The Miami Dolphins are 9.5-point away favorites against the Washington Commanders after their NFL Black Friday triumph in New York. This season, the Dolphins have pampered themselves on inferior competition, exhibiting a trend of dominance versus lower-tier offenses.
It’s clear from watching them play that the Dolphins have performed exceptionally well against teams with weak passing offenses. With victories over the New England Patriots (twice), New York Giants, Carolina Panthers, New York Jets, and Las Vegas Raiders, they have a 6-0 record against the top 10 offensive teams this season. They have a 1-3 record in these types of games, including defeats to the Buffalo Bills, Philadelphia Eagles, and Kansas City Chiefs, thus their record against above-average offenses is less noteworthy. Given the Los Angeles Chargers’ current play, their tight victory over them early in the season has lost some of its luster.
The offensive the Dolphins face against the Commanders is statistically superior to many of the teams they have defeated this season. The Dolphins defense is becoming better but may not be at its best just yet. The Commanders offense, under coach Ron Rivera, might be a threat.
An intriguing factor to this contest is Rivera’s recent decision to take over the Commanders’ defensive play-calling duties. The Commanders’ performance against the Dolphins may be impacted by his possible involvement in the offensive scheme, which may involve pushing for a more run-heavy strategy to cut down on turnovers and preserve field position.
Even though the Dolphins are the favorites, some are hesitant to give them the advantage. The Commanders’ offensive has enough strength to maintain the contest competitive and, in a close game, might even be able to cover the spread. The Dolphins will try to keep up their momentum against the Commanders, who could prove to be a more formidable opponent than their record suggests. This game will be a fascinating test for both sides.
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