The Dolphins rank 10th in total defense and are at risk of missing the playoffs. The Bears are trying to make a playoff push and need a win over Miami to do so.
Ian Book, who has been starting for the Cardinals in place of an injured Sam Bradford, is expected to have a breakout game against the Dolphins. He will throw for 300 yards and three touchdowns.
The New Orleans Saints face the Miami Dolphins on Monday night in a game that will determine their fate. Tua Tagovailoa and the Fins have been unstoppable in recent weeks, but maintaining their unbeaten streak into Week 16 may be more difficult. In this clash, the Saints are playing at home, and they are riding a wave of enthusiasm after their rout of the defending Super Bowl champs in Week 15. With that in mind, let’s take a look at four bold predictions for the Saints’ Week 16 matchup against the Dolphins.
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Week 16 Predictions for the New Orleans Saints
4. In his first professional start, Ian Book fumbles the ball.
After Taysom Hill and Trevor Siemian were placed on the reserve/COVID list, the Saints will have to depend on Ian Book to lead the majority of their offense on the field this coming Sunday. It’s a big statement to predict that a rookie who was picked in the fourth round and has yet to attempt a single pass in his brief NFL career would do well in his first pro start. That is, however, why it is included on the list. Book isn’t the sort of rookie who is expected to make an immediate impact.
Because Trevor Lawrence, Justin Fields, and Zach Wilson have all struggled this season, there’s no reason to believe Book will go out on Sunday and immediately put up a noteworthy performance. Let’s just say Book has a history of stepping up when the situation calls for it. Book joined the game in the second quarter of the 2017 Citrus Bowl after starter Brandon Wimbush was benched due to ineffectiveness. Book then went on to throw for 164 yards and two touchdowns on 14 of 19 passing attempts. It’s also worth noting Book’s ability to tuck the ball and sprint with it. At four years in South Bend, he rushed for 1,517 yards and 17 touchdowns while averaging 4.2 yards per carry.
3. Alvin Kamara is back to his old self.
Alvin Kamara was widely regarded as the Saints’ most significant player heading into the 2021 NFL season. With Drew Brees out of the picture and Michael Thomas recuperating from offseason surgery that lost him the whole season, Kamara was left as the only member of the fearsome trio who could play in the 2021 season. In Week 15’s victory against the Buccaneers, though, Kamara remained relatively quiet, allowing Marquez Callaway to steal the show with a 100-yard receiving effort — the first by any Saint this season.
On the other side, Kamara ended with just 18 running yards and 13 receiving yards on only 13 touches. Although Miami’s defense has been stout this season, particularly during their winning run, Kamara should be able to thrive on the ground. With a rookie at quarterback, the Saints will count more heavily on Kamara, who leads New Orleans with 668 running yards and four rushing touchdowns.
2. New Orleans produces a lot of alcohol. Tagovailoa in the pocket of Tua Tagovailoa
This season, the Dolphins’ offensive line has performed well. Tagovailoa hasn’t been sacked more than twice in a single game thus far. Tagovailia has also made two outings this year in which he has not been dismissed at all. The Saints’ pass rush, which is coming off a fantastic effort in Week 15, should be unaffected by this.
The Saints’ defense made Tom Brady seem pedestrian, limiting him to just 26/48 completions and zero touchdowns while picking him off once and forcing him to the ground four times for a total of 30 yards. Cameron Jordan must still be leaking smoke after his ferocious effort against the Buccaneers, which included two sacks and five total tackles. Marcus Davenport, who got a sack in Week 15 to bring his season total to 16.5, is another option.
1. The Saints win their second straight shutout.
Following up on the last point, the Saints’ defense will play a major factor in their victory against the Dolphins. With a short field, New Orleans will need to create turnovers and provide Book with opportunities. Miami’s offense has been on fire lately, averaging 24.75 points per game in its past four games, but the Saints shutting down a Tagovailoa-led assault seems more plausible considering the way they handled Tom Brady and the high-scoring Buccaneers back in Week 15.
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The “Miami Dolphins record” is a prediction for the Miami Dolphins in Week 16. This week, I predict that the Miami Dolphins will win against the New England Patriots by a score of 23-20. Reference: miami dolphins record.
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