The Week 13 matchup between the Miami Dolphins and the Washington Commanders may not be a must-win game for Miami for playoff implications, but a loss here would pose some massive questions about the upcoming playoff viability of the Dolphins.

Miami has fielded one of the best offenses in the NFL in 2023 and has a star-studded defense that can play with anyone. The Commanders are a different story.

While it is always hard to win in the NFL, especially on the road, the Dolphins have no excuses this week.

The Dolphins have everything going in their favor right now. The same can't be said about the Commanders.

Miami is a comfortable 8-3 atop the AFC East, just dominated a division rival, and had extra rest than a normal week.

While the Commanders played their last game a day earlier, their season has gone very different. After trading away key players, firing coaches, and getting beaten badly on Thanksgiving, Washington sits at a mere 4-8 and has little hope of turning anything around this season.

The odds couldn't be more stacked in Miami's favor. 

The Dolphins should have the advantage in every area from the players on the field to the coaches. This advantage has to play out in a tangible way in the box score.

Miami is still trying to prove that it has the legs to go far in the playoffs. This game (and the following one) will be the best ways for the Dolphins to get right and get their confidence up before they have to play three of their toughest games against three likely playoff teams.

There is no excuse this weekend; the Dolphins have to win big. It will help set the tone for the rest of the season. 

Dolphins have new important claim heading into Week 12

Can you really dispute it?