Dolphins vs. Redskins: Full Miami Game Preview
It has been a long time since Miami Dolphins fans have been so eager for the start of the NFL season.
Thanks to a revamped defensive line, revamped wide receiver corps and a continually ascending starting quarterback, the Dolphins are set to begin what looks to be a promising season in Washington, taking on a team that Dolphins fans could sympathize with in terms of dysfunction.
What's interesting is that the Dolphins have opened up in Washington twice in their history, and the two seasons couldn't have been any different.
In 1984, Week 1 saw Dan Marino, Mark Duper and Mark Clayton torch Washington's vaunted defense en route to a 37-17 drubbing. Washington was the defending NFC champion at the time and would finish that season at 11-5, while the Dolphins would go on to win the AFC Championship for the last time with a 14-2 record.
In 2007, the two teams would again face off in a Week 1 matchup in our nation's capital, only this time Washington would wind up winning the game in overtime, kicking off a 9-7 season in which it made the playoffs.
As for the Dolphins, they'd get their first win of that season much later on.
Based on this information, I don't know what to make of the fact that Miami travels to Washington to open the season except that it could be the start of a historic Dolphins campaign.
With the roster Miami has, it will hopefully be historic like 1984 rather than 2007. Meanwhile, Washington is likely to suffer a 2007 Dolphins fate based off everything swirling around the team.
That does not mean Miami should discount Washington—far from it. This is still the NFL, and the phrase "any given Sunday" isn't just the title of Al Pacino's last decent movie. It's in the vernacular because upsets can happen.
Is this that upset? Read on to find out as we preview Miami's Week 1 matchup with Washington.
Location: FedEx Field, Landover, Md.
Time: 1 p.m. ET
TV: CBS
Preseason Results and Recap
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Miami's 1-3 preseason record might not look like the mark of success, but you can blame the second- and third-stringers for that mark.
Many of those players are no longer Miami Dolphins.
The first-team units on both sides of the ball were dominant, outscoring the opposition 35-3. Ryan Tannehill had an impressive preseason, completing 80.5 percent of his passes for 303 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions for a quarterback rating of 121.8.
Miami's first-team defense was impressive as well, especially up front. This was showcased against the Atlanta Falcons in the third preseason game when it held Atlanta's first-team offense to only three points and zero rushing yards.
Those are stats that should make Dolphins fans feel good about the upcoming season. Equally important is the reminder that those stats now do not count, and it's time to make their mark for good.
| Team | Wins | Losses | Ties | GB | Winning Percentage |
| Buffalo Bills | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | 0.000 |
| Miami Dolphins | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | 0.000 |
| New England Patriots | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | 0.000 |
| New York Jets | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | 0.000 |
News and Notes
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Albert, Parker Expected to Play Sunday
As noted on the previous slide, Miami's first-team offense was very good during the preseason despite missing two of its key players.
That's expected to change come Sunday, as Adam H. Beasley of the Miami Herald reported that Branden Albert will play on Sunday, while wide receiver DeVante Parker is expected to play.
The decision to play Albert was first announced by Albert himself when answering a question about him starting. “We all know the answer. I don’t think I have to say too much more. I’ve been starting with the first team all week. I’m going to continue. So there goes your answer,” he said.
Head coach Joe Philbin would confirm this later on in the afternoon.
"He’s absolutely full-go. He’s progressed on a daily basis," he said. "Like I said when we started out, we’ll do what’s best for the team, best for Branden Albert. We’ve communicated with him and he’s communicated with us throughout the entire process. We feel like it’s the best decision for the team."
The stats from 2014 confirm that starting Albert is the best decision for the team. Albert graded out at 17.5 and allowed only five quarterback hurries while starting at left tackle. His replacement, Ja'Wuan James, graded out at minus-23 while playing left tackle and allowed 24 quarterback hurries and four sacks.
As for DeVante Parker, while the expecations are that he will play, there is some doubt. Miami has six receivers on the team and will have five active for Sunday. Parker has worked out with the first team all week, and in his one preseason appearance, he made a catch for 11 yards.
If he doesn't play, it will be as a precaution—one that I wouldn't mind seeing the Dolphins take with their No. 1 receiver of the future.
Kelvin Sheppard to Start in the Middle, Koa Misi on the Outside, Chris McCain Hopes to Play "Jack"
Miami released its depth chart this week, and one thing you'll notice is that Koa Misi is back outside with Kelvin Sheppard playing in the middle.
Where does this leave Chris McCain? Per Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, McCain hopes to play the "Jack" role in Miami's defense, the one originally meant for the suspended Dion Jordan.
McCain claims the role is a "fun job" because it allows him to "do a lot of things" including rushing the quarterback and dropping back into coverage. He has experience in the role, as he played it well in 2014 during Miami's Week 1 victory over New England.
The role is a limited one, though, averaging about 20-30 snaps per game. Defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle has been noncommittal about whether McCain would take that role, but considering his experience at the position, it would make a lot of sense.
Brice McCain Starts Over Jamar Taylor at Cornerback
One of the biggest training camp battles has been the battle at second starting cornerback between Jamar Taylor and Brice McCain, and for Week 1, McCain has the advantage.
