Miami Dolphins predictions: Does Tyreek Hill injury put Patriots game in question?

The Miami Dolphins are looking to rebound against an old nemesis. And even though Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots have fallen on hard times, they're the ones entering Sunday's game coming off a win.

The Dolphins are 5-2 after losing a primetime showdown with the Philadelphia Eagles 31-17. Tua Tagovailoa, the NFL leader in completion percentage, passing yards per game and quarterback rating, threw for just 216 yards. Raheem Mostert, fifth in rushing yards, managed just 45, almost half of that on one carry. Tyreek Hill had 11 catches and a touchdown, but he's battling a hip injury that could keep him out of Sunday's game. On the other hand, the defense led by a healthy Jaelan Phillips looked up for the moment, sacking Jalen Hurts three times, forcing him to fumble and returning an interception for a TD.

The Patriots (2-5) pulled off an unlikely 29-25 win over the Buffalo Bills last week. Mac Jones had maybe his best game of the season, going 25 of 30 for two touchdowns, including the game-winner with 12 seconds left to Mike Gesicki.

Tyreek Hill injury update: Dolphins receiver returns to practice, runs routes Thursday

Will this game resemble the meeting in Week 2? Miami won that game on the road 24-17 with Mostert running for 121 yards and two TDs and Jaylen Waddle leading the receiving corps with 86 yards. The Patriots are balancing the backfield more now between Rhamondre Stevenson and Ezekiel Elliott (the former Cowboy had just five carries in September; he notched 11 carries and scored for the second straight game last week).

So who comes out on top Sunday? Here's a look at what NFL reporters and analysts predict:

Lorenzo Reyes, USA TODAY: Dolphins 27-22

"I expect Miami to work out some of its frustrations in this game, but that’s a big line against a Patriots team that has been solid on defense. The Patriots showed against the Bills that they still have plenty of grit, but an upset here — especially given the recent track record of success for Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins against New England — is a tall ask."

Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: Dolphins 31-24

"The Patriots' offense found plenty of life with Mac Jones throwing downfield in the upset of the Bills, thanks to the running game providing a big spark. They hung in there, losing by a touchdown (24-17) in the Week 2 meeting in New England. Miami is more dynamic offensively on the road, but with uncertain injury status defensively, Jones and his key skill players can stay hot enough to make it a little interesting again."

Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: Dolphins 26-21

"The Patriots are coming off an impressive home victory over the Bills where Mac Jones showed some life. The Dolphins lost to the Eagles Sunday night in a game where the offense scored just one touchdown. New England slowed Miami in the first meeting. That same strategy will keep them in this game. It's closer than you think."

Kris Knox, Bleacher Report: Patriots win

Knox was one of two members of Bleacher Report's panel to pick New England to win. "Injuries are beginning to mount for Miami, and with both Terron Armstead and Isaiah Wynn out from the offensive line, the offense may struggle more than it did early in the season," Knox explained. "The Dolphins defense has been about as inconsistent as the Patriots offense, so I can see this game closely mirroring the season's first meeting that Miami won by a touchdown and an extra point."

Mike Florio, Pro Football Talk: Dolphins 27-20

"Without Tyreek Hill, the Patriots should be able to keep it close."

Brooke Cersosimo, NFL.com: Dolphins 30-20

"The Patriots are coming off their best performance of the season, a home win over the Bills in which Mac Jones looked like a competent NFL quarterback. Can he build on that success against another division foe Sunday? It's possible against a Dolphins defense that ranks 27th in scoring. But even so, I don't expect the Pats to keep up with Tua Tagovailoa, Raheem Mostert and the “Blur Brothers.” Miami's two losses have come against teams with winning records and on the road (Bills in Week 4 and Eagles this past Sunday). The Patriots are well below .500, and the game will be played in South Beach — a winning recipe for Mike McDaniel's group. Plus, Tua is 5-0 in his career against Bill Belichick. The only other quarterback with as many wins vs. Belichick? Hall of Famer Warren Moon (5-1)."

Bill Bender, Sporting News: Dolphins 31-19

"Bill Belichick earned his 300th victory in Week 7, and now the Patriots head to Miami – where the Dolphins are coming off a loss to Philadelphia. Miami is a different team at home. Miami is 3-0 ATS at home and they have won those games by an average of 28.7 points per game. Tua Tagovailoa has a 132.3 passer rating at home, too. That's a lot of points to lay on the Pats, but Miami has won the last three home meetings by 10.7 ppg. Trust it."

John Breech, CBS Sports: Dolphins 24-17

Chris Simms, Pro Football Talk: Dolphins 24-20

Where can I watch Dolphins vs. Patriots?

• When: 1 p.m. Sunday, October 29

• TV: CBS

• Streaming: Paramount+ (7-day free trial), NFL Sunday Ticket and NFL+ (out-of-market only), fuboTV (7-day free trial), YouTube TV (2-week free trial), Hulu + Live TV (7-day free trial)

Spero Dedes will be the play-by-play announcer with Adam Archuleta working as analyst. Streaming options include fuboTV, which offers a free trial to potential subscribers.

Dolphins vs. Patriots betting odds

Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Thursday, Oct. 26.

• Spread: Dolphins (-9.5)

• Over/under: 46 points

• Moneyline: Patriots +350, Dolphins -450

Dolphins schedule 2023

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Dolphins vs Patriots predictions: NFL experts pick Week 8 game 2023