Miami Dolphins defeat New Orleans Saints 20-3

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Step 1 for the Miami Dolphins in the stretch run of their playoff hunt is tonight when they face the New Orleans Saints on Monday Night Football.

This weekend’s results have opened the door for the Dolphins to claim an AFC wild-card berth. If they beat the Saints, followed by victories at Tennessee and home against New England, they will be in the playoffs regardless of any other results around the league.

The Dolphins (7-7) enter the game on a six-game winning streak.

The Saints, also 7-7, have been hit hard by positive COVID tests this past week and will start rookie Ian Book at quarterback.

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11:15 p.m. | Dolphins have won their 7th straight.

Only team in NFL history to have 7-game losing AND winning streaks in the same season.

10:46 p.m. | Jason Sanders’ 34-yard field goal gives Miami more breathing room

Dolphins make it 3-score game against a Saints team that has struggled all night on offense.

10:42 p.m. | Saints QB Ian Book throws ball away – ON FOURTH DOWN

Saints continue to trail by 14 points early in the fourth quarter.

10:24 p.m. | Tua flips 1-yard TD pass to Waddle to open 14-point lead

Tua Tagovailoa completes big passes to Mack Jordan (40 yards) and flea-flicker to Jaylen Waddle leading to the score capping an 86-yard drive.

9:40 p.m. | Cam Jordan sack of Tua takes Dolphins out of field goal range

And, it’s a 10-3 game at halftime at the Superdome after Jason Sanders’ 59-yard field goal misses wide left.

9:15 p.m. | Saints get on the board with a field goal

Brett Maher’s 38-yard field goal caps power-run drive aided by couple of Miami penalties.

Story continues

8:50 p.m. | Jason Sanders’ field goal ups Dolphins lead

Sanders’ 48-yard field goal put Miami ahead 10-0 with 2:09 left in the first quarter.

8:29 p.m. | Nik Needham Pick 6 puts Dolphins up early

Saints rookie quarterback Ian Book’s second pass deflected by Andrew Van Ginkel and Needham goes 28 yards for the TD.

6:50 p.m. | Salvon Ahmed among Miami Dolphins inactives, while Saints will be without tackle Terron Armstead

Running back Salvon Ahmed is among three inactives announced by the Dolphins.

Cornerback Trill Williams and defensive tackle John Jenkins are the other inactives.

Dolphins players on the reserve/COVID-19 list are TE Cethan Carter (12/23), G Solomon Kindley (12/26), G Robert Jones (12/22), OL Greg Mancz (12/23), LB Duke Riley (12/23) and WR Albert Wilson (12/26).

Earlier in the day, the Dolphins announced they elevated tackle Roderick Johnson, tackle Adam Pankey and running back Jordan Scarlett to the active roster as COVID-19 replacements for the game.

Tackle Terron Armstead is New Orleans’ lone inactive player.

Saints players on the COVID list are LB Kwon Alexander, G James Carpenter, LB Demario Davis, LB Kaden Elliss, DE Carl Granderson, DB J.T. Gray, S Jeff Heath, QB Taysom Hill, DE Jaylyn Holmes, S Malcolm Jenkins, T Jordan Mills, T Ryan Ramczyk, DT Christian Ringo, QB Trevor Siemian, TE Adam Trautman and RB Dwayne Washington.

The Saints elevated WR Kawaan Baker, QB Blake Bortles, G/C Will Clapp, LB Sharif Finch, LB Chase Hansen, DT Braxton Hoyett, OL Forrest Lamp, T Kyle Murphy, LB Justin March-Lillard, DB Jordan Miller, DB Bryce Thompson, DT Ethan Westbrooks, WR Easop Winston Jr. and TE Ethan Wolf as COVID-19 replacements for tonight’s game.

The Saints also announced that special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi — a longtime Dolphins assistant — will not be available due to COVID-19 protocols. Assistant special teams coach Phil Galiano will assume his duties.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Dolphins vs. Saints: Monday Night Football live updates, score