The Miami Dolphins are entering their Week 6 contest against the Washington Redskins with everything to gain — and everything to lose. Washington’s team has experienced their fair share of turnover already. There have been quarterback changes, an All-Pro left tackle holding out for a trade and a head coaching change.
All of that adds up to some uncertainty for game planning. But what can the Dolphins expect to get out of Washington on defense — where the team has already had some success pressuring opposing quarterbacks?
Here are three Dolphins offensive players facing a critical match-up against Washington today.
C Daniel Kilgore
Kilgore has his hands full today no matter which defensive lineman lines up across from him. Da’Ron Payne, Jonathan Allen and Matt Ioaniddis all provide power and push — something that will test Kilgore’s ability to drop anchor and avoid getting collapsed into the lap of quarterback Josh Rosen. If Kilgore isn’t up to the test, the Dolphins aren’t going to be able to accomplish much of anything with the ball today.
WR DeVante Parker
Parker likely draws the most assignments against cornerback Josh Norman today — which is Washington’s best and most accomplished outside cornerback. Parker has provided some exciting flashes thus far this season and is on pace for a career high 804 receiving yards through four games. If Parker can make more with his targets (he’s only catching 41% of his targets this season), there’s more meat on the bone for Parker to take.
Norman will try to play Parker physical — can he out-muscle him for the ball?
QB Josh Rosen
Every week in which Rosen is playing, he’s on this list. Rosen himself suggested he’s on “tryout” with the Dolphins and needs to make the most of every week to make his case to be a potential long-term solution. Nothing would benefit the Dolphins more than for Rosen to transcend the conditions around him and become a franchise quarterback — but for now, we’ll settle for strong play without excessive sacks and turnovers.
The ability to get the ball out quickly and avoid pressure will be tested for Rosen today. Let’s see how he does.