Andrew Abramson of the Palm Beach Post reported that McCain beat out Taylor for the starting job, but Taylor had expected the move:
"I knew it was coming just ‘cause I’m hurt. When you get hurt you got to expect the next man to carry the flag. It comes with playing the game.
If I was healthy who says it couldn’t have been me? I know I was hurt and they need the best man to play in the game.
"
Taylor is still nursing a quad injury suffered in the second preseason game against Carolina, an injury that occurred after he picked off Cam Newton. Prior to the injury, Taylor had played very well in practice and in the preseason and looked poised to take the starting job.
McCain is normally a slot corner, so the shift to the outside will take some time to settle into, yet he should be able to adjust quickly. McCain played outside during the preseason, at times alternating with Taylor in the slot.
As for Taylor's injury status for Sunday, that's still up in the air.
Latest Injury News
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| Player | Position | Injury | Status |
| Branden Albert | OT | Knee | Probable |
| DeVante Parker | WR | Foot | Probable |
| LaMike James | RB | Shoulder | Probable |
| Jamar Taylor | CB | Thigh | Probable |
| Jason Fox | OT | Concussion | Doubtful |
Injury status provided by MiamiDolphins.com.
Seems like aside from Jason Fox, all players will be available for Miami come Sunday.
LaMike James is the only new addition to the injury list, as he was limited in practice as of Thursday before returning to practice in full on Friday (per Alain Poupart of MiamiDolphins.com).
Jason Fox was the only player who did not practice with the team throughout the week, and as such, he's doubtful for Sunday's game.
More updates will be made to the injury report as they come.
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Key Matchups
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Brent Grimes vs. DeSean Jackson
Washington doesn't have a lot of weapons around quarterback Robert Griffin III Kirk Cousins, but it does have an explosive one in DeSean Jackson.
He will likely be the most targeted receiver for Washington and is coming off a season in which he pulled down 56 catches for 1,169 yards and six touchdowns.
Brent Grimes will be responsible for Jackson for most of the game, and the two have played against each other before, but not since 2011. In that game, Jackson was held to two catches for 21 yards.
If Grimes can replicate that type of coverage and shut Jackson down, it will be a very long afternoon for the Washington offense.
Brandon Scherff vs. Ndamukong Suh
Brandon Scherff was picked fifth overall in the 2015 draft, so there are lofty expectations surrounding the rookie guard.
For his inaugural NFL contest, he's matched up against the dominant Ndamukong Suh.
Guards are very rarely drafted so high, but you'd expect one drafted this high to at least hold his own against Suh. If that's the case, tip your hat to the kid.
Not that it's expected, but if it does happen, Washington's anemic offense might be able to make some noise come Sunday—or at least have a little bit of time to create the possibility of it.
Chris Culliver vs. Jarvis Landry
Dolphins fans expect big things of Jarvis Landry, and Beasley noted that Landry expects to exceed said expectations.
The rest of the league knows that too, so expect Landry to be matched up against some of the league's best corners throughout the season.
Chris Culliver isn't one of the best in the league, but he's a pretty good cornerback who graded out at 8.0 and allowed no touchdowns, while quarterbacks rated at 73.8 when the ball was thrown his way in 2014.
He'll likely get the Landry assignment on Sunday, and it should be a great battle between a physical corner and a receiver who can match his physicality.
Matchup X-Factors
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Miami Dolphins' X-Factor of The Week: Kelvin Sheppard
Kelvin Sheppard started one game for the Miami Dolphins in 2014 due to injuries ravaging Miami's linebackers.
Sheppard graded out at minus-0.4 for the game, as New England took advantage of Miami's inability to stop the run or the short pass.
The defensive line is different in 2015 and should give Sheppard and the rest of Miami's linebackers an opportunity to make an impact.
Washington could choose to run a short-passing game that takes advantage of speed mismatches, which is the best way to beat the Dolphins defense based on what we saw in the preseason. As the middle linebacker and captain of the defense, it will be up to Sheppard to put a stop to it through his play as well as how he communicates with the rest of the defense.
Prediction: Miami 27, Washington 10
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It's worth noting that no game in the NFL is a gimme.
On the surface, this feels like one. This is one of the few times when I can say with confidence that Miami has the edge in every matchup—including a big advantage at head coach.
With that said, would it surprise you if a Washington team that has spent the entire preseason as the NFL's laughing stock came out angry and made a statement against a team that's projected to be a legitimate force in the AFC?
If you're a Miami Dolphins fan, it wouldn't surprise you—you have #ThatsSoDolphins set as an auto-correct for a reason.
You can let that fear go. Washington's offensive line, as strong as it might be, is no match for Miami's defensive line. Kirk Cousins might be a competent NFL quarterback, but competent is his ceiling and not his floor.
Miami's offense, missing its key piece while dominating in the preseason, will have said piece ready against a pass rush that's without its best player from the last few years.
This is a game Miami should win handily, and it more than likely will.
Final Prediction: Miami 27, Washington 10.
Statistics provided by NFL.com, Pro-Football-Reference.com and Pro Football Focus unless otherwise noted.
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