Miami Dolphins predictions: Who are NFL experts picking to win game vs. New York Jets?

Can the Miami Dolphins sneak into the NFL playoffs?

After a red-hot start to the Mike McDaniel era, the Dolphins (8-8) are now on the outside looking in regarding the postseason. They face the New York Jets (7-9) on Sunday needing a win and a loss by the New England Patriots to clinch a wild-card berth.

One big obstacle is their own quarterback situation. Tua Tagovailoa is out with a concussion and backup QB Teddy Bridgewater has a broken finger, leaving third-string rookie Skylar Thompson and newly signed Mike Glennon as the likely options under center. Pro Bowlers Terron Armstead and Xavien Howard, as well as trade-deadline acquisition Bradley Chubb, are also battling injuries.

Sunday would be Thompson's second appearance against the Jets, having made his NFL debut in a 40-17 loss in October. Both team are on five-game losing streaks, and New York's loss last week knocked them out of playoff contention. Zach Wilson, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, will not play against the Dolphins, as Joe Flacco will be under center in the finale.

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So who wins Sunday? NFL reporters and analysts weigh in with their picks:

Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: Jets 20-17

The Dolphins are in another tough place at quarterback with Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) and Teddy Bridgewater (finger) hurting, just like they were in the Week 5 blowout loss to the Jets in New York. Their QB play already has been shaky during the five-game losing streak. The Jets' defense rebounds and gets a break vs. an inconsistent running game while Mike White plays OK enough with his weapons in good matchups.

John Breech, CBS Sports: Jets 23-20

Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Jets 13-12

To show how bad the Dolphins are slumping, they are an underdog at home to the Jets, who have lost five in a row and have scored just 38 points in their past four games. But the Dolphins have also lost five in a row and are down to their third-team quarterback. Steelers are in!

Nick Musial, Sporting News: Jets 20-17

This game has a good deal of variance to it, as we're still unsure of exactly who will start under center for Miami. If Thompson ends up making the start, we think the Jets' pass rush disrupts him enough, resulting in a turnover or two that gives the Jets solid starting field position. The Jets will snap their five-game losing skid, ending the Dolphins' playoff hopes in the process.

Larry Rupp, FanDuel: Dolphins 20-17

The good news is that Miami still has the best wide receiver duo in football with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle patrolling the outside. The two have combined for 2,999 yards and 15 touchdowns on 187 receptions in 2022.

Miami has won six straight home games against the Jets, too. I'll back the Dolphins get the job done.

Gregg Rosenthal, NFL.com: Dolphins 21-20

My pick could depend on Teddy Bridgewater's status. If he plays and there are positive reports on his throwing hand, give the Dolphins a slight edge against a Jets defense that hasn't been as fearsome of late. Both pass rushes should dominate. Both offenses will try to find ways to lose, as they have during dueling five-game losing streaks. If Skylar Thompson starts, I'll probably lean toward the Jets, who trounced the Dolphins the last time these teams played, with Thompson playing most of those snaps.

Bill Bender, Sporting News: Dolphins 31-27

Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: Dolphins 21-17

The Jets are eliminated, while Miami has to win to get in and hope New England loses. The Dolphins will almost certainly be starting seventh-round rookie Skylar Thompson at quarterback. That's tough duty against a good Jets defense. Even so, I think the Dolphins will do enough on offense to win against a team with little motivation.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Dolphins vs. Jets predictions: NFL experts pick Week 18 game