Week 16 picks: How do the experts see Miami Dolphins vs. New Orleans Saints?

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Things change rapidly in the 2020s NFL.

In the case of the Miami Dolphins' opponent, the New Orleans Saints, they went from starting quarterback Taysom Hill to rookie Ian Book, due to COVID-19 protocols.

Neither team has had it easy at quarterback this season. The Dolphins (7-7) endured an early-season stretch without Tua Tagovailoa, and ended up 1-7 partly due to their starter being out. But they bounced back with Tagovailoa and are looking at possibly getting into the postseason.

Meanwhile, with Book, the Saints (7-7) are actually on their fourth quarterback of the season — Jameis Winston got hurt in Week 8, Trevor Siemian was ineffective, then Hill stepped in, and now with both Hill and Siemian gone, it's down to Book. The Saints are also looking to squeeze into the postseason.

Live updates: The latest from Dolphins vs. Saints on Monday Night Football

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How do they get there?: The Dolphins and the playoffs: Breaking down Miami's paths to the postseason

Here's how NFL experts and reports see this week's game:

ESPN Monday Night Football crew: Randy Moss picks Saints

Steve Young, Booger McFarland and Suzy Kolber all picked the Dolphins to win on "Monday Night Countdown," but Randy Moss — remember, a former New England Patriot — said he believed in rookie quarterback Ian Book. He picked the Saints to win 13-10.

Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: Dolphins, 17-13

The Dolphins' defense has fueled their winning streak, supported by the running game getting it done more to lift an efficient Tua Tagovailoa passing to his diverse weapons. They have struggled at times against the pass but have cleaned up things against the run. Miami is more versatile and multiple on both sides of the ball, while New Orleans' limitations cost it another home game against an AFC East foe.

Ian Kenyon, Bleacher Report: Saints, 20-17

The Dolphins are one of the hottest teams in the league, reeling off six straight wins. But five of those wins have come against the Texans, Jets (two times), Giants and Panthers. Not exactly worldbeaters. They face one of the league's best defenses in the Saints, who are coming off a shutout win over Brady and the Buccaneers. The Saints covering three points at home should be one of the safer bets of the week.

Mike Florio, Pro Football Talk: Saints, 24-20

Miami’s climb to .500 has been fueled by a favorable schedule. It ends in New Orleans.

Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Saints, 24-21

The Dolphins have won six in a row since their seven-game losing streak to keep them in the hunt for a possible wild-card playoff spot. After pitching a Tom Brady shutout in Tampa, the Saints are even closer to a wild-card spot in the NFC, where nearly every team still has playoff aspirations.

Gregg Rosenthal, NFL.com: Dolphins, 16-13

Two of the strangest teams of 2021 face off on Monday Night Football in a game that could determine their playoff fate. We don't deserve any better, but perhaps the Saints do. With the news Thursday that third-stringer rookie Ian Book will start at QB, the Saints are fighting more uphill than usual. Not to mention, the status of their standout tackles remains uncertain as of this writing. The Dolphins are so extreme with their aggressive blitzes on defense that the Saints may never pass at all. New Orleans is hyped and cohesive enough to win a game entirely on defense, but the quarterback news was enough to make me switch my pick.

Bill Bender, Sporting News: Dolphins, 20-19

Duke Johnson resurfaced with a pair of TDs for the Dolphins in Week 15. The Saints are suddenly on a two-game win streak and in the NFC playoff mix. The Saints are somehow just 1-4 in games at the Caesars Superdome, and Miami has a defense that can win on the road.

Michael David Smith, Pro Football Talk: Saints, 28-21

The Dolphins have pulled off this season’s most impressive turnaround, from 1-7 to 7-7. But the Saints will end their winning streak.

Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: Saints, 21-13

The Dolphins have won six straight to get into the playoff hunt, but the Saints are coming off an impressive shutout of Tom Brady and the Bucs. The defense was outstanding, which will be the case here against Miami. Look for the Saints pass rush to dominate this game. The Saints will do enough on offense to pull this one out.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Week 16 predictions: Experts pick Miami Dolphins vs. New Orleans Saints