By Ian S Palmer
The Washington Redskins will be hosting the Miami Dolphins at FedEx Field in Landover on Sunday, September 13 in the season-opening game for both teams. The Dolphins will unveil a new-look defense and offense this year and fan’s are anxious to get a look at their team. The Redskins made the offseason and preseason headlines by controversially dumping Robert Griffin III as the squad’s starting quarterback and replacing him with Kirk Cousins. Both teams will be under the microscope in week one as they hope to kick start their 2015 campaigns with a win.
Miami Dolphins vs Washington Redskins – Week 1 NFL Odds
- Pinnacle lists the Dolphins -3.5 at +102 with Washington +3.5 at -113 with the over 43 points at -103 and the under at +100
The last time the Dolphins enjoyed a winning season was back in 2008. However, fans believe the team may finally turn things around this year as the defense has been retooled, the receiving corps has also been upgraded and quarterback Ryan Tannehill looks to be getting better each time out. The Dolphins aren’t the league’s greatest road team as they lost three of their last four away games in 2014, but they’re still slight favorites over Washington. This more or less goes to show just how weak the Redskins are believed to be.
The Dolphins acquired Ndamukong Suh from the Detroit Lions in the offseason and the defensive tackle is expected to make for an improved front seven. Other key players for Miami should be pass rushers Cameron Wake and Olivier Vernon. Wake recorded 11.5 sacks last year while Vernon was credited with 6.5 sacks. Washington’s offensive line allowed a total of 58 sacks last year, which was second worst in the league. Miami also retooled the offense to help out Tannehill.
The franchise chose wide receiver DeVante Parker in the draft, but he may be sidelined for this game following foot surgery. In addition, tight end Jordan Cameron was signed. The Dolphins should be better in the air and will be up against the Redskins’ defense which allowed 249.4 passing yards against per game last year, which ranked 24th in the NFL.
Cousins will get the nod at quarterback over the injury-prone Griffin III. Last year, Cousins threw for 10 touchdowns and 1,710 yards. He’ll be targeting wide receivers Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson as well as tight end Jordan Reed. Jackson was a threat last year and led the league with 20.9 yards on average per reception. Garcon’s production fell off though as he caught just 752 yards on 2014 after receiving 1,346 the year before. The Redskins drafted a trio of offensive line players this year, but the team may not be quite ready to handle the front seven of the Dolphins.
In the Redskins’ backfield, they have running back Alfred Morris, who ran for eight touchdowns and (1,074 yards last term. He should get plenty of action this year since Roy Helu left the club for the Oakland Raiders during the offseason. Rookie Matt Jones will also be trying to fill the void and Washington will be up against the Dolphin defense which allowed 121.1 yards per game on the ground in 2014. Washington has won just three of their past 10 home encounters and were also 3-7 against the spread.
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