A changing of the guard has already taken place in Washington with Kirk Cousins winning the starting quarterback job heading into Sunday's season opener as home betting underdogs against the Miami Dolphins after failing to cover the number in four of five to end 2014.
Cousins was 1-4 straight-up and against the spread as the starter last year after replacing embattled quarterback Robert Griffin III, who was selected ahead of him in the same 2012 NFL Draft. Griffin appears on his way out of Washington, putting a lot of pressure on second-year head coach Jay Gruden to succeed without him playing.
The Dolphins do not have to worry about any quarterback controversy because Ryan Tannehill is coming off the best season of his three-year career. What they should be concerned about though is how they finished 2014, failing to cover the spread in five consecutive games.
With expectations much higher following the addition of All-Pro defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh and New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady winning his appeal, Miami can't afford to lose an early game like this as a road favorite.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
The Washington Redskins were listed as 1.5-point underdogs at Sportsbook and other online Sportsbooks, with the total listed at one point at 44.5.
Handicapping prediction models run by the computers at Odds Shark pick a 24-22 result in favor of the Dolphins. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NFL matchups here.
Miami Dolphins vs Washington Redskins Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Washington Redskins sit at 4-12 (5-11 ATS) on the season; in comparison, the Miami Dolphins are currently 8-8 (7-9 ATS). Looking to bet on the totals? Washington is 7-8-1 OU, and Miami is 8-8 OU. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Washington vs Miami injuries news.
The Power Rankings at Odds Shark have the No. 14-rated Miami Dolphins taking on the No. 31-rated Washington Redskins in this betting contest.
Statistical Matchup
Offensively, the game matches up the Washington Redskins No. 26-ranked offense (18.81 PPG) against a Miami Dolphins defense that ranks No. 19 at 23.31 PPG. The Redskins passing attack has averaged 252.94 yards per game, more than the Dolphins give up through the air (222.31 YPG on average).
In comparing defenses, the Miami Dolphins own the league's No. 27-rated front 7 in terms of stopping the run, allowing 130.38 yards per game when on the road. Washington, on the other hand, rates No. 22 this week in generating rushing yards at home.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Last time we saw the Dolphins, Lamar Miller racked up 178 rushing yards, but the Jets rolled to a 37-24 victory at Sun Life Stadium.
Robert Griffin III's 336-yard performance through the air wasn't enough last time out, as Dallas earned a 44-17 win over Washington on Sunday at FedExField.
- Miami is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games
- Miami is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of Miami's last 6 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Miami's last 6 games on the road
- Washington is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
- Washington is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games
- Washington is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games at home
- Washington is 3-9 SU in its last 12 games at home
Next Betting Matchups
Miami at Jacksonville, Sunday, September 20th
Washington home to St. Louis, Sunday, September 20th
