When the Miami Dolphins were sitting at 1-6 after Week 7, there wasn’t much going right in Miami. Now, though, things have started to turn around for the Dolphins.

They won three of their past four games, winning their first set of back-to-back games in Week 11 and Week 12. With the New Orleans Saints coming to town Sunday and a trip to New York to play the Jets in Week 14, the Dolphins realistically could convince themselves they have an outside shot at the playoffs.

While the Saints might make for the most favorable matchup on Miami’s schedule, the Dolphins can’t take them easy. With a rookie quarterback and no shot at the playoffs, New Orleans still has the chance to keep Miami away from the postseason. 

Here are five players who will be crucial for the Dolphins in their Week 13 game against the New Orleans Saints:

WR Jaylen Waddle

Jaylen Waddle has developed into the go-to pass catcher on the Miami offense. And given his matchup this week, that should still be the case Sunday.

In the Dolphins’ most recent game, Waddle hauled in three catches for 52 yards. The last time Waddle finished with less than 50 receiving yards was in the team’s Week 7 game against the Cleveland Browns.

The Saints’ cornerback room is made up of Kool-Aid McKinstry and Alontae Taylor, neither of whom has had a great season. If they both continue to struggle, Waddle should continue to produce.

RT Larry Borom or RT Austin Jackson

It’s not often Miami gets solid play from its offensive line, but right tackle Larry Borom had a productive day the last time the Dolphins took the field. He ended the game with a team-high 87.3 Pro Football Focus grade.

This week, the team could use another good day on the right side, although it’s possible Borom won’t be in the lineup anymore. Austin Jackson may be ready to return for the first time since Week 1 and his welcome back would be against a Saints’ defensive line that consists of Cameron Jordan, Chase Young and Carl Granderson.

While New Orleans’ defensive front is far from elite, it has enough veteran talent to give the Miami offensive line trouble if the right tackle isn’t on his game.

TE Darren Waller

It’s unclear if tight end Darren Waller finally will suit back up for Miami this weekend, but he’s trending in the right direction. He was limited in Wednesday’s practice, but he still has a shot at revisiting the Miami lineup.

It’s not a guarantee Waller plays Sunday. If he doesn’t, Greg Dulcich and Julian Hill likely would see an uptick in offensive involvement, but Miami could use Waller this weekend.

Waller has the ability to burn New Orleans’ good, young players, while Dulcich and Hill are less likely to earn many targets.

CB Rasul Douglas

Like Waller, Rasul Douglas isn’t guaranteed to return for the Dolphins this week. And his presence is important for the Miami secondary.

Douglas generally lines up on the outside, and with Chris Olave able to move around the field, Douglas surely will get some reps across from Olave. Since Olave is a versatile receiver, though, it will be hard for Miami to completely stop him from impacting the game.

Outside of the matchup, Douglas hasn’t taken to the field since Oct. 30 against the Baltimore Ravens. If Miami wants to forget about injuries to the secondary and not rely on Jason Marshall Jr. and Ethan Bonner, Douglas needs to return and play at a high level.

OLB Chop Robinson

Now that Jaelan Philips is thriving in Philadelphia, Chop Robinson has become even more important. Robinson is the most athletic player on the Dolphins’ edge, and he needs to turn more of his reps into negative plays for the offense.

Robinson had just two pressures, according to PFF, without Phillips in Week 11 — the first and only week Robinson since Phillips’ trade.

That won’t cut it without Phillips going forward. Robinson showed flashes last season, but he needs to put more consistent wins on tape now that he has been pushed back into a big role in Miami.