| Running back Reggie Bush must have a big game for Miami to have a chance in Houston. (AP Images) |
Dolphins vs. Texans – Week 1
Where: Reliant Stadium (turf, indoors)
When: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS)
Spread: Texans by 12.
2011 records: Dolphins (6-10); Texans (10-6)
Past results: Two most recent meetings -- Sept. 18, 2011: Texans 23, Dolphins 13; December 27, 2009: Texans 27, Dolphins 20. Series record: Texans leads 6-0.
What matters: The Dolphins could be the worst team in the NFL. The team has questions along the interior of the offensive line, in the secondary and may have the least-talented receiving corps in the league for rookie quarterback Ryan Tannehill. Running back Reggie Bush will be the focal point of the offense after running for 1,086 yards with six touchdowns last year.
Who matters: Tannehill was the eighth overall pick in April’s draft and earned the starting job during training camp. He had a mediocre preseason and was a receiver in college at Texas A&M before switching positions late in his career. Defensive end Cameron Wake posted 8.5 sacks last year, but drew a league-high 13 holding penalties -- no other player in the league caused more than seven.
Key matchups: Miami may have the best combination of offensive tackles in the league with perennial Pro Bowler Jake Long on the left and rookie second-round pick Jonathan Martin on the right. Tannehill will only have a chance to work with a mediocre group of receivers if they can fend off Texans' linebackers Connor Barwin (11.5 sacks in 2011) and rookie first-round draft pick Whitney Mercilus.
Injuries of note: Long tweaked his right knee during the preseason but is expected to be fully recovered. Guard John Jerry has battled an ankle injury but likely will earn a start on the right side. Receiver Brian Hartline recently returned to practice after missing most of the preseason with a calf injury. He likely will be limited in his ability to stretch the field.
Inside stuff: Many fans couldn’t pick No. 1 cornerback Sean Smith out of a lineup, but the star of the secondary was a force during training camp. Smith made 62 tackles with two interceptions last year and will have the spotlight on him after the trade of cornerback Vontae Davis.
Connections: The Dolphins should recognize the backup quarterback for the Texans -- John Beck. The former second-round draft pick of Miami made five starts during 2007 when the team went 1-15. He was released two years later.
Stat you should know: The Dolphins averaged 4.41 yards on first down during the preseason. Only the Chargers, Giants, Bengals, Patriots and Buccaneers were worse. Not what you want to see from an offense counting on short-yardage situations to help a rookie quarterback.
Looking ahead: A loss against a trendy pick to win the Super Bowl wouldn’t be crippling with a Week 2 matchup against the Raiders and a Week 3 date versus the Jets looming. A win, however, could propel the team on an early winning streak with a relatively weak schedule to start the season.
Prediction: Texans 31, Dolphins 14
For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis on the Dolphins from blogger Dave Carey, follow @CBSSportsNFLMIA.