Philadelphia @ Miami preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 24, 2017 ) Miami 31, Philadelphia 38

Carson Wentz is nursing both a bruise on his throwing hand and one to his ego after being booed off the field in his last contest. The quarterback hopes both will feel better as the Philadelphia Eagles bid to end a two-game losing skid for the third time this season on Sunday when they visit the Miami Dolphins.

Wentz committed four turnovers in Sunday's 17-9 setback to Seattle, a game in which the Eagles were without three wideouts (Alshon Jeffery, Nelson Agholor, DeSean Jackson), a starting running back (Jordan Howard) and two Pro Bowl offensive linemen (Lane Johnson, Brandon Brooks). "I gotta be better. No excuses. It starts with me," said Wentz, who was the subject of a "He will fail in Philadelphia" response by former Eagles quarterback Michael Vick on FS1's "Speak for Yourself" this week. Like Philadelphia, Miami has answered a two-game winning streak by dropping two in a row, but its bar was significantly lowered after losing its first seven contests of the season. "I've got to continue to do a better job. Overall we need more consistency and that starts with me," said veteran quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, who threw two touchdown passes and a pair of interceptions in Sunday's 41-24 setback to Cleveland.

TV: 1 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: Eagles -9. O/U: 45

ABOUT THE EAGLES (5-6): Jeffery and Agholor were fall participants in practice on Wednesday after the former missed two games with an ankle injury while the latter sat out last week with an ailing knee. Without sufficient help on the outside, Wentz focused his attention on tight ends Zach Ertz (12 catches, 91 yards, touchdown) and Dallas Goedert (career high-tying seven receptions) against the Seahawks. Miles Sanders rolled up 86 scrimmage yards while playing 84 percent of the offensive snaps on Sunday, making him the lone rookie with 400-plus rushing yards (437) and 300-plus receiving yards (337) this season. With Howard (shoulder) yet to be cleared for contact, Sanders likely will continue to see a bigger workload as Philadelphia looks to exploit Miami's generous defense that is ranked 31st against the run (148.2 yards per game), 31st overall (400.9) and dead last in points allowed per contest (31.5).

ABOUT THE DOLPHINS (2-9): Kalen Ballage was given a vote of confidence after head coach Brian Flores declared that the 23-year-old will remain the team's starting running back despite rushing for 65 yards on 36 carries since being elevated to the top role in Week 10. Ballage had just seven carries for 13 yards against the Browns and faces an uphill battle versus the Eagles' fifth-ranked rush defense (94.0 yards per game). Rookie Patrick Laird showed a burst with three rushes for 20 yards while Fitzpatrick actually led the club with 45 yards on the ground. Miami is averaging a woeful 63.2 rushing yards per game, which serves as the lowest for a team since the 1946 Detroit Lions (42.5).

EXTRA POINTS

1. Miami WR DeVante Parker has recorded a touchdown reception in three of his last four home games.

2. Philadelphia DE Brandon Graham has collected all of his team-leading 7.5 sacks in his last seven games.

3. The Dolphins placed Jakeem Grant (ankle) on injured reserve Wednesday and promoted fellow WR Isaiah Ford from the practice squad to the active roster.

PREDICTION: Eagles 28, Dolphins 13