Dolphins, Saints weathered skids on way to high-stakes clash

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) gestures at the end of an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. The Dolphins defeated the Giants 20-9. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

New York Jets' Bryce Hall, left, tries to tackle New Orleans Saints' Alvin Kamara as he runs for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores, center, discusses a call with NFL down judge Danny Short (113), during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) aims a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, left, celebrates with outside linebacker Demario Davis (56) after the team defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. Allen was filling for Sean Payton as head coach after Payton was diagnosed with Covid-19. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)

FILE - New Orleans Saints quarterback Ian Book warms up before the team;s NFL football game against the New York Giants in New Orleans on Oct. 3, 2021. The rookie out of Notre Dame, selected by the Saints in the fourth round of the 2021 draft, is expected to take his first regular season NFL snaps on Monday night against Miami. A COVID-19 outbreak affecting more than a dozen Saints players including quarterbacks Taysom Hill and Trevor Siemian left the Saints little choice but to elevate Book to a starting role this week. (AP Photo/Derick Hingle, File)