Game Preview, Week 13: Miami Dolphins at Washington
December 1, 2023
by Steve Thomas
Washington and the Miami Dolphins are two teams that are going in opposite directions. The Dolphins are 8 – 3, in first place, and have seemingly found their franchise quarterback. Washington, meanwhile, is 4 – 8, in last place, and are currently on the cusp of a probably total rebuild of the entire organization. Such is life with Washington football. Certainly, getting a win – or even staying competitive – is going to be a tall order, particularly for defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio defensive coordinator Ron Rivera and head coach Ron Rivera. At this point, with the competitive part of the season now over, many fans hope that the team will play for a higher draft choice, which would entail losing out. That’s entirely possible given the upcoming schedule. Certainly, the players hope otherwise, and that entails playing well and beating the Dolphins. How can they do that? Read on, as our game preview begins below.
Game time & location: Sunday, December 3, 2023, 1:00 p.m. ET, Fed Ex Field, Raljon, Maryland; Gates open 11:00 a.m. ET; Red Zone parking lots open 8:00 a.m.; all other parking lots 9:00 a.m.
Television: FOX
Television announcers: Adam Amin, Mark Schlereth
TV broadcast map: click here
DC-area radio: BIG-100 (WBIG FM)
Washington radio network: click here
Dolphins radio network: click here
Satellite radio: SiriusXM: 231 (Wash. broad.); internet: 831
Washington roster: click here
Washington depth chart: click here
Dolphins roster: click here
Dolphins depth chart: click here
Records: Washington 4 – 8 (home 1 – 4); Dolphins 8 – 3 (away 3 – 3)
All-time head-to-head record vs Dolphins: 5 – 8 (last 5: 2 – 3; streak: 1 – 0)
Last meeting: W, October 13, 2019, 17 – 16
Early odds: Dolphins, -9.5
3 KEYS TO THE GAME
Long, slow drives featuring screens and short dump-offs
The Dolphins have the second-highest scoring offense in the NFL, with 339 points in 11 games. To put that output in context, Washington has scored 246 points in 12 games. Therefore, Washington needs to keep the Dolphins offense off the field, and the best way to do that is to string together a series of long, time-consuming drives. Unfortunately for Washington, though, Miami also happens to feature one of the best run defenses in the league, surrendering an average of just 3.8 yards per carry. Therefore, this probably isn’t the game for The Rush Hater, offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, to change tactics and increase the team’s number of carries. Instead, Washington needs to rely on screens and short passes this week.
Focus on zone coverage, not blitzing
The Dolphins have only surrendered 18 sacks all year, which is the third-least in the NFL, and has given up a sack percentage of just 4.5%, also ranked third. Considering the amount of offensive talent Miami has, Washington needs to focus on coverage this week and not blitz corners and linebackers on a regular basis. The danger is from the receiving corps, and the odds are that Washington will not be able to put quarterback Tua Tagovailoa under significant pressure no matter how hard they try.
Solid pass blocking by the offensive line
The Dolphins’ defense has earned 38 sacks this year, which is third-most in the NFL. Considering the quality of their rushing defense, a passing attack is definitely the way to go, particularly considering that Miami is less successful in that area, at least relatively speaking. However, Howell getting sacked 5 or 6 times in this game, and being under pressure all day, isn’t going to make for a successful effort. Washington’s offensive line needs to figure out how to keep Sam Howell clean this week.
3 KEY MATCHUPS
Benjamin St-Juste vs Tyreek Hill
On the surface, this sounds like a terrible matchup, and it is. Hill is a significant challenge for anyone, even the best, let alone an up and coming corner like St-Juste. The biggest problem here is that St-Juste is more of a big-bodied corner, whereas Hill relies on speed and moves to get open. The Dolphins may try to scheme away from Kendall Fuller and to St-Juste for that reason. Washington needs St-Juste to be on his toes this week and play his best game of the season.
Terry McLaurin vs Jalen Ramsey
Let’s be honest and admit that, for whatever reason, McLaurin has had a mediocre year by his standards. Regardless, though, this is probably the highest profile individual matchup in the game, as Ramsey, who is a three-time First Team All-Pro selection, is one of the NFL’s elite defensive backs. Keep an eye out on this matchup, and whether McLaurin seems to be strangely silent this week. If we hear his name a reasonable amount, it could mean that he’s actually getting the better of Ramsey.
Howard may not be at Ramsey’s level, but he’s a serious talent in his own right and has 4 Pro Bowls and a First Team All-Pro selection on his resume. Like McLaurin, Dotson has also had a somewhat down year, but nevertheless, as a first round pick, he has expectations on him. Washington will need Dotson to do well while facing off with a very tough second corner. Watch out for how well Dotson is doing against Howard as the game progresses.
OFFICIAL INJURY REPORT (active roster only)
LP – limited practice FP – full practice DNP – did not practice
NIR – not injury related Q – questionable O – out
D – doubtful NL – not listed
| Washington | Dolphins |
| CB E. Forbes, elbow; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP | S J. Holland, knees; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP |
| DE J. Smith-Williams, hamstring; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP | T K. Lamm, back; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP |
| FB A. Armah, hamstring; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP | RB D. Achane, knee; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP |
| C T. Larsen, knee; Wed: DNP; Thurs: LP | T T. Armstead, knee/quad; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP |
| RB C. Brooks, knee; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP | |
| DB E. Campbell, shoulder; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP | |
| LB B. Chubb, knee; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP | |
| WR C. Claypool, knee; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP | |
| OL L. Cotton, illness; Wed: NL; Thurs: LP | |
| LS B. Ferguson, ankle; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP | |
| WR T. Hill, ankle; Wed: DNP; Thurs: LP | |
| OL R. Hunt, hamstring; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP | |
| FB A. Ingold, foot/ankle; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP | |
| OL R. Jones, knee; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP | |
| RB R. Mostert, ankle/knee; Wed: DNP; Thurs: LP | |
| TE D. Smythe, ankle; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP | |
| OL C. Williams NIR – Illness; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP | |
| QB T. Tagovailoa, right arm (laceration); Wed: FP; Thurs: FP |
Steve’s Prediction
The Dolphins are obviously going to win this game; the only question is the margin of victory. I think Miami wins 34 – 20.