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The Houston Chronicle’s football writers and columnists make their predictions for the Texans’ Week 11 game against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla.:
Dolphins 34, Texans 20
The Dolphins will be one of the most explosive offenses the Texans have faced this season. And they may have to face them without Derek Stingley Jr. It’s a bad week to face the Dolphins because the Texans are spiraling. This won’t be close.
Dolphins 35, Texans 17
Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle are on track to both gain 1,500 yards or more receiving this year. The Texans have not yet defended an offense as potent as Miami’s, and the Dolphins have a trio of running backs who should sufficiently batter Houston’s problematic defensive front. Kyle Allen should play more aggressively early in the game with house money, but the Texans’ change at QB won’t ultimately help them keep pace with an AFC contender.
Dolphins 35, Texans 13
Now the Texans start playing the good teams. Maybe Miami plays down to its competition and keeps this game close for a couple quarters. If not, the Dolphins should blow out the NFL’s worst team.
Dolphins 35, Texans 20
Miami has averaged 35 points a game in its past three games, plus it is coming off its open date. This could get ugly.