Miami Dolphins: What the Fins Should Do When They Take on the Texans in Week 1

Football fans across the nation have been waiting all summer for the NFL season to finally kick off.

Dolphin fans especially look toward the upcoming season with anticipation for the first career regular-season start of quarterback Ryan Tannehill.

However, this season, the Dolphins are paired with an incredibly difficult matchup to start off the year, an away game against the Houston Texans.

Over the past few seasons, the Texans have dramatically improved their game as a unit. With arguably one of the best running backs and one of the best wide receivers in the NFL with Arian Foster and Andre Johnson, the dynamic offense of the Houston squad has lit up scoreboards in the regular season. 

On the other side of the ball, the Texans have improved their defense drastically over the past few years but will miss now Buffalo Bill Mario Williams.

While experts have predicted a relatively painless Texans victory, there are some things the Dolphins should keep in mind if they hope to pull off the upset and begin the Tannehill era with a win.

Defensively, the Dolphins have not been as strong as they would have liked to be in the preseason. Everything changes once the regular season kicks off, but Miami still has strides to go, especially in the secondary, if they hope to be a defensive force.

That being said, considering the strength of the Houston offense, the Dolphins will need a stalwart defensive effort in order to beat the Texans. That could come if Miami does everything it can to keep their defense off the field.

The Dolphins must run and run the football. Reggie Bush should see over 20 carries at the very least. Daniel Thomas should see at least 10. They should even give Lamar Miller the ball a few times. Wear out the Texans defense and wear down the clock.

Miami has a strong running game and should use it to its advantage. If the Dolphins hope to pull off the upset, controlling the football is imperative.

Tannehill will get his fair share of passing attempts this season, but against the Texans, let the running game do the work. The time of possession must be completely one-sided.

Then, hopefully, and I mean it when I say hopefully, the Dolphins can win in Week 1.