The Miami Dolphins have won their first two games following the bye week, as they now gear up to face the Washington Commanders on the road in Week 13.
This is a game between two teams with much different narratives at this point in the season.
Miami is seeking to remain competitive for the number one seed in the AFC, while the Commanders traded away two key defensive linemen, Chase Young and Montez Sweat, at the deadline.
While a 4-8 record looks quite mediocre on paper, this is not a team the Dolphins can afford to overlook.
Washington has played the 10-1 Philadelphia Eagles competitively twice this season, as both games featured both teams scoring over 30 points, and one of the games went into overtime.
While the Commanders have been widely inconsistent, they’re a capable team with a talented offense coached by Ron Rivera.
In order to secure a decisive victory, there are a few players who’ll specifically need to step up to make it happen.
CB Jalen Ramsey
Ramsey has been on fire since his debut with the Dolphins in their Week 8 victory over the New England Patriots, recording three interceptions in his first four games wearing the aqua and orange.
Over that span, Miami’s defense has held opponents to an average of 16 points.
This week will give Ramsey a chance to create turnovers against a passing offense.
The Commanders have a group of talented wide receivers featuring Terry McLaurin, Curtis Samuel and Jahan Dotson. Running back Brian Robinson has also proven to be a threat in the passing game. Ramsey could find himself lined up against any of the three Washington receivers during the game.
Commanders Quarterback Sam Howell has done an excellent job spreading the ball around and keeping defenses guessing, as six players on the Washington offense have multiple touchdowns in 2023.
Howell leads the NFL with 3,339 passing yards on the season with 18 touchdowns.
However, he’s proven to be turnover-prone, as he’s tied with Buffalo’s Josh Allen for the most interceptions (13).
If this game turns out to be a high-scoring shootout, Ramsey could have some opportunities to increase his interception total. With two offenses capable of putting up points, turnovers will be even more magnified.
Ramsey’s presence in the secondary has paid dividends so far, so look for him to continue his stellar play on Sunday.
RB Raheem Mostert
Mostert has been a star out of the backfield for the Miami offense. He ranks second in the NFL in yards (785) and first in touchdowns (13). He’s also maintained an outstanding 5.2 yards per carry average.
This matchup against Washington could see the importance of the running game as a deciding factor.
The Commanders rank fourth in the NFL in time of possession. While this stat hasn’t proven to reflect their record, it’s not something Miami can afford to ignore.
The absence of Jaelan Phillips should spark some confidence in the Washington offense, incentivizing them to try and wear down the Miami defense.
Mostert will be key to flipping the time of possession in the Dolphins’ favor. While De’Von Achane is returning to the backfield, Mike McDaniel will likely continue to keep a close eye on Achane’s knee.
Expect Mostert to get the bulk of the carries and do a lot with them.
LB Andrew Van Ginkel
With Phillips sidelined for the season with an Achilles tear, it’ll be up to Van Ginkel to assume primary responsibility on the edge rush. This transition is a downgrade in size and explosiveness, as Phillips had been playing great this season and was dominating a mediocre Jets offensive line before the injury.
On the bright side, Van Ginkel has proven to be a disruptive force when called upon. He has a relentless hustle to his game with great technique and athletic ability. He’s also shown the ability to be effective against run and pass plays.
Miami came into the season with depth at linebacker knowing defensive coordinator Vic Fangio would utilize a 3-4 defense. This has made it moderately difficult for Van Ginkel to impact the edge rush consistently.
Van Ginkel showed the ability to be a dominant presence in the Dolphins’ Week 2 victory over New England. In this game, he had six tackles, one sack and a tackle for loss while recording three quarterback hits on Mac Jones. Van Ginkel made multiple momentum-shifting plays on third and fourth down. If Van Ginkel can perform like this consistently in the absence of Phillips, he’ll be in for a stellar finish to his 2023 campaign.
The need for Van Ginkel to perform begins in Week 13.
Applying pressure to Howell should make for more rushed throws and turnover opportunities. The rest of the season will be an opportunity for Van Ginkel to earn a good contract for next season. Keep an eye on him.
QB Tua Tagovailoa
Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has lost some of his MVP status as the season has progressed. This is mostly due to the Dolphins’ lack of signature wins. He’s also thrown a couple of bad interceptions in the games since the bye week, one against the Las Vegas Raiders and two against the Jets.
This upcoming game is an opportunity for Tagovailoa to showcase some dominance with the offense around him.
The Commanders have the worst defense in the NFL, allowing 29.2 points per game. Tagovailoa and company should be expecting to go out and score at least 30 points easily. Miami is undefeated in games where they’ve scored over 30 points, making it a good benchmark for the offense while Fangio’s defense is capable of handling their business.
The Dolphins are clearly the better team on Sunday, but offensive turnovers have helped bad teams remain competitive against them in previous games. If Tagovailoa brings his best game on Sunday and limits turnovers, it should make for smooth sailing into Week 14 against the Tennessee Titans.
