Pregame Primer: Kirk Cousins steps in as starter as Redskins host Dolphins

LANDOVER — Finally, regular season football.

After closing the preseason with a 17-16 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Washington Redskins kick off the season on Sunday against the Miami Dolphins at FedEx Field.

The Redskins have lost their last two season openers and are 41-39-4 all-time to start the year.

Of course, all eyes will be on quarterback Kirk Cousins, and how he manages the Redskins’ offense. The Dolphins’ defense is tough, and the Redskins’ offensive line will be tested early by Ndamukong Suh and Cameron Wake.

It’s a beautiful day for football. Sunny and 65 degrees should make for a nice day.

With that, here’s a look at what to expect today.

Logistics

Kickoff: 1 p.m.

Records: Redskins 0-0, Dolphins 0-0

Television: WUSA Ch. 9 (Ian Eagle, play-by-play; Dan Fouts, color; Evan Washburn, sidelines)

Radio: ESPN 980 (Larry Michael, Sonny Jurgensen, Chris Cooley, Doc Walker)

Weather: 65, sunny

Lines: Miami -4, over/under 43.5 per Bovada

Projected Starters:

Redskins offense: QB Kirk Cousins, RB Alfred Morris, FB Darrel Young, WR Pierre Garcon, WR DeSean Jackson, TE Jordan Reed, LT Trent Williams, LG Shawn Lauvao, C Kory Lichtensteiger, RG Brandon Scherff, RT Morgan Moses

Redskins defense: DE Stephen Paea, NT Terrance Knighton, DE Jason Hatcher, OLB Trent Murphy, MLB Keenan Robinson, ILB Perry Riley Jr., OLB Ryan Kerrigan, CB DeAngelo Hall, CB Chris Culliver, SS Duke Ihenacho, FS Dashon Goldson

Dolphins offense: QB Ryan Tannehill, RB Lamar Miller, WR Greg Jennings, WR Jarvis Landry, WR Kenny Stills, TE Jordan Cameron, LT Branden Albert, LG Dallas Thomas, C Mike Pouncey, RG Jamil Douglas,RT Ja’Wuan James

Dolphins defense: LE Cameron Wake, DT Ndamukong Suh, DT Earl Mitchell, RE Olivier Vernon, LB Koa Misi, LB Kelvin Sheppard, LB Jelani Jenkins, CB Brent Grimes, CB Brice McCain, S Walt Aikens, S Reshad Jones

Injury report: Questionable — T/G Tom Compton (calf), LB Jackson Jeffcoat (thigh); Probable — QB Robert Griffin III (concussion), C Kory Lichtensteiger (finger)

Three things to watch:

* Kirk Cousins: Cousins will make his first start since he was pulled at halftime in Week 7 against the Titans last season. How Cousins responds today as the Redskins’ newly anointed starter will set the tone for the season. As Zac Boyer wrote this week, Cousins’ tension has eased in the pocket and limiting turnovers will be critical.

* Brandon Scherff vs. Ndamukong Suh: Brandon Scherff, welcome to the NFL. The Redskins’ rookie guard will have a tough matchup against Suh in his first career regular-season start. It doesn’t get any easier for tackle Morgan Moses, who’ll have Cameron Wake rushing against him. It helps to minimize the number of one-on-one matchups Scherff will have against Suh, but that gets complicated with Wake right next to him. “That is probably why I haven’t slept a lot this week,” McVay said Friday.

* Jordan Reed: With injuries to Niles Paul and Logan Paulsen, Reed is the lone tight end from last season and he will be counted on heavily this season. The depth at that position will be tested today, with late additions in Derek Carrier and Anthony McCoy. Carrier arrived Aug. 21 and McCoy was signed on Monday. How well they’ve caught up with the Redskins’ offense will dictate their playing time against Miami. If Compton is inactive, that will hurt. The offensive lineman can play tight end in run-blocking schemes.

Stats:

All-time record: The Redskins are 4-7 against the Dolphins

Last regular-season meeting: Nov. 13, 2011: 20-9 loss at Miami