MNF: New Orleans Saints vs Miami Dolphins 12/27/21 NFL Picks, Predictions, Odds

The New Orleans Saints and Miami Dolphins clash in week 16 Monday Night Football NFL action at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. The Miami Dolphins look to build on their six-game winning streak. The New Orleans Saints look to get a game above a .500 record.

The Miami Dolphins have lost three of their last four road games. Tua Tagovailoa is completing 69.9 percent of his passes for 2,141 yards, 14 touchdowns and 8 interceptions. Mike Gesicki and Jaylen Waddle have combined for 1,534 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns, while DeVante Parker has 34 receptions. The Miami Dolphins ground game is averaging 86.6 yards per contest, and Myles Gaskin leads the way with 580 yards and 3 touchdowns. Defensively, Miami is allowing 22.3 points and 349.1 yards per game. Jerome Baker leads the Miami Dolphins with 73 tackles, Jaelan Phillips has 8.5 sacks and Xavien Howard has 4 interceptions.

The New Orleans Saints have lost three straight home games. Ian Book will start at quarterback after Taysom Hill was placed on the COVID list. Deonte Harris and Marquez Callaway have combined for 1,078 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns, while Alvin Kamara has 38 receptions. The New Orleans Saints ground game is averaging 117.1 yards per contest, and Kamara leads the way with 668 yards and 4 touchdowns. Defensively, New Orleans is allowing 20.4 points and 336.9 yards per game. Demario Davis leads the New Orleans Saints with 95 tackles, Marcus Davenport has 6.5 sacks and PJ Williams has 3 interceptions.

The Dolphins are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 Monday games and 5-1-1 ATS in their last 7 games overall. The Saints are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 Monday games and 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games as a favorite. The under is 5-2 in Dolphins last 7 games overall. The under is 4-0 in Saints last 4 games overall.

We’re going to learn more about the Miami Dolphins in this game, as while they’ve won six straight games, almost all of those games came against lousy teams and five of those wins came at home. Monday night, on the road and with increased expectations, the Dolphins will show their true colors. The New Orleans Saints are coming off a shutout win over the Bucs, and while impressive on the road, you have to wonder where that’s been all year. I understand why the Saints are favored here, but I believe the Dolphins are the better team overall, and it’s hard to leave a free field goal on the table with one of the hotter teams in the league. If the Dolphins can run the ball like they did last week, they win this game outright. Give me the points.

Update: With the Dolphins now the favorite given the Saints QB situation, I still like Miami to get the job done. The Dolphins have been one of the top defensive teams in the league over the last month and a half, and Book is going to have issues with that blitz. The Dolphins have aggressive defensively and, something a young quarterback usually struggles to figure out. The Dolphins should roll here.