Miami Dolphins Week 10: 5 Keys for Dolphins' Victory over Washington Redskins

After a surprising win against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 9, the Miami Dolphins will be looking for back to back wins when they host the struggling Washington Redskins in Week 10.  Against the Chiefs, Miami looked like the team a lot of people where expecting to see in Week 1 against the New England Patriots. 

They looked solid on defense despite not having their best cornerback in Vontae Davis.  Matt Moore looked like a starting NFL quarterback throughout the game, throwing for 244 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions.  Reggie Bush had another solid game rushing for 92 yards on 13 carries and a touchdown. 

This week the Dolphins will take on a Redskins team that has lost four games in a row and has been plagued by injuries on offense and defense.  This is a great chance for the Dolphins to win their second consecutive game and to finally win a game in front of their home crowd.

Charles Clay Needs Utilized More

Charles Clay has versatility that is hard to defend against in any level of competition.  He can play tight end, fullback, running back and wide receiver.  He is without a doubt a "Jack of all trades". 

With Miami lacking a tight end other than Anthony Fasano, it's hard for this offense to spread the ball around and use different formations. 

Charles Clay is a mismatch for any opposing linebacker and can go up against defensive backs as well.  The Dolphins need to get creative and call plays where Clay can use his versatility and give the offense big plays.

With Washington's ability to rush the passer and Miami's inability to protect their quarterback, Clay would be an effective piece to the offense. He would give Matt Moore a quick check down when he is being pressured or he could block an extra rusher while Reggie Bush slips to the outside for a pass. 

Clay recorded three catches for 30 yards against the Chiefs. Coincidence?

Tony Sparano Needs To Unleash the Offense

The Miami Dolphins finally showed their opponents, and their fans, what they are capable of doing offensively.  They spread the ball around against the Kansas City Chiefs and put up 31 points. 

They finally utilized Anthony Fasano in the passing game, who most of the time has to help Marc Colombo with his blocking assignment, and it payed off for them. 

Brandon Marshall had a solid game and caught a touchdown in the end zone.  Where was he against New England in Week 1 and against the Jets in Week 6?  Reggie Bush continued to impress: He rushed for 92 yards and a touchdown, and also caught three passes for 30 yards.

This week against a good Washington secondary, Tony Sparano is going to have to unleash his offense. 

He has to get Reggie Bush out in space to take advantage of his speed, he has to use Anthony Fasano effectively and often, and not become too predictable.  He has to put Matt Moore in positions where he won't be pushed to make a tight throw that can lead to a turnover, and he has to make sure he gets his receivers involved early and often. 

Most importantly, Sparano can't get complacent towards the end of the game if the Dolphins are winning.  If he feels that the other team is on its heels, he has to knock them down and not feel pity for them. 

Reggie Bush Needs a Big Game

Not that I'm crediting Kim Kardashian for Reggie Bush's sudden increase in productivity, but what a coincidence. 

Since Kim filed for divorce, Reggie Bush has had two huge games that have helped the Dolphins become a lot more competitive.  He rushed for 103 yards against the New York Giants and followed it up with 92 rushing yards and a touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs.

This is the most rushing yards in back to back games that Bush has had since he came into the league as a second overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. 

In order for the Miami Dolphins to be competitive in this game, Reggie Bush is going to have to prove that his previous two performances weren't just a fluke.  The Dolphins need him to rush efficiently inside the tackles when he has to. He needs to be able to break a few runs for big chunks as he has done the last couple games. 

I expect the Dolphins to get Bush involved with the passing game to create mismatches against Washington's linebackers.  Bush needs a big game to help the Dolphins win and prove to people that he can be the lead back if given the opportunity.

Kevin Burnett Needs To Show Up Again

Kevin Burnett was finally spotted in a Dolphins uniform.  There were reports that people were still looking for him in San Diego.  Burnett had been a ghost during the first seven games of the season, but showed up in convincing fashion against the Kansas City Chiefs last week. 

The main reason Burnett was brought to South Florida was because of his coverage skills.  He was a big upgrade over Channing Crowder in that department.

However, Burnett had been unable to cover any tight ends or slot receivers throughout the start of the season.  He suddenly hit a switch when he landed in Kansas City and played lights out.  He recorded 12 tackles and 1.5 sacks. 

He will have to perform as well against the Washington Redskins if the Dolphins expect to win this game.  He will likely be given the assignment of covering tight end Fred Davis, and will have to do an excellent job. The Redskins will probably target Davis due to all the injuries they have suffered.  He can't make mistakes when he drops back into coverage and has to tackle effectively to help the defense contain the Redskins. 

His assignments during this game will not be even remotely close to the assignments he had against the New England Patriots, but he does need to have a big game if the Dolphins expect to win. 

The Dolphins boast a strong group of linebackers that have been nonexistent during the season, but last week they showed us what they are capable of doing.

Brandon Marshall Has To Be Productive

I'm not sure if Brandon Marshall switched gloves, if he just decided that he was going to play like the player everyone knows he can be, or if the confrontation with Vontae Davis had anything to do with it. 

Either way, he needs to put up performances like this every week if the Dolphins expect to be competitive week in and week out. 

He had one of his best games in a Dolphins uniform against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 9, and his impact clearly showed on everyone else's attitude and on the scoreboard.  Marshall caught eight passes, a season high, for 106 yards and a touchdown. 

What's interesting about the touchdown is that he didn't catch a pass at the 20 yard line and then ran it in: No, he caught a touchdown pass in the end zone.  Maybe that would have come in handy in previous games.

Brandon Marshall is going to need another big game in order for the Dolphins to win their second game in a row and their first home win in the last eight games.  Matt Moore is going to need Marshall to catch the ball consistently and often and to be able to get in the end zone. 

He is Miami's best receiver and a threat to any defense when he is playing up to his potential.  The Dolphins need him to be productive if they are going to have any chance of winning, not only this game but the remaining games.