ve played together for quite a while. They create problems for you with all that they do on offense.

“Defensively, they were probably down a little this year. They gave up more yards than they had in years past. That probably — I don’t know this for sure — probably will be their focus coming up in the next year, how to improve their defense.”

The Bills obviously are behind the Jets, too. The Jets have advanced to the AFC Championship Game two years in a row.

“The Jets are strong,” Gailey said. “They’re a physical football team. We’ll have to fight to get to where they are. I think we can. I don’t think it’s that far away. … They’ve got some good, veteran players. You just have to accept that challenge each time you play them.”

But Gailey wasn’t as deferential in regard to the Dolphins, who won the AFC East title in 2008 but have posted consecutive 7-9 seasons. The Bills split with them last year, winning at Sun Life Stadium.

“Miami, we could’ve had them at home,” Gailey said. “We did go down there and get them. I think we have got a chance to match up with them pretty good in the years to come. I like where our team is heading.”

Published: Monday, January 31, 2011, 9:41 PM     Updated: Monday, January 31, 2011, 9:50 PM

NEW YORK – Sal Alosi decided it was time to move on.

The embattled New York Jets strength and conditioning coach resigned Monday, less than two months after he was caught tripping an opposing player during a punt return and suspended by the team.

Alosi was initially docked without pay for the rest of the season and fined $25,000 by the team for sticking out his knee to trip Miami’s Nolan Carroll during a game at the New Meadowlands Stadium on Dec. 12. He was suspended indefinitely by the team a few days later after acknowledging he ordered players to form a wall along the sideline.

“After the events that have transpired, I feel it’s best for my family and me to look for a fresh start,” Alosi said in a statement issued by the team.

During a news conference the day after the incident, Alosi fought back tears as he called his actions – tripping Carroll – “inexcusable and irresponsible.” He also said no one was instructed to stay up on the sideline to prevent Dolphins players from running out of bounds on kicks. Miami’s Reshad Jones was penalized for doing that earlier in the game.

It wasn’t until two days later that Alosi was suspended indefinitely after he acknowledged telling the players to form the wall – information he didn’t initially volunteer.

General manager Mike Tannenbaum said during a conference call last Friday that the team had not yet made a decision on Alosi’s future.

“After speaking with Sal, he decided that it is best for him to tender his resignation at this time,” Tannenbaum said.

Alosi was first with the Jets from 2001-05, then worked for the Atlanta Falcons for one season before he was hired by then-New York coach Eric Mangini in 2007 to be the head strength and conditioning coach. A former linebacker at Hofstra, Alosi earned an award for sportsmanship and fair play both on and off the field during his college career.

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — As if this game needed more hype.

Rex Ryan, never afraid to say what’s on his mind, declared the New York Jets’ playoff game against the New England Patriots as a lot more than just another postseason matchup.

“I think it’ll be huge,” Ryan said Friday in his final news conference before Sunday’s AFC divisional playoff. “This one will probably be the second-biggest in the history of the franchise.”

Broadway Joe and the 1969 Super Bowl champions’ win over the Baltimore Colts is still at the top, of course. But this game between the Jets (12-5) and Patriots (14-2) isn’t far behind — at least in Ryan’s mind. Yep, even bigger than last year’s AFC championship game against Indianapolis.

“This year is huge because you’ve got your rival,” he said, “a team that’s won three Super Bowls right there in your own division, at their place, coming off the huge, embarrassing loss that we had in the Monday night game.”

Following a week of name-calling, accusations and challenges, Ryan’s chatty Jets are looking to get past the Patriots and reach the AFC championship game for the second straight season. But Bill Belichick and Tom Brady might have something to say about all of that. On the field, that is.

“Certainly the stakes are much higher than they were the last time,” Brady said, referring to the Patriots’ 45-3 rout last month. “Each can execute, certainly, at a very high level against great competition, and that’s going to be part of the reason why there is going to be millions of people tuned in for the game on Sunday.”

The fact that these teams clearly don’t like each other — at all — would be another.

“One thing I can tell you right now, we have plenty of respect for them up there, but we don’t fear them,” Ryan said. “I can promise you that. We do not fear them. We respect them and we’re going to win the game. That’s our message. It’s our message every week.”

There have been plenty of other messages sent from New York to Boston and back during the last few days, making for an interesting week.

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Ryan kicked things off last week when he praised Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning, saying no one studies like him, even though Brady thinks he does. Then, Ryan said Monday that this game against the Patriots was “personal” between him and Belichick. Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie took things to another level of nastiness when he called Brady an expletive, while he and his coach accused the Patriots quarterback of showboating and pointing at their sideline after a late touchdown.

Jets wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery said the Patriots spread their arms out like planes — the touchdown celebration some New York players use — after an interception in the last meeting.

“When you have a rivalry like this, things are going to come out,” Cotchery said. “People shouldn’t be surprised by any of this. This is a contact sport, though, and it’s going to be settled out there on the field in the end.”

Hall of Fame slugger Reggie Jackson, known to spout off at times during his playing career, said during a radio interview that Ryan’s guys should stop yapping and focus on playing.

“That’s his opinion,” Ryan said. “We’re always going to be who we are. Reggie Jackson is always who he was. We could use Reggie’s bat this week.”

To their credit, the Patriots stayed mostly quiet — under orders from Belichick, of course, who rarely gets into verbal confrontations with other teams through the media.

But after Patriots owner Robert Kraft told the Associated Press he won’t judge the Jets and prefers his team does its talking with its play, wide receiver Wes Welker made several references to feet in his news conference Thursday. It was apparently a dig at recent foot-fetish reports involving Ryan.

But now, all the talk is just about over — finally.

The rivals split their season series, with both winning at home, a place at which Brady has been nearly flawless in the playoffs. He’s 8-1 at Foxborough.

The Jets have to deal with a Patriots offense that led the NFL in scoring with 32.4 points per game and tied its own NFL record by scoring at least 30 points in eight consecutive games. Brady also has been incredibly efficient with 36 touchdown passes and only four interceptions.

“The biggest thing about him is that he’s a winner,” Jets linebacker Jason Taylor said. “He knows how to win and you can never count him out.”