The Miami Dolphins, currently sitting at 4-7, are set to host the 2-9 New Orleans Saints at Hard Rock Stadium for an intriguing Week 13 matchup filled with implications for future NFL Draft positioning rather than playoff aspirations.
Having enjoyed a bye last week, the Dolphins have had ample time to regroup, following a narrow 16-13 victory over the Washington Commanders two weeks ago in Spain. This win marked their second consecutive success, as they had previously pulled off a surprising 30-13 win against the Buffalo Bills, a result that bolstered their confidence. Miami will be striving for a third straight victory against a struggling Saints team that has faced challenges throughout the season.
In contrast, the Saints are coming off a disappointing 24-10 defeat to the Atlanta Falcons, continuing a season that has seen only two wins. Their victories came against the New York Giants in Week 5 and the Carolina Panthers in Week 10.
Fans can catch the action live on Sunday, November 30 at 1 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast on Fox and can also be streamed via Fubo. Betting odds currently favor the Dolphins by 5.5 points, with an over/under set at 42.5.
Both teams have shown vulnerabilities on defense. The Dolphins have allowed just 23 points across their last two games, performing better than their earlier games where they conceded significantly more, particularly in Week 9 against the Baltimore Ravens. The Saints, while ranking ninth in the league for passing yards allowed, have been less effective against the run, permitting 1,369 rushing yards this season. Similarly, the Dolphins excel in pass defense but have struggled against the run.
The matchup will feature rookie quarterback Tyler Shough for the Saints, who has a mixed record of 1-2 since taking over from Spencer Rattler. Shough has completed 64.3% of his passes, accumulating 839 yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions. Opposing him will be seasoned Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who has led every game this season with a completion rate of 68.3%, accumulating 2,123 yards along with 17 touchdowns and 13 interceptions—ranked the highest in the league.
Historically, the Saints hold a slight edge over the Dolphins with a 6-7 record in their matchups, the most recent of which the Dolphins won back in December 2021.
Predictions lean toward the Dolphins emerging victorious, potentially extending their streak to three wins. Betting enthusiasts would do well to consider a Dolphins victory at -5.5 points, with an expectation of the game scoring under 42.5 points. As both teams look to finish the season on a positive note, the game promises to be an engaging contest reflecting both teams’ quest for improvement moving forward.