Raiders vs Dolphins final score, immediate reactions in Week 11

The Miami Dolphins welcomed the Las Vegas Raiders to Hard Rock Stadium. The Dolphins won to improve to 4-6 on the season. The Raiders fell to 2-8 with the loss.

This game was a strange one for Dolphins fans. Miami did not flash the explosive, high-scoring offense they usually have, but instead the team went with a more deliberate, ball-control style. They chewed up game clock and continued to move the ball with the running game and the short passing game – yet still scored a season-high in points.

Can Miami make a run toward the AFC playoffs? A second-straight win keeps the possibility alive. Here is the final score and our in-game reactions from throughout the Dolphins’ Week 11 win.

Final Score

Raiders 19 – 34 Dolphins

Reactions

First Quarter

Dolphins first possession

The Raiders won the coin toss and deferred, giving the Dolphins the ball first. Miami started with the ball at their 30-yard line, but quickly moved forward when, on 3rd-and-7, they completed a 17-yard pass from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to running back De’Von Achane with an additional 15 yards added on for an unnecessary roughness penalty on defensive end Maxx Crosby. Miami got lucky four plays later when Tagovailoa was stripped as he tried to avoid the pass rush, but tackle Kendall Lamm fell on the loose ball.

On 3rd-and-20, Miami completed a 12-yard pass to running back Raheem Mostert, but a holding penalty on the Raiders superseded the play and gave Miami a free first down. Two Achane runs led to a 3rd-and-3, with Tagovailoa finding wide receiver Tyreek Hill for six yards and a first down, thanks to a perfectly executed rub route from wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, who ran an arrow route and just stood in the way of the defender on Hill. On 4th-and-Goal, Miami ran a great looking play to get tight end Jonnu Smith open in the endzone for the score.

The Dolphins held the ball for 8:13 on the drive, running a deliberate script of plays and benefitting from bad penalties by the Raiders. Dolphins 7-0.

Raiders first possession

Everything seemed to be set up for a quick three-and-out from the Raiders, kicking the ball after just 43 seconds, but defensive lineman Calais Campbell just missed the block on the kick and when the punter’s foot hit Campbell’s helmet, the lineman was penalized for running into the kicker, giving the Raiders a first down.

Three run plays moved the ball 29 yards, setting the Raiders up at the Miami 30-yard line. Miami cornerback Jalen Ramsey was called for a holding penalty on the next play on a snap when it appeared the referees threw a flag for, then ignored, an ineligible player downfield penalty but called Ramsey for a hold that was not there.

The Raiders continued to put pressure on Miami with a 14-yard pass from quarterback Gardner Mishew on second down, but a sack two plays later by defensive lineman Zach Sieler – with defensive lineman Benito Jones forcing the quarterback into Sieler – effectively ended the drive and Las Vegas settled for a field goal.

The penalties hurt the Dolphins, but the defense showed it is ready to go on the attack, getting after Mishew. Tight end Brock Bowers, who caught one pass for 14 yards on the drive, has to be the focal point for the defense. Dolphins 7-3.

The kickoff killed the first-quarter clock.

Second Quarter

Dolphins second possession

Miami again looked to a deliberate, time-consuming drive to open the second quarter. Achane carried the ball on the first three players, gaining 12 yards. After a pass from Tagovailoa to wide receiver Odell Beckham, Jr., for eight yards, two incomplete passes brought up a 4th-and-2 from the Las Vegas 45-yard line. The Raiders used the first timeout before Miami could run their play, but Tagovailoa connected with Hill on a slant for five yards and a first down after the break.

Two plays later, the pressure got into Tagovailoa’s face, but the quarterback rolled to his left and found Waddle for 24 yards. Rookie running back Jaylen Wright picked up five yards as he replaced Raheem Mostert in the lineup as the veteran runner left the game with a hip injury. Mostert returned a few plays later on a one-yard run as Miami reached the Raiders’ six-yard line, but an incomplete pass and a sack led to a field goal.

Miami controlled the ball for 8:22 on the possession, again eating clock for an offense known to be a high-octane, explosive unit. Dolphins 10-3.

