Dolphins vs. Saints Pregame Report - Week 16

NFL Week 16 action closes out in the Superdome in a battle of 7-7 squads, as both the Saints and Dolphins need a win on Monday Night Football.

John Hendrix | Dec 27, 2021

It's officially Saints Game Day, and things couldn't be more important for New Orleans going into Monday Night Football against the Dolphins. The Saints are dealing with plenty of issues, mainly an outbreak of COVID-19 that has sidelined 21 players and several coaches that we know of as of Monday morning.

Here's a look at Week 16's Pregame Report.

All-Time Series: Series tied at 6-6, with the Saints winning the past three matchups.

Where to Watch: ESPN (7:15 p.m. CT), Steve Levy, Brian Griese, Louis Riddick, Lisa Salters (field reporter)

Where to Stream: Fubo, NFL Mobile, Saints App, ESPN Sports App

Where to Listen: WWL Radio locally (105.3FM) with Mike Hoss, Deuce McAllister, and Steve Geller (sideline reporter); National Radio on Westwood One with Kevin Harlan and Kurt Warner; SIRIUS: 81 (MIA), 83 (NO), 88 (National) | XM: 226 (MIA), 225 (NO), 88 (National) | SXM App: 819 (MIA), 822 (NO), 88 (National)

Referee: Adrian Hill

Current Lines: Dolphins -2.5 (O/U at 37)

Jersey Combo: Black Jerseys, Black Pants (Black Out called for in Superdome)

Last 5 Matchups

10/1/17 - Saints 20, Dolphins 0
9/30/13 - Saints 38, Dolphins 17
10/25/09 - Saints 46, Dolphins 34
10/30/05 - Dolphins 21, Saints 6
11/29/98 - Dolphins 30, Saints 10

Saints Storylines

COVID Problems. Here's a look at the Saints and their extensive list of players who are presumably going to be out for tonight's game.

Taysom Hill
Trevor Siemian
Malcolm Jenkins
Demario Davis
Ryan Ramczyk
Kaden Elliss
James Carpenter
Jordan Mills
Jeff Heath
Christian Ringo
Adam Trautman
Juwan Johnson
J.T. Gray
Jalyn Holmes
Dwayne Washington
Carl Granderson
Malcolm Roach
Jerald Hawkins
KeiVarae Russell
Deonte Harris (suspended)
Kwon Alexander

In addition to the players being out, the Saints are going to be down special teams coach Darren Rizzi, assistant defensive backs coach Cory Robinson, assistant offensive line coach Zach Strief, and coaching intern Sterling Moore. Here's to hoping no other positive cases pop, as the team is probably going to dress every single player available on their roster.

Superdome Blackout. If you're still going to the game, and hopefully you are given the importance of it, the team has asked for a complete blackout of the Superdome. New Orleans is going to be in their black jerseys and black pants for Monday Night Football, and the first 50,000 fans are going to handed a black Saints flag.

Officially, the gates will open at 5:15 p.m. Champions Square closes at 6:30 p.m., and fans are encouraged to be in their seats by 7:00 when the lights will go out in the building to be active participants in a “Blackout” player introduction. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:15.

Ian Book's Debut. Get your best puns ready, because they're going to fly during and after the game. But in all seriousness, this is a great opportunity for the rookie to come in and show what he's got. The circumstances aren't great and the talent around him is certainly not ideal. However, if Book can put together a nice game with those factors considered, it's going to help answer a couple more questions regarding the offseason quarterback need. No one is saying Book would start for the Saints next season, but fans have been calling for him all season, and they finally get their wish.

Playoff Outlook. In an intense battle for playoff positioning, the Saints got some help from others this past week. The 49ers and Vikings losing helps New Orleans in the grand scheme of things, but the important thing is the team has to keep winning. Even with a win, New Orleans cannot jump into a playoff spot in the NFC, but they have a much better outlook with a win.

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Published Dec 27, 2021

JOHN HENDRIX

I officially started covering the New Orleans Saints & other NFL topics in 2011. My work has been featured on various outlets over the years. I worked closely with Skyhorse Publishing in Fall 2018 to update the book, Tales From the New Orleans Saints Sidelines, which filled in all Saints material from the 2013-2017 seasons. Prior to joining Saints News Network, I served as the Managing Editor of SB Nation's Canal Street Chronicles for 3.5 years, and before that with FanSided's Who Dat Dish as the Managing Editor for several years. I have also had experiences of being a freelance Saints reporter for The Sun Herald in Biloxi, MS and a contributing writer for WDSU, a local NBC TV station in New Orleans. I have appeared on a vast amount of TV and Radio shows, both nationally and locally. For tips, comments, or suggestions, please contact me at johnhendrix@saintsnews.net