Commanders vs Dolphins Prediction & Betting Tips for NFL Preseason Week 1 on 8/14/2026

The 2026 NFL preseason kicks off with an exciting matchup between the Miami Dolphins and the Washington Commanders. Taking place at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland, this game is set to start at 7:00 PM on Friday, August 14. With the weather forecast predicting light rain and a mild breeze, fans can expect a classic outdoor football experience.

Leading the Miami Dolphins into this preseason opener is head coach Jeff Hafley. Despite finishing last regular season with a 7-10 record, the Dolphins are looking to make improvements under the guidance of offensive coordinator Bobby Slowick and defensive coordinator Sean Duggan. Their road performance last season left room for improvement, as they recorded only two wins away from Hard Rock Stadium.

The Washington Commanders, led by head coach Dan Quinn, are eager to start fresh after a challenging 5-12 season. Offensive coordinator David Blough and defensive coordinator Daronte Jones will aim to revitalize both sides of the ball. The Commanders struggled at home last year, winning just two games, and will be looking to turn things around in front of their home crowd this preseason.

According to the consensus odds, the Dolphins are favored with a moneyline of -151, while the Commanders sit at +126. The spread is set at -3.0 in favor of Miami, with a total over/under of 36.5. Both teams will aim to set a positive tone for the season ahead in this early preseason encounter.

Commanders vs Dolphins At a Glance (Preseason Week 1)

• The game is scheduled for the 2026 Preseason, Week 1.
• The Miami Dolphins are facing the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD.
• The weather forecast predicts a mild day with light rain.
• The Dolphins finished the previous regular season with a 7-10 record.
• The Commanders ended last season with a 5-12 record.
• Miami is favored with a moneyline of -151, while Washington's moneyline is +126.

The Commanders Prepare for a New Preseason Challenge

Offensive Overview

The Washington Commanders finished the 2025 regular season with an offense ranked 21st in points scored, averaging 20.9 points per game. Their offensive unit accumulated 5,419 yards, positioning them 22nd in the league. Notably, their rushing game stood out, ranking 4th with 2,290 yards.

Despite some struggles in the passing game, where they ranked 24th with 3,129 yards, the Commanders look to refine their aerial attack this preseason. The absence of preseason stats for the top QBs, RBs, and WRs leaves fans eager to see how the offense will shape up.

Defensive Insights

On the defensive side, the Commanders faced challenges, allowing opponents to score 451 points, placing them 27th in the league. Their defense allowed the most yards in the league, surrendering 6,528 total yards. Stopping the run was particularly problematic as they ranked 30th, giving up 2,406 rushing yards.

However, Washington's defensive line did excel in pressuring opposing quarterbacks, achieving 42 sacks, which ranked them 8th. The Commanders will aim to bolster their defense in the upcoming games to limit opponent scoring.

Key Players to Watch

In the absence of detailed preseason stats, players like Terry McLaurin and Jacory Croskey-Merritt, who had solid performances last year, will be crucial. McLaurin, who caught 38 passes for 582 yards and 3 touchdowns in 10 games last season, is expected to lead the receiving corps. Croskey-Merritt's contribution of 805 rushing yards and 8 touchdowns from 2025 indicates his importance in the running game.

The Commanders' coaching staff will be keen to see how these players, along with others on the depth chart, perform as they experiment with different lineups and strategies during the preseason.

Injury Updates

Laremy Tunsil and Deatrich Wise Jr. are key players facing injury setbacks. Tunsil is dealing with a torn tricep and is expected to move to injured reserve, affecting the offensive line's stability. Wise Jr. is recovering from a quad injury and is currently on the physically unable to perform list.

The absence of these players could impact the Commanders' ability to protect the quarterback and apply defensive pressure, making it crucial for backups to step up.

Upcoming Preseason Games

The Commanders' preseason schedule kicks off with a home game against the Miami Dolphins on August 14, 2026. Following this, they will face the Detroit Lions and Baltimore Ravens on the road. These games provide opportunities for the coaching staff to evaluate talent and make adjustments before the regular season.

