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Redskins vs. Dolphins – Game Preview and Pick

By Maurice Barksdale

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Nov 2, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Washington Redskins defensive end Jason Hatcher (97) celebrates his sack with linebacker Ryan Kerrigan (91) during the second quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Miami Dolphins: 0-0

Washington Redskins: 0-0

Redskins vs. Dolphins.  The Washington Redskins open the 2015 season at home against the Miami Dolphins.  The Redskins are a team trying break the cycle of two straight losing seasons and the Dolphins are trying make the playoffs after two consecutive 8-8 seasons.

The Dolphins come in with high expectations this seasons and many are predicting that they’ll make the playoffs this year.  Where as with the Redskins several pundits in the media are predicting a disastrous season for them.

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So by that logic the Dolphins should win this one easy shouldn’t they?  They have an up and coming quarterback in Ryan Tannehill who had his best season in 2014 and this year he’s expected to be even better.

The Dolphins signed arguably the top free agent in the league this year in defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh.  Combine Suh’s dominant play inside with the pass rushing skills of DE Cameron Wake off the edge and the Dolphins may have a great defense this year.

The Redskins as usual have been mired in drama during the preseason.  Quarterback Robert Griffin III has been in the headlines for saying he thinks he’s the best quarterback in the league.  He suffered a concussion and was replaced in the starting lineup by Kirk Cousins.

Many are using this so-called dysfunction as a reason the Redskins will be the worst team in the league this year but fortunately the Redskins have a chance to prove those predictions wrong by what they do on the field.

An on paper the Redskins should be a better team.  The offensive line is young on the right side with rookie Brandon Scherff at right guard and Morgan Moses at right tackle but the O-line should be better.

Cousins hasn’t been very good as a starter so far in his career but he earned the starting job from head coach Jay Gruden and he has confidence entering the season.  Defensively, is where the Redskins have added the most talent and where they should improve the most.

The Addition of defensive linemen Terrance Knighton and Stephen Paea should help outside linebacker Ryan Kerrigan and the Redskins front seven.  The Redskins have revamped their secondary with the signing of cornerback Chris Culliver and a trade for safety Dashon Goldson.

So while it might seem from the outside looking that the Redskins are overmatched by the Dolphins, I don’t think this is the case.  I think this game will be much closer than most think and in fact, I think the Redskins will win.

The improvements on defense have drawn the Redskins closer competitively to the Dolphins and I think the Redskins have an advantage at the skill positions on offense with the exception of quarterback.

Both defenses will perform well which will keep the scoring low but if the Redskins can limit their turnovers and establish a running game with Alfred Morris, I think they’ll win a close contest in Redskins vs. Dolphins.

Winner:   Redskins

Score prediction:       20-19  Redskins   

Points spread:      Dolphins -3.5

Over/under:  43.5– Under

1:00 pm – CBS

Next: Robert Griffin III has written Clearance to Play

Next: Redskins: Are they as Bad as Power Rankings suggest

Next: Redskins vs. Dolphins: Key to the Game - Limit / Create turnovers

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