Dolphins (8-3) at 49ers (7-4), Sunday, 4 p.m., FOX, Levi’s Stadium
Latest line: 49ers are favored by 4 points.
Dave Hyde, Sports Columnist (Season record: 8-3): 49ers 28, Dolphins 24
Two of the league’s hottest teams meet and the result shouldn’t disappoint either in the big picture. Ultimately playing at home means something and, in this case, that’s an edge for the 49ers and their vaunted defense. Tua Tagovailoa arguably will face his toughest challenge of the season.
Chris Perkins, Dolphins Columnist (Season record: 7-4): Dolphins 17, 49ers 14
Yeah, I know it seems unlikely the Dolphins could go to San Francisco, face one of the league’s best defenses without left tackle Terron Armstead, and come away with a victory. But that’s what I’m picking. Both defenses rule, and the game is decided in the closing minutes.
David Furones, Dolphins Writer (Season record: 9-2): 49ers 23, Dolphins 17
Something’s got to give with Miami entering on a five-game winning streak and San Francisco winning four straight. The Dolphins’ loss of left tackle Terron Armstead comes at a bad time as the 49ers own the league’s top-ranked defense and have star St. Thomas Aquinas product Nick Bosa. It’s also going to be tough to get the run game going against the No. 1 run defense in the NFL. Facing the long travel, it seems like a lot to overcome against a very solid team.
Kathy Laughlin, Sports Editor (Season record: 9-2): 49ers 20, Dolphins 16
On the road against a tough San Francisco defense without Terron Armstead. Miami’s exciting offense can’t get them out of this one. Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is 14-2 in his last 16 starts and has the NFL’s best passer rating (115.7), but will be hard-pressed to move the ball against the NFL’s top defense.
Keven Lerner, Assistant Sports Editor (Season record: 7-4): 49ers 27, Dolphins 23
The surging Dolphins have won five straight games, tying them for the longest current winning streak in the NFL with the Chiefs. The 49ers also are on a roll, winning four straight and are 4-1 at home. The 49ers defense is playing at a Super Bowl level, not allowing a point in the second half during their four-game winning streak. It also leads the NFL in points allowed (15.7 per game), yards per play allowed (4.69) and yards per game allowed (281.7).
Steve Svekis, Assistant Sports Editor (Season record: 8-3): 49ers 27, Dolphins 20
The Dolphins, luckily already leading by 30, stalled from seemingly the moment Terron Armstead left the field in the second quarter on Sunday against the Texans. Now, Miami takes the long road trip out west to play the 49ers and their vaunted defense without their star left tackle. In the two and a half games Armstead has missed, Dolphins quarterbacks (all three of them), have gotten hammered, getting sacked 14 times. San Francisco hasn’t allowed a point in the second half of its last four games, but they also haven’t beaten a team who is more than one game over .500 (the 6-5 Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Chargers).
