Pundit Predictions: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Miami Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins will be looking to avoid their fourth consecutive loss when they host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this Sunday. The Buccaneers are riding a one-game winning streak, but still find themselves three games below .500. With the game rapidly approaching, let's examine what the experts are saying about this weekend's contest.

David Steele - Sporting News

Prediction: Dolphins win 20-18

Steele's analysis:

This is the game that was originally scheduled for Week 1, before Hurricane Irma showed up, instead. This is also where the lack of a bye week could start to show itself, because Jameis Winston (among others) is sitting it out again, and because the Dolphins need to get away and forget the last three weeks. Final tally from the Dolphins’ three straight primetime games, which began with them even with the Patriots in the loss column: 0-3, outscored 112-45.

Elliot Harrison - NFL.com

Prediction: Dolphins win 23-14

Harrison's analysis:

Tall order picking the Dolphins to win, as their point differential is just 10 points better than the winless Browns' mark. Think about that. Yeah, I don't want to, either. The Bucs captured a bounty full of one win last week on the strength of a resurgent defense that mitigated a slow, if functional, Ryan Fitzpatrick offense. Think the Dolphins, who were flat embarrassed this past Monday night, will come out ready to play. Especially the defense, which got run over to the tune of nearly three bills by the Panthers.

(Not) Fun fact: Miami fields the worst scoring offense in the league. Since the AFL-NFL Merger, no team that sported the fewest points per game finished better than 6-10.

Chris Simms - Bleacher Report

Prediction: Dolphins win 27-23

Simms' analysis:

Either one of these teams can win the game, but the one that makes the fewest mistakes will come out victorious. That's scary because Cutler and Ryan Fitzpatrick are two quarterbacks who tend to make mistakes.

The Miami defense is a little better than Tampa's defense, and I have more faith in the Dolphins' ability to move the ball with consistency right now. This game is also in Miami, which gives the Dolphins another slight edge in a game that was nearly a coin flip for me.

James Walker - ESPN

Prediction: Dolphins win 20-17

Walker's analysis:

This game should have happened in Week 1 but was postponed because of Hurricane Irma. Now Miami is the healthier team, especially with the Bucs missing starting quarterback Jameis Winston. Facing backup quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick should give the Dolphins' defense a much-needed confidence boost after allowing 112 points combined in their past three games.

How do you think the Dolphins will fare against the Buccaneers? Tell us your predictions in the comments below.