Dolphins (6-3) vs. Browns (3-5), Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS
Latest line: Dolphins are favored by 3 1/2 points.
Dave Hyde, Sports Columnist (Season record: 6-3): Dolphins 30, Browns 27
Two offenses in the top 10 in scoring. Two defenses tied for 24th in points allowed per game (24.6). The heat isn’t around to help the Dolphins much by now, but figure returning home after a couple of weeks on the road will provide the difference in this game. The Dolphins are the better team, but the Browns are a formidable opponent.
Chris Perkins, Dolphins Columnist (Season record: 5-4): Dolphins 28, Browns 24
It’s the Chubb Bowl as Dolphins edge rusher Bradley Chubb faces his cousin, Browns running back Nick Chubb, who is second in the league in rushing at 841 yards. That’s a big danger considering Bears quarterback Justin Fields rushed for 178 yards. But the Dolphins will find a way to win, as they’ve done all season. It might not be the way the Dolphins want to win (strong defense, solid special teams, etc…) but they’ll win.
David Furones, Dolphins Writer (Season record: 7-2): Dolphins 27, Browns 20
Miami faces another team that does its damage on the ground, but it’s been running quarterbacks, specifically, that have been a challenge for the Dolphins. They have done well at stopping the traditional run game through opposing running backs. With that said, they should be able to curtail Nick Chubb’s effectiveness. Miami keeps rolling into the bye week in a return to Hard Rock Stadium after two weeks on the road.
Kathy Laughlin, Sports Editor (Season record: 7-2): Dolphins 34, Browns 30
Cleveland is coming off a win and a bye week, so the Browns are rested and have had time to get ready. Certainly, quarterback Jacoby Brissett knows a thing or two about the Dolphins’ defense, since he was with Miami last season. That said, Tua Tagovailoa and his outstanding receivers should be able to put plenty of points on the board. The biggest concern is whether the Dolphins’ defense can get it together.
Keven Lerner, Assistant Sports Editor (Season record: 5-4): Dolphins 23, Browns 20
Tua Tagovailoa has been on a roll. Despite missing two games with injuries, he leads the league in passer rating (115.9), yards per attempt (9.2), touchdown percentage (6.9) and net yards per play (8.5). He hasn’t thrown an interception in his past 115 dropbacks and Miami has quietly improved its per-carry running average by 11.1 percent since last year, from 3.68 yards a run to 4.09. The Browns, who are trying to keep their slim playoff hopes alive until Deshaun Watson arrives, have been better than expected with Jacoby Brissett.
Steve Svekis, Assistant Sports Editor (Season record: 6-3): Dolphins 26, Browns 24
The Browns are 3-5, but, coming off their bye week, have shown themselves to be a dangerous team with a losing record. The have beaten the Cincinnati Bengals and four of their losses have come by three points or fewer, and Cleveland boasts arguably the best pass rusher in the NFL in Myles Garrett, who has 7.5 sacks and 11 quarterback hits in his seven games this season. The Browns, with Deshaun Watson still serving his suspension, has had the Dolphins’ 2021 backup quarterback, Jacoby Brissett, playing in Watson’s stead. Brissett has basically played like a backup (with an 86.8 passer rating), but he has had moments of brilliance, with three games of a passer rating of at least a 106.5. And, while much less mobile than a Justin Fields, Lamar Jackson or Josh Allen, Brissett has gone 10 for 11 converting first downs on third- and fourth-and-1 plays.
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Source: Berkshire mont
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