Dolphins-Ravens predictions: Will Miami beat Baltimore in battle for AFC’s No. 1 seed?

Dolphins (11-4) at Ravens (12-3), Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS

Latest line: Ravens are favored by 3 1/2 points

Dave Hyde, Sports Columnist (Season record 11-4): Dolphins 24, Ravens 21

Both teams are coming off big wins, with Miami edging Dallas, 22-20, and Baltimore winning at San Francisco, 33-19. The Dolphins effectively have two more days of rest, considering Baltimore played Monday night and flew back across the country. That’s my reasoning for why the Dolphins will have the edge in the battle for the AFC’s top seed. You need every margin of an advantage in a game like this.

Chris Perkins, Dolphins Columnist (Season record 9-6): Dolphins 21, Ravens 17

I don’t trust the Ravens’ ability to hold a lead. We saw this last year when Miami scored 28 fourth-quarter points in a 42-39 come-from-behind win in Baltimore. I think it’s a low-scoring game that comes down to the final possession, but I’m not sure if the Dolphins win with their offense, defense or special teams. Miami, 11-4 for the first time since 1990, is plus-8 in turnover margin in its last four games.

David Furones, Dolphins Writer (Season record 12-3): Ravens 23, Dolphins 20

Baltimore comes in looking like a monster after what it did to the 49ers on Monday night. There’s also the long travel back the Ravens had after that physical game, returning to Baltimore early Tuesday morning while the Dolphins have been resting since Sunday night. Highly competitive game, but injuries slowing Miami wide receivers Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill lead me to believe they won’t have monumental games like they did last year in the trip to M&T Bank Stadium — and Waddle may not even play. Lamar Jackson makes enough plays for the Ravens, and the Dolphins have to go the route of beating the Buffalo Bills at home in the regular-season finale to seal the AFC East.

Kathy Laughlin, Sports Editor (Season record 12-3): Ravens 31, Dolphins 27

The Ravens are too good. Native South Floridian Lamar Jackson is too hot. Baltimore will be too cold. The Dolphins are too injured. Take your pick (or buy the whole lot), but it looks like Miami is due for disappointment. Throw in the fact that Jackson is the league’s best running quarterback, rushing for a team-leading 786 yards and five touchdowns.

Keven Lerner, Assistant Sports Editor (Season record 13-2): Ravens 23, Dolphins 20

In a game with significant playoff implications, the Dolphins will have a tough time slowing down Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, the Pompano Beach native who is the NFL’s leading candidate to win the MVP award. Jackson also has been supported by an elite defense. Baltimore’s defense is sixth against the pass and sixth in total defense. The Ravens also have the league’s No. 1 scoring defense and lead the league in sacks. Their physical style could pose problems for Miami’s offense.

Steve Svekis, Assistant Sports Editor (Season record 9-6): Ravens 31, Dolphins 20

The Dolphins play their most consequential game in many years. A win makes them the AFC East champs and greases the rails to be the top seed in the AFC with a Week 18 tie/win or Ravens loss. However, a loss to Baltimore and a loss in the regular-season finale against the surging Buffalo Bills could send the Dolphins to the No. 6 wild-card position and a trip to play Kansas City at Arrowhead Stadium (though the Dolphins would match up well with the sputtering Chiefs). The Ravens likely circled this game on their calendar after blowing a 35-14 lead in the final 13 minutes against the Dolphins in Baltimore last season. In that game’s fourth quarter, Tua Tagovailoa looked like in-his-prime Dan Marino, with 199 passing yards and four touchdown passes for an improbable 42-38 win.