.png)
Week 13 - Washington Commanders (4-8) vs. Miami Dolphins (8-3)
Nuts & Bolts
Date: December 3, 2023
Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
Venue: FedEx Field - Landover, MD
How to Watch: FOX
Matchup History: Miami leads all-time series 9-6
Last Meeting: Washington def. Miami 17-16 on 10/13/19
Betting Lines: Via DraftKings
Spread: Washington +9.5
Over/Under: 49.5
Prediction: Washington 19, Miami 38
Official Game Notes: HERE
Follow Along on Twitter
Zach Penrice - DMV Sports: https://twitter.com/Zach_DMVSports
Head Coach: Ron Rivera (4th season, 26-35-1 record in Washington)
Record: 4-8 (0-5, 4th in NFC East)
Last Time Out: Lost @ Dallas 45-10 on 11/23/23
Highlights HERE
Player to Watch: Sam Howell
The Washington Commanders return home on Sunday afternoon following a 45-10 dismantling loss in Dallas on Thanksgiving against the Cowboys.
In the loss, Washington’s defense struggled to stop the Dallas offense while the Commanders and QB Sam Howell failed to put drives together, turning it over on downs three times in the second half of the game.
Sunday, the 4-8 Commanders welcome in the Miami Dolphins, which has the best offense in the NFL.
Washington will likely have to score prolifically if they want to stay in the game. If the Commanders offensive line, which surrendered four sacks in the loss to Dallas, can keep Howell upright while opening up the run game and keep the ball away from the Dolphins offense, Washington will have a chance to stay in the game.
On defense, the Commanders gameplan will start with defending the fastest player in the NFL, receiver Tyreek Hill, who leads the league in receiving yards with 1,324, 142 more than the next closest receiver.
If Washington can control the ball on offense without turning it over and keep Hill contained, they’ll have an opportunity to pull off the upset on Sunday in Landover.
Head Coach: Mike McDaniel (2nd season, 17-11 record in Miami)
Record: 8-3 (3-1, 1st in AFC East)
Last Time Out: Won @ New York Jets 34-13 on 11/24/23
Highlights HERE
Player to Watch: Tyreek Hill
Miami’s Tyreek Hill is currently on-pace to become the first wide receiver in NFL history to put up 2,000 receiving yards in a single season.
Currently, Hill has 1,324 yards on the year with six games remaining. His lowest output in a game this season was just 40 yards in the Week 2 win over New England. The most, his 215 yards in Week 1 against the Chargers.
In fact, there have only been two games this year (Buffalo, KC) in which Hill has not scored a touchdown.
All to say, the Dolphins offense goes as Tyreek goes.
Although the offense was the early story of the season for Miami, especially with the 70-20 drubbing of Denver in Week 3, it’s been the defense that has been finding more and more success as the season has gone on.
The Dolphins have allowed just 13 points in each of the last two games and enters Sunday as the 7th ranked defense in the league, allowing just 305 yards per game.
Where they’ve struggled on defense is in the redzone. Miami has given up 22.8 points per game, ranking 22nd in the league in PPG allowed.
They’ve not given up many yards, but have allowed opponents to make the most of opportunities.
This is a big reason why the narrative around this team is that they’re good, but not great. The Dolphins have lost all of its biggest games this season, losing to Buffalo, Philadelphia, and Kansas City so far this year.
The wins have all come against teams that are below .500. Of course, with Washington sitting below .500 at 4-8, that bodes well for Miami.