Raiders second possession

The Raiders opened with the ball at their own 30-yard line and 6:46 remaining on the clock. After Minshew was force d to scramble for a one-yard gain, he threw to Bowers for 12 yards, 14 yards, and a three-yard loss on the next three plays. A pass for wide receiver Jakobi Meyers for 11 yards gave the Raiders a first down at the Dolphins’ 29-yard line.

Facing a 3rd-and-10 two plays later, Mishew returned to Bowers, who caught the pass for an 11-yard gain and a first down as the clock reached the two-minute warning. After the break, a four-yard run from running back Alexander Mattison moved the ball to the Miami 14-yard line. The Dolphins used their first timeout after the run. An incomplete pass brought up a 3rd-and-6, with Minshew flushed out of the pocket and able to scramble for just enough for the first down.

A run for no gain, a sack by Dolphins linebacker Emmanuel Ogbah, and pressure forcing a short throw for five yards led to a Raiders field goal. Dolphins 10-6.

Dolphins third possession

Miami got the ball back with 39 seconds remaining, but holding no timeouts after using them on defense. The first play was a short pass to Hill, who looked to get to the sideline but could not get out of bounds. Tagovailoa then threw underneath to Smith for an eight-yard gain. After spiking the ball to stop the clock, the Dolphins had two seconds remaining, throwing a pass to Smith for 15 yards over the middle and ending the half.

Halftime Reactions

Score:

Raiders 6 – 10 Dolphins

Thoughts

This was a strange half for Dolphins fans. The team was not looking to be explosive, using the speed of Hill and Waddle to try to take the top off the defense. Instead, they were a deliberate, ball-control type of offense. It has been working, with the team scoring a touchdown and a field goal on their two full possessions. Will they bring back some of the deeper passing attempts in the second half?

The defense has had some strong moments, and they are bending but not breaking, forcing to field goals, but they have to do something to tighten up a little more. Bowers is the Raiders’ offense, and the Dolphins need to take him away. Minshew’s rushing ability is a concern that the team needs to figure out; they are getting pressure but he is able to sidestep and turn a near-sack into a gain.

Tagovailoa is 14-for-19 for 114 yards with a touchdown in the first half. He is playing well with a 106.0 passer rating. The Dolphins have set the tone in the first half of a running team – now it is time to let Tagovailoa, Hill, Waddle, and Smith turn this into a track meet.

Keeping the pressure on the Raiders on offense will allow Miami’s defense to crank up the pressure themselves. Campbell, Sieler, Ogbah, and rookie linebacker Chop Robinson should have a field day in the second half if the offense can put up an early touchdown.

The Raiders get the ball first, however, so the defense needs to make a quick stop.

Third Quarter

Raiders third possession

A run for three yards and a pass for eight gave the Raiders a first down at their own 41-yard line, but the Dolphins defense ended the drive after that. A five-yard pass to Bowers was followed by a Calais Cambell sack and an incomplete pass, leading to a Raiders punt.

The Dolphins were called for a hold during the return, setting them back to their own five-yard line on their possession.

Dolphins fourth possession

Miami again returned to their ball-control offensive style from the first half, and again found success. The drive started with an eight-yard run from Achane, then, after a two-yard loss on another run from Achane, the Dolphins converted a first down on a six-yard pass to Hill. A short pass into the flat to Achane picked up six yards, with a seven-yard Achane run following.

Wide receiver Malik Washington picked up seven yards on an endaround before Tagovailoa threw two short passes that turned into a seven-yard gain for Smith and a 13-yard gain for Waddle. After Tagovailoa scrambled away from pressure but could not complete a pass deep down the sideline to tight end Julian Hill, the quarterback and tight end connected for an 11-yard gain. Miami’s biggest play of the game, a 30-yard run from Achane, came on what looked like a power rush up the middle, with the running back just skipping out of tackle attempts.

Three plays later, Tagovailoa was flushed from the pocket and was nearly out of time when Hill worked his way back across the field and flashed in front of the quarterback. Tagovailoa hit him for the eight-yard touchdown. Dolphins 17-6.