Fans will have their first glimpse of the team's adjustments and depth as the Commanders prepare for their regular-season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles on September 13, 2026.

Washington Commanders Betting Trends

• In their last 7 regular season home games, the Commanders went over the total 6 times.
• After a preseason win, the Commanders have gone over the total in their last 5 games.
• The Commanders have gone over the total in their last 4 regular season games as underdogs.
• Following a regular season loss, they covered the spread in their last 3 games.
• As preseason favorites, they covered the spread in 3 of their last 4 games.

Miami Dolphins Ready to Make Waves Against the Washington Commanders

Quarterback Depth and Outlook

The Miami Dolphins head into the preseason with a quarterback depth chart led by Malik Willis, followed by Quinn Ewers and Cam Miller. Malik Willis will likely take the reins in this preseason game, providing an opportunity to evaluate his potential as a leader for the Dolphins' offense. With no stats available yet for this season, all eyes will be on Willis to see how he commands the field against the Commanders.

Running Back Strength

De'Von Achane stands out as the leading running back for the Dolphins, coming off an impressive 2025 season where he accumulated 1,350 rushing yards, ranking fifth in the league. He'll be a key component in establishing a strong ground game against Washington. Backing him up are Ollie Gordon II and Jaylen Wright, adding depth and versatility to the Dolphins' rushing attack.

Wide Receiver Core

Jalen Tolbert tops the wide receiver depth chart, offering speed and agility that will be crucial in stretching the Commanders' defense. With Malik Washington handling return duties, his dual-threat capability adds another layer to the Dolphins' offensive strategy. The receiving corps will aim to capitalize on any gaps in Washington's secondary to make significant plays downfield.

Tight End and Special Teams Contributions

Greg Dulcich leads the tight end group, expected to contribute both in blocking schemes and as a receiving target. Riley Patterson, handling both kicking and kickoff specialist duties, will play an essential role in securing field position and capitalizing on scoring opportunities. Special teams could be pivotal in this matchup, especially if the game becomes a tight contest.

Defensive Strategy and Injuries

The Dolphins' defense will look to make an impact despite several players on the injured reserve list, including Zane Gonzalez and Carter Warren. The team's depth chart features solid contributors like Chop Robinson at left defensive end and Jordyn Brooks at middle linebacker. Their performance will be critical in containing the Commanders' offense.

Challenges and Opportunities

Miami's defense ranked ninth in sacks last season, and they aim to maintain pressure on the Commanders' quarterback. The challenge lies in improving their run defense, which ranked 26th in opponent rushing yards. This preseason game offers a chance for the defense to tighten up and test new strategies.

Team Betting Trends

• The Dolphins are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 preseason games after a loss.
• In their last 4 preseason away games, the over has hit each time.
• They hold an 11-3 ATS record in their last 14 preseason games.
• As preseason favorites, they are undefeated in the last 3 games.

Commanders vs Dolphins Prediction: Over 36.5

As the Miami Dolphins and Washington Commanders gear up for their preseason opener, the focus is on whether the game will exceed the total points line of 36.5. Given the defensive struggles both teams exhibited last season, an 'over' pick seems plausible. The Dolphins allowed an average of 24.9 points per game, while the Commanders gave up 26.5 points per game in the 2025 regular season.

The Commanders’ tendency to hit the over in recent games further supports this prediction. They've achieved the over in six of their last seven home regular season games. Additionally, their record of hitting the over in recent preseason games when playing as underdogs indicates a potential high-scoring game.

The Dolphins' offensive output last season, averaging 20.4 points per game, complements the Commanders' 20.9 points per game. In a preseason setting, where defenses might experiment and rotate players, this could lead to more scoring opportunities.

Considering both teams' defensive vulnerabilities and their offensive tendencies, a scoreline that surpasses 36.5 is likely. A projected final score might look like Dolphins 24 - Commanders 20.

• Commanders vs Dolphins Prediction: Over 36.5
• Commanders vs Dolphins Score: Dolphins 24 - Commanders 20

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