South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Sunday)
PREDICTIONS Dave Hyde, Sports Columnist (Season record: 10-5): Patriots 20, Dolphins 17
Two struggling teams meet with the playoffs on the line and, well, it’s hard to bet against Bill Belichick in this one. He has the defense. He has the home field. And the deciding factor isn’t Teddy Bridgewater replacing Tua Tagovailoa as much as the struggling Dolphins having lost four straight games in all corners of the map.
Chris Perkins, Dolphins Columnist (8-7): Dolphins 24, Patriots 20
It’s gut check time for the Dolphins (again) and this time they’ll get the job done. Disregard the Dolphins’ quarterback situation with Tua Tagovailoa sidelined with a concussion. When you think about how the Dolphins will win this one, look at the other key players on the team — Terron Armstead, Tyreek Hill, Xavien Howard, Jaylen Waddle, Bradley Chubb, Jaelan Phillips, etc.
David Furones, Dolphins Writer (11-4): Dolphins 20, Patriots 16
I’ve got an odd feeling that, with everything going against the Dolphins — a four-game losing streak and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa entering concussion protocol again — this is the week where they turn it around. Teddy Bridgewater manages the game well and gets the ball to Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Maybe the running game gets going. The Patriots offense does nothing to scare anyone, so the defense could finally deliver a winning effort. Playing at New England isn’t as daunting as it once was either, and the weather could actually be favorable for an end-of-the-season visit to Foxborough.
Kathy Laughlin, Sports Editor (10-5): Patriots 27, Dolphins 24
With Tua Tagovailoa in concussion protocol, it doesn’t look like the Dolphins are solving their problems anytime soon. While veteran Teddy Bridgewater is capable of leading the Dolphins to an upset win on the road, New England’s stellar defense will be up for the challenge with its season on the line. If the Patriots lose, they will be eliminated from playoff contention. I just don’t see that happening.
Keven Lerner, Assistant Sports Editor (9-6): Patriots 23, Dolphins 20
The Dolphins, who are chasing their first playoff berth since 2016, will be hard-pressed to win at New England with a backup quarterback — and with the Patriots facing a must-win situation. While Miami (8-7) can sneak into the postseason with one win in its final two games, New England (7-8) must win its last two games to secure a wild-card berth. The reeling Dolphins have lost four straight games by going winless in December.
Steve Svekis, Assistant Sports Editor (10-5): Dolphins 18, Patriots 16
Miami’s defense has dominated the Mac Jones-led Patriots offense in his three starts against the Dolphins, scoring three touchdowns and allowing only 14.3 points per game. If the Dolphins bottle up Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson as they did in the season opener, it is difficult to see a New England path to winning.