On Sunday Night Football (Oct. 22), two of the NFL’s top teams, the Philadelphia Eagles and Miami Dolphins, will face off. Both teams have a record of 5-1, which is the best in the league along with three other teams. The Eagles are leading the NFC East, but they are coming off their first loss of the season, a 20-14 defeat to the Jets. Meanwhile, the Dolphins are leading the AFC East standings, one game ahead of the Bills, and have won their last two games against the Giants and Panthers.
The game will take place at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia at 8:20 p.m. ET. The Eagles are favored to win by 2.5 points, and the over/under for total points scored is 51.5.
A Side-by-Side Look at the Teams
The Miami Dolphins have had an incredibly strong offense at the beginning of the season, leading the NFL in passing yards, rushing yards, passing touchdowns, and rushing touchdowns. They have also made history by being the first team to achieve more than 300 passing yards and 180 rushing yards in any six-game span. Those aren’t small stats. On the other hand, Philadelphia quarterback Jalen Hurts has struggled this season, throwing more interceptions in six games than he did all of last season. He threw three interceptions in his last game, tying his career-high. Consider these factors when choosing which team to support. But, Hurts is still incredible, so don’t underestimate him.
Miami’s offense has proven to be one of the most dynamic in history, not just this year. Although Philadelphia’s defense was missing two key players, Jalen Carter and Darius Slay, last weekend, they are expected to play in the upcoming game, which could be a big help. This means that the Eagles’ strong defense will be back in action to challenge Miami’s speedy skill players. Our prediction for the Dolphins vs. Eagles game is focused on this tough matchup.
Key Players
In 2023, Tua Tagovailoa has had an exceptional season, showcasing his talent as a quarterback. He has been able to maintain an impressive average of 295.4 yards per game (YPG) and 9.5 yards per attempt. Tagovailoa’s success can be attributed to the support he receives from the elite wide receiver duo of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Additionally, the Miami Dolphins have established themselves as the leading rushing team in the NFL, averaging 181.8 YPG.
On the other hand, Hurts faced a setback in a recent game against the New York Jets, throwing three interceptions. These turnovers resulted in 14 points for the opposing team, leading to the Eagles’ first loss of the season with a score of 20-14. The upcoming game against the Dolphins will serve as a crucial test for the Eagles, determining their ability to compete against top-tier teams in the NFL. Miami, undoubtedly, stands as one of those formidable teams in the 2023 season.
Did Losing Help the Eagles?
There’s an ongoing debate regarding the potential benefits of losses for teams, particularly those on a successful streak or winning streak. An example of this is the recent loss to the Jets, which could serve as a much-needed wake-up call for Philadelphia. Regardless of one’s stance in this debate, it remains a fact that the Eagles are among the strongest teams in the NFL. This idea is further reinforced by the news that Lane Johnson’s ankle injury is not significant, and he is expected to participate in Sunday night’s game. One thing is certain: The Eagles will be coming to this game with something to prove, and that’s probably a good thing.
It’s worth mentioning that Miami will be without rookie RB De’Von Achane, which will undoubtedly impact their performance. However, it should be noted that they do possess several fast players on their team. The Eagles will have the advantage of playing at home this week, where they had an impressive record last year and have remained undefeated so far this season. The last time Miami played in a similar location, they allowed 48 points to the Buffalo Bills. Even if Jalen Hurts and the Eagles do not score close to 50 points, they possess the necessary resources to recover from last week’s loss. It is crucial to acknowledge that WR Devonta Smith is also a formidable player.
Who Will Win?
Taking all factors into consideration, our prediction for the Dolphins vs. Eagles game is that the Eagles will emerge victorious by a margin of at least 2 points, with most predictions having them at 2.5 points.
Find the full NFL Week 7 season schedule here.
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