Palm Beach Post writers predict Dolphins will beat Giants

The NFL added a 17th regular-season game for the 2021 season and the Giants game is the one designated as the "extra" one this season for the Dolphins simply because their other 16 games were already set by the league's schedule formula.

Somehow that's fitting because there are thousands of transplanted New Yorkers in south Florida who still hold strong allegiance to the Giants, many of whom will be at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday.

While the Dolphins are riding a four-game winning streak, the Giants have struggled for much of the season. While Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is slowly quieting his critics - completing more than 80 percent of your passes in back-to-back games will do that - New York has a quarterback quandary.

Why are the Dolphins winning?:Habib: Dolphins come clean with the root cause of losing — and winning — streaks

Tua's completions success:Schad: No, Tua's magnificent completion percentage is not a meaningless statistic

Comparing Tua's first 16 starts: How do Tua Tagovailoa's first 16 NFL starts compare to peers? Pretty well.

Here is how The Palm Beach Post sports staff sees Sunday's game playing out:

Joe Schad, Beat Writer

Miami’s defense takes the ball away. New York’s offense gives the ball away. The return of DeVante Parker should help the Dolphins more than some expect. Expect the Dolphins D to harass whichever Giants QB plays. And expect Miami’s offensive line to continue to make small progression. At least two TDs for Tua.

Dolphins 24, Giants 20

Hal Habib, Beat Writer

Are the Giants capable of wrecking this run by the Dolphins? Absolutely. But coming off the Dolphins' shellacking of the Panthers, and seeing how the defense has been on fire the past month, I can't go against Miami here.

Dolphins 26, Giants 16

Tom D'Angelo, Beat Writer

The Dolphins held Cam Newton to a 5.8 rating last week,  the worst by a starting quarterback this season. Now along comes Mike Glennon, the starter with Daniel Jones injured. Glennon has played one game this season, a 44-20 loss to the Cowboys. Miami continues to roll through a very forgiving part of the schedule.

Dolphins 27, Giants 14

Nick  Pugliese, Sports Editor

Back when the Dolphins were 1-7, someone proposing a five-game winning streak would have been dismissed faster than someone claiming there truly is a Santa Claus and they have official proof. Keeping with the holiday spirit, the NFL schedule keeps giving; this week it's the woeful Giants who will become the next victim in Miami's streak.

Dolphins 31, Giants 10