The lighting rods of controversy that are the Washington Redskins begin their 2015 NFL at home. They’ll meet the visiting Miami Dolphins, who are seemingly very eager to test their new-look offense and defense.
With the Redskins ditching Robert Griffin III as the team’s starting quarterback, will Kirk Cousins be able to lead Washington into an upset win? Or will Ndamukong Suh and the rest of the Dolphins prove just how incapable Washington is by dealing them with a loss? Read on for more about this matchup.
For more Week 1 game preview, you can click here for Steelers vs. Patriots and here for Browns vs. Jets.
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Miami Dolphins vs. Washington Redskins Betting Preview and Prediction
Where: FedExField, Landover
When: Sunday, September 13, 1:00 PM ET
Line: Miami Dolphins (-3.5) vs. Washington Redskins (+3.5); total: 43.5– see all NFL lines
TV Broadcast: CBS
Betting on the Miami Dolphins
[sc:NFL240banner ]Miami hasn’t finished a season with a winning record since 2008, but hopes are high in South Beach that the Dolphins will finally get over that .500 hump this year. That optimism is brought about by a steadily improving Ryan Tannehill, a revamped receiving corps, and a retooled defense. It all begins for the Dolphins this coming September 3 on the road, where the Fins are just 1-3 SU in their last four games.
Despite the Dolphins’ struggles on the road late last season, they are still regarded as 3.5-point favorites when they arrive at FedEx Field. Miami being the chalk as the visiting team speaks volumes about the perceived weakness of the Redskins, whose flimsy offensive line appears to be incapable of staving off Ndamukong Suh and company.
By acquiring Suh over the offseason, Miami got a defensive tackle that can make everyone in the front seven better. Suh would definitely attract double teams from the Redskins, thus paving the way for talented pass rushers such as Cameron Wake (11.5 sacks in 2014) and Olivier Vernon (6.5 sacks) enough wiggle rooms to get to Kirk Cousins. Last season, the Redskins’ O-line allowed 58 sacks—second-most in the NFL.
The offense was also rejigged with the Dolphins’ front office bent on surrounding Tannehill with quality weapons. Back in 2014, the Dolphins were among the worst converting red zone opportunities into touchdowns. But by drafting wide receiver DeVante Parker (who’s still a question mark to play in Week 1 as he recovers from foot surgery) and signing tight end Jordan Cameron, Miami should have more success through the air, especially against Washington’s defense ranked 24th last season with 249.4 passing yards allowed per game
All the Redskins need at this point is a win. After bathing themselves with turmoil and drama while teetering on the edge of implosion during the offseason, the Redskins could get a nice reprieve if they can beat Miami in Week 1 at home. While that’s easier said than done, the Redskins having answered the question of who gets to start under center is one step closer towards the right direction.
That would be Kirk Cousins, who won the job over the embattled and oft-hurt Robert Griffin III. Cousins, who passed for 1,710 yards and 10 touchdowns last season, now has the task of utilizing wide receivers DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon and tight end Jordan Reed.
Jackson remained a big time down field threat after topping the league with an average of 20.9 yards per reception in 2014. Garcon only had 752 receiving yards last season after racking up 1,346 in 2013, but that regression can be largely attributed to Washington’s aforementioned poor offensive line. Washington spent three of its 10 draft picks on offensive line pieces, but whether those would be enough to parry Suh and the Dolphins’ front seven is something that remains to be seen.
As for the backfield, running back Alfred Morris (1,074 rushing yards, eight rushing touchdowns in 2014) can expect a big jump in his workload given the departure of Roy Helu, who’s now with the Raiders. Replacing Helu in the pecking order is Matt Jones, an unproven rookie, who will be baptized by Miami’s defense that yielded 121.1 rushing yards per game last season.
The Redskins are 3-7 SU and ATS in their last 10 games at home.
