Miami @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 12, 2016 ) Miami 27, N.Y. Giants 10

The Miami Dolphins' season spiraled out of control from the onset with seven straight losses amid talk of possible tanking for a high pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. The Dolphins answered that demoralizing stretch with a respectable 3-3 mark heading into Sunday's road contest against the New York Giants, who are mired in a franchise high-tying nine-game losing streak.

Miami will hope for better results when it plays its second consecutive contest at MetLife Stadium, as its offense was limited to a franchise-record seven field goals by Jason Sanders in a 22-21 setback to the New York Jets. "There were a couple of throws that I missed, and couple of things we could have done better," the 37-year-old quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick said. Fitzpatrick likely will be the younger of the two starting quarterbacks in this tilt, with 38-year-old Eli Manning expected to be under center for a Giants team that mustered 29 yards in the second half of a 23-17 overtime setback to Philadelphia on Monday. The start could serve as the final home game of Manning's career with rookie Daniel Jones working his way back from an ankle injury.

TV: 1 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Giants -3.5. O/U: 46.5

ABOUT THE DOLPHINS (3-10): Patrick Laird and Isaiah Ford have put their best foot forward in their bid to take advantage of opportunity, with the former rolling up a career-high 86 scrimmage yards last week. The latter had just nine receiving yards prior to recording six catches for 92 yards last week after fellow wideouts DeVante Parker and Albert Wilson sustained concussions. "You have to plan for the worst, I would say," Miami coach Brian Flores said of the availability of Parker, Wilson and Allen Hurns, who is nursing ankle and knee injuries. "If we don't have them, the next set of receivers have to step up and be ready to play." Tight end Mike Gesicki was limited to just one catch for five yards last week after being targeted seven times and finding the end zone in each of his previous two games.

ABOUT THE GIANTS (2-11): Saquon Barkley has struggled in his sophomore season, with the high-octane running back failing to get up to speed since missing three games with an ankle injury. The second overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft has failed to reach 100 yards rushing in seven consecutive contests after hitting that mark in seven games during his rookie season. Barkley, however, could make some hay against Miami's 30th-ranked rush defense (141.1 yards). Darius Slayton recorded his third multi-touchdown performance in six weeks to become the first rookie wideout since former Giant Odell Beckham Jr. and Tampa Bay's Mike Evans accomplished the feat in 2014.

EXTRA POINTS

1. New York TE Evan Engram (foot) is questionable to play in his first game since Nov. 4.

2. Both teams rank near the bottom in several statistical categories, with the Dolphins residing 30th in overall offense and defense while the Giants rank 26th and 27th, respectively.

3. New York's minus-61 point differential in the first quarter is the worst in the league, with Miami's minus-54 total right on its heels.

PREDICTION: Giants 28, Dolphins 17