Dolphins (4-7) vs. Saints (2-9), Sunday, 1 p.m., FOX
Latest line: Dolphins are favored by 6 points
Dave Hyde, Sports Columnist (Season record: 3-8): Dolphins 30, Saints 17
When do you say a 4-7 Dolphins team should win relatively easy? Answer: When it plays a 2-9 Saints team. Of course, the same could’ve been said about the overtime win against Washington. The Dolphins just need a win no matter how it comes and they should do that against New Orleans.
Chris Perkins, Dolphins Columnist (Season record: 6-5): Dolphins 28, Saints 17
Everything should be working for the Dolphins — offense, defense and special teams — in the closest thing they’ll get to a guaranteed victory. New Orleans is terrible and the Dolphins are on a roll. Don’t expect a blowout, but expect a Dolphins victory.
David Furones, Dolphins Writer (Season record: 4-7): Dolphins 24, Saints 16
I don’t feel the Saints have much offensively with Alvin Kamara now possibly missing this game and Tyler Shough at quarterback. The Dolphins will have to be mindful of wide receiver Chris Olave, and tight end Juwan Johnson is having a sneaky good year. Running the football, stopping the run and forcing a key turnover or two should be enough for Miami to come back from the bye and score a home win against the lowly Saints.
Kathy Laughlin, Sports Editor (Season record: 4-7): Dolphins 20, Saints 17
The Dolphins have had a bye week to heal and plan. They are at home and playing the 2-9 Saints. Miami should be able to take care of New Orleans without overtime. Fingers crossed. It also helps that New Orleans has the worst red-zone offense in the NFL and is averaging a league-low 15 points per game.
Keven Lerner, Assistant Sports Editor (Season record: 8-3): Dolphins 23, Saints 17
Will the Dolphins keep their slim playoff hopes alive against the reeling Saints? Probably, but their chances of making the postseason are a real longshot — to say the least. But after starting 1-6, Miami has won three of its last four games to somehow still be listed as “in the hunt” in the NFL’s playoff picture. Nevertheless, despite a favorable schedule with games against the Saints, Jets and Bengals, the Dolphins also face Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay and New England.
Steve Svekis, Assistant Sports Editor (Season record: 4-7): Dolphins 26, Saints 0
I expect this matchup against the Saints to be much like the Dolphins’ past matchup against them, with an overwhelmed rookie quarterback — Ian Book in his only NFL start in 2021 and Tyler Shough in his fourth career start on Sunday — spitting up any chance New Orleans would have in the game. The Dolphins should breeze to 5-7 before the schedule starts to stiffen again.
