This will be a battle of two teams heading in different directions.  The Redskins have lost four games in a row by a combined score of 95-44!  The Dolphins in the meantime won their first game of the season last weekend at Arrowhead Stadium by a score of 31-3.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Redskins have the ball:  The Redskins have morphed into a pass first team, which is o.k. if you have a good QB….which they don’t.  I’m sure Redskins’ starting QB John Beck would like to stick it to his old team this Sunday, but I’m not so sure that he’s capable of doing it.  The Dolphins are giving up 265.3 yards passing per game this year, so if he’s every going to turn things around, this is the weekend.  TE Fred Davis, WR Jabar Gaffney and RB Roy Helu are going to be the top targets in the passing game for the Redskins this weekend.  Rookie RB Roy Helu has taken over as the Redskins’ feature back in the offense but he might have a rough time against a Fins’ D that is only allowing 3.8 yards per carry this year.

When the Dolphins have the ball:  The Dolphins have been a lot more balanced on offense the last few weeks.  With that in mind, the Redskins better be ready to stop RBs Reggie Bush and Donald Thomas.  The Redskins have not defensed the run lately, so the Dolphins are going to try to take advantage of that.  QB Matt Moore is suddenly playing a lot better and he has a nice set of WRs in Brandon Marshall, Davone Bess and Brian Hartline.

PREDICTION:  DOLPHINS 24, REDSKINS 13

The Redskins have signed 26-year old OT Tyler Polumbus.  He played in 5 games (0 starts) earlier this year for the Seahawks.  He has now played in 51 games (15 starts) in his first four years in the NFL.  The Redskins’ offensive line has been decimated by injuries, which has short circuited the offense.  With that in mind, I really like this pickup for the Redskins.

59-year old head coach Mike Shanahan was supposed to get the Redskins back on the right track, but it hasn’t happened yet.  Going into this season with Rex Grossman and John Beck at QB was a recipe for disaster and things are starting to get ugly for them after a fast start.  The Redskins are now 3-5 on the season and they are only scoring 15.9 points per game so far!  That isn’t going to get it done this year.  The Redskins are now 9-15 (37.5%) in Shanahan’s first two years in charge.  I just can’t see owner Daniel Snyder sticking with Shanahan if he doesn’t starting seeing improvement in his team’s play.

The Redskins have signed 25-year old DT Kentwan Balmer.  Balmer played in all 16 games for the Seahawks last year and he had 43 tackles, 1 pass defensed and 4 tackles for a loss.  Balmer has now played in 43 games in his first three years in the NFL and he has 62 tackles, 2 passes defensed and 4 tackles for a loss.  The Redskins need more help on the interior of the D-Line and they hope Balmer will give it to them.

The Redskins have signed 28-year old WR David Anderson.  Anderson played in 2 games earlier this year with the Texans and he caught 1 pass for 9 yards.  He has now played in 63 games in his first six years in the NFL and he has caught 82 passes for 895 yards (10.9 avg) with 3 TD grabs.  The Redskins are hoping that Anderson will be the possession type #3 WR that they have been looking for.

The Redskins have waived 30-year old WR Donte’ Stallworth.  Stallworth played in four games for the Redskins last year and he caught 5 passes for 46 yards (9.2 avg).  He has now played in 107 games in his first 9 years in the NFL and he has caught 303 passes for 4,511 yards (14.9 avg) with 32 TD grabs.  It’s looking like Stallworth is near the end of this career as he didn’t step up when the Redskins needed him to.

UPDATE:  (11/15/2011) – The Redskins have re-signed Donte’ Stallworth.

The Redskins just weren’t good enough to beat the Niners yesterday.  John Beck completed 30 of 47 passes for 254 yards with 1 TD pass and 1 interception in this game.  Roy Helu got a lot of work in yesterday for the Redskins as he carried the ball 10 times for 41 yards (4.1 ypc) and he also caught 14 passes for 105 yards (7.5 avg).  TE Fred Davis (4 rec, 42 yards), WR Jabar Gaffney (4 rec, 40 yards, TD) and WR Leonard Hankerson (4 rec, 34 yards) helped out in the passing game for the Redskins yesterday.  The Redskins finished up with 52 yards rushing on 15 carries (3.5 ypc) and they also completed 30 of 47  passes (63.8%) for 251 yards as they had possession of the ball for 27:41.

The defense was so-so for the Redskins yesterday.  CB DeAngelo Hall (12 tackles, 1 tackle for a loss), safety Reed Doughty (11 tackles) and LB London Fletcher (10 tackles and 1 pass defensed) led the way for the Redskins on D yesterday.  Safety LaRon Landry pitched in with 8 tackles and 1 fumble recovery in this game.  The 49ers finished up with 138 yards rushing on 32 carries (4.3 ypc) and they also completed 17 of 24 passes (70.8%) for 188 yards in this game.  The Redskins are now 3-5 on the year.

The Redskins have placed 31-year old CB Phillip Buchanon on the Injured Reserve List, ending his season early due to a shoulder injury.  Buchanon played in 1 game for the Redskins this year, but he didn’t have any tackles.  Buchanon has now played in 17 games in his first two years with the Redskins and he has 49 tackles, 18 passes defensed, 2 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery and 2 tackles for a loss.

The Washington Redskins have lost three games in a row by a combined score of 76-33!  The Niners have won five games in a row in which they have outscored their opponents 130-63!  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Redskins have the ball:  The Redskins are likely going to try to run the ball on the Niners, who are only giving up 73.4 yards rushing per game and 3.5 yards per carry.  So Ryan Torain and Roy Helu are going to have to fight for every yard they get this Sunday.  John Beck needs to get rid of the ball faster because if he gets sacked 9 times like he did last week, the Redskins’ passing game is not going to take flight.  TE Fred Davis and WR Jabar Gaffney are going to get their shots this weekend for the Skins, but they need someone else to step up and help the passing game.

When the 49ers have the ball:  The Redskins are going to have to gang up to try to stop RB Frank Gore, because the Niners’ whole offense revolves around him.  The Redskins also need to put pressure on QB Alex Smith.  Smith has really played outstanding football and the passing game is starting to evolve for the 49ers right now, as he is throwing the ball down the field.  He does an excellent job of protecting the football too as he only has 2 interceptions so far this year.  WRs Michael Crabtree and Braylon Edwards are stepping up for the Niners in the passing game, while TEs Vernon Davis and Delanie Walker are still getting the ball.

PREDICTION:  49ERS 26, REDSKINS 3

The Washington Redskins aren’t getting enough out of the return game so far this year.  WR Brandon Banks has returned 22 kickoffs for 525 yards (23.9 avg) and he has also returned 19 punts for 177 yards (9.3 avg) so far this year.  Logan Paulsen (1 kickoff return, 0 yards) and WR Niles Paul (1 punt return for 0 yards) are the only other players besides Banks to return a kickoff or punt this year.  The Redskins have now returned 23 kickoffs for 525 yards (22.8 avg) and 20 punts for 177 yards (8.9 avg) so far this year.  The Redskins need more out of Brandon Banks and the return teams going forward.