Dolphins-Bears predictions: Will revamped Miami win third straight?
Dolphins at Bears, Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS. Latest line: Dolphins are favored by 5 points. Dave Hyde, Sports Columnist: Dolphins 31, Bears 20.
Dolphins (5-3) at Bears (3-5), Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS
Latest line: Dolphins are favored by 5 points.
Dave Hyde, Sports Columnist (Season record: 5-3): Dolphins 31, Bears 20
The Dolphins added a couple of pieces at the trade deadline with edge rusher Bradley Chubb the big one. The Bears lost the heart of their defense as linebacker Roquan Smith and defensive end Robert Quinn were traded. The message to Dolphins players is we’re winning now and the message to Bears players is management has given up on the season.
Chris Perkins, Dolphins Columnist (Season record: 4-4): Dolphins 21, Bears 18
The Dolphins will find a way to earn a scrappy road victory. Chicago has a solid rushing game and a good secondary. But as long as the Dolphins can stay out of their own way (few penalties, win the turnover battle) they should be OK. It might not be pretty, and probably won’t be high scoring, but it should be a Dolphins victory.
David Furones, Dolphins Writer (Season record: 6-2): Dolphins 34, Bears 24
I expect the high-powered Miami offense to take advantage of a Chicago defense that recently traded away top players Roquan Smith and Robert Quinn, and was already toward the bottom of the league before those deals. The Dolphins will have to make sure they contain quarterback Justin Fields with his dual-threat abilities, Broward County product Khalil Herbert and Chicago’s No. 1-ranked rushing attack. Fields will have some moments, but the Dolphins will get the stops necessary.
Kathy Laughlin, Sports Editor (Season record: 6-2): Dolphins 24, Bears 20
With Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle and Tua Tagovailoa healthy — and the defense getting a boost from Bradley Chubb — the Dolphins should be able to get past the Bears. Keep in mind, last week’s win against the Lions looked quite doubtful at times. Chicago picked up wide receiver Chase Claypool in a trade, but there hasn’t been time to learn the offense and develop chemistry with QB Justin Fields. Luckily for the Dolphins, it’s not forecast to be super cold at Soldier Field on Sunday afternoon.
Keven Lerner, Assistant Sports Editor (Season record: 4-4): Dolphins 23, Bears 20
While the Dolphins have bolstered their roster, the Bears have suffered key losses. Chicago traded defensive stalwarts Roquan Smith and Robert Quinn the past two weeks, and those two had logged 3.5 sacks, more than a quarter of the team’s already-putrid total of 13. And Tua Tagovailoa, leading the NFL in passer rating, has gashed teams when he has had a clean pocket. The Bears have scored 62 points in their last two games with quarterback Justin Fields and a potent rushing attack, so it should be a close game.
Steve Svekis, Assistant Sports Editor (Season record: 5-3): Dolphins 24, Bears 23
The Bears’ offense has shocked back to life the past two weeks, scoring 62 points and earning a split on the road. The positive for the Dolphins is that Chicago has done most of its damage in the run game (240 yards per game the past three), while the Dolphins have allowed a stellar 85 yards on the ground over their past trio of outings. A concern is that running quarterbacks have been problematic for Miami, with Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen combining for 166 yards on 17 carries. In those past three games, quarterback Justin Fields has piled up 231 rushing yards on only 33 attempts (7.0 yards a run).
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