Who has the edge? Dolphins vs. Saints, with momentum coming back from bye

Here’s a look at how the Miami Dolphins (4-7) and New Orleans Saints (2-9) match up in six key areas ahead of Sunday’s Week 11 game at Hard Rock Stadium (1 p.m., Fox):

When the Dolphins run: Miami has found a bit of an identity with the ground game. Running back De’Von Achane has put himself in a top-five conversation in the league as he ranks fourth in rushing yards (900) and third in rushing average (5.5). Before the bye week, he went for 120 yards in the overtime win against the Washington Commanders in Madrid. To add to that, rookie Ollie Gordon spelled him for 45 yards on nine carries and a touchdown, bringing the physicality in short-yardage situations.

The Saints are 21st in run defense. Veteran former Pro Bowl linebacker Demario Davis is one to account for, and New Orleans has former Dolphins defensive tackle Davon Godchaux up front. Miami is familiar going against him as a former New England Patriot. Left tackle Patrick Paul, center Aaron Brewer have been key cogs on the offensive line, along with Daniel Brunskill as an extra lineman in jumbo packages. Austin Jackson could come back at right tackle for another boost, but Larry Borom has been solid there filling in. Edge: Dolphins

When the Saints run: The Dolphins may miss out on seeing Alvin Kamara as he deals with knee and ankle injuries, but he hasn’t been the same Kamara of years past anyway. With No. 2 back Kendre Miller on injured reserve, Devin Neal would be the next man up in the backfield. The rookie sixth-round pick out of Kansas has 61 rushing yards on 17 attempts, but Miami’s run defense needs to be wary of how it allowed big games last month from Carolina’s Rico Dowdle and the Los Angeles Chargers’ Kimani Vidal as backups.

The Miami run defense has gone from league worst to now up and down, currently ranking No. 29. On one hand, the Dolphins could have a game against the run like they did against the Bills’ James Cook or the Falcons’ Bijan Robinson. On the other, like in Madrid, they could give up 172 rushing yards. With linebacker Jordyn Brooks leading the league in tackles (125), he can cover up as many blemishes as he can, but he needs help from the defensive line. The Saints don’t have two-time Pro Bowl center Erik McCoy available, but they’ve got first-round picks from the past two drafts in left tackle Kelvin Banks and right tackle Taliese Fuaga. Edge: Even

When the Dolphins pass: In Miami’s stretch of three wins in four losses, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has thrown six touchdowns and three interceptions, an improvement from where he stood at 11 and 10 on the season before this run. His 13 interceptions still lead the NFL, but he has been asked to take some deep shots on third-and-long that could lead to interceptions that aren’t as costly in terms of field position if the team is just bound to punt on the following play.

Wide receiver Jaylen Waddle has been on somewhat of a tear since Tyreek Hill went down in Week 4, but he only had three catches for 52 yards on his seven targets in Madrid. Tight end Darren Waller is working back from injured reserve with his practice window open, but he seems like a longshot to play Sunday after one week of drills. The Saints secondary has some players with young cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry and safety Justin Reid.

They lead a pass defense that ranks No. 9 in the NFL, along with the pass rush of Cameron Jordan, Carl Granderson and Chase Young off the edge. It could be a tough first matchup back if he’s activated off IR. Boron has been holding up in pass protection on Tagovailoa’s blind side regardless, and the quarterback tends to get the ball out quickly. Edge: Saints

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When the Saints pass: Rookie quarterback Tyler Shough has started three games, is 1-2, completing 64.3 percent of passes with three touchdowns and three interceptions. Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver could be up for throwing some exotic blitzes his way to confuse the young second-round pick.

When facing the Saints, wide receiver Chris Olave must, first and foremost, be accounted for. He has 69 receptions for 734 yards and four touchdowns. He’s the main weapon on the outside for New Orleans, which traded away Rashid Shaheed to Seattle, but upstart tight end Juwan Johnson has 49 catches, 537 yards and three touchdowns. We know the Dolphins pass defense struggles to cover tight ends. They hope to solve that and maybe shade some coverage toward Olave on the outside, with either Jack Jones the primary cover corner or Rasul Douglas if he’s able to return to action after missing two games, while Minkah Fitzpatrick provides the versatile safety in the base defense or nickel packages when an extra defensive back is brought in.

We’ll see if Robinson gets his first start of the season opposite Bradley Chubb on the edge, as it was Matthew Judon in that spot against the Commanders. For Robinson to get going deep in his second year will provide a pass-rush boost against young Banks and Fuaga at the two tackle spots for New Orleans. Edge: Dolphins

Special teams: The Dolphins have been solid in mostly every aspect of special teams, between Riley Patterson’s kicks, Jake Bailey’s punts and Malik Washington’s returns. Miami even recovered a muffed punt in Madrid, as cornerback and gunner Ethan Bonner got down the field for the recovery.

New Orleans has struggled kicking field goals and just signed Cade York to the practice squad, and punter Kai Kroeger only has a net punting average of 36.1. Edge: Dolphins

Intangibles: The Dolphins are coming off the bye refreshed and with momentum of two straight wins and victories in three of the last four. They’re also motivated to climb back into the hunt down the final stretch, but they must avoid letting this turn into a trap game. Edge: Dolphins

PREDICTION: Dolphins 24, Saints 16

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