Raiders fourth possession

A false start opened the Raiders’ possession, moving them to a 1st-and-15. Three passes picked up 14 of the needed yardage, leaving Las Vegas with a 4th-and-1 conversion attempt. Mattison gained six yards on a run up the middle to give the Raiders a first down.

The next play saw Mattison turn a short pass into a 31-yard gain, then two plays later Minshew thew to Bowers, who broke a tackle and moved up the sideline for a 23-yard touchdown.

Sieler blew up the middle of the line to stuff Mattison on the two-point conversion attempt. Dolphins 17-12.

Dolphins fifth possession

Miami started with the ball with 1:21 remaining in the third quarter. A two-yard run from Wright followed an incomplete pass as the drive started. On 3rd-and-8, Tagovailoa threw to Hill over the middle for an 18-yard gain and a first down. As time ran out on the quarter, Miami was able to draw Crosby offsides on a hard count, giving them a free five yards.

Fourth Quarter

Dolphins fifth possession (continued)

After a holding penalty negated a 10-yard screen pass to Achane, Tagovailoa threw to Wright for tard yards, Washington for nine yards, and Smith for 13 yards to convert a first down and move the ball down to the Las Vegas 21-yard line.

After a Wright run was stuffed for a two-yard loss, Tagovailoa threw to tight end Julian Hill on the right sideline, who turned the short pass into a 17-yard gain. Miami faced a 1st-and-Goal from the Raiders six-yard line following an injury timeout to Las Vegas cornerback Jack Jones.

Washington gained two yards on a bubble screen before Achane scored untouched on a two-yard run to extend Miami’s lead.

The Dolphins are showing a side of their offense we have not seen before, sticking to the run and the short passing game to control the clock and wear down the Raiders defense. It has been highly successful throughout the day and has them up 12 points with 10:37 remaining in the game. Dolphins 24-12.

Raiders fifth possession

The Las Vegas possession started at their own 30-yard line, but quickly dropped back to the 24-yard line after an offensive pass interference penalty on second down. A pass to Mattison and a pass to Bowers gained a combined 18 yards for push the ball out to the Raiders’ 42-yard line and give Las Vegas a first down. After incomplete passes bracketed a seven-yard pass to Bowers, the Raiders went for it on 4th-and-3, with Bowers catching a pass for seven yards.

After the conversion, Minshew completed a 22-yard pass to wide receiver Tre Tucker to move the ball to the Miami 21-yard line. After picking up another 11 yards on the next two plays, two incomplete passes set up a 3rd-and-Goal from the Dolphins’ 10-yard line. A pass into the flat looked like it would come up short, but cornerback Kader Kohou missed on the tackle and running back Ameer Abdullah found the endzone for the score.

Kohou has to make that tackle. The Dolphins could have done more earlier in the drive – especially on the 4th down play where everyone knew it was going to Bowers – but Kohou tried to take out the legs of Abdullah rather than trying to wrap him up. If he had at least slowed the running back, the rest of the defense could have responded and made the stop. Dolphins 24-19.

Dolphins sixth possession

Miami started at their own 30-yard line, needing to sustain a drive and kill the clock. On first down, Achane picked up seven yards, but then lost two yards on the next play. Facing a 3rd-and-5, Tagovailoa was forced to throw the ball early as pressure reached him, with the ball falling incomplete as he targeted Waddle; a pass interference penalty gave the Dolphins a first down, however.

Achane was stuffed for a one-yard loss on the first down run, with the Raiders calling a timeout after the play. After the break, the Raiders failed to cover Smith, who was left all alone deep down the middle, turning the pass from Tagovailoa into a 57-yard touchdown.

The touchdown pushed the Dolphins past the 27 points they scored in both Weeks 8 and 9, making this the highest scoring game Miami has had this season. Dolphins 31-19.

Raiders sixth possession

The Raiders started the drive at their own 30-yard line, with Minshew throwing a pass straight to Ramsey for the interception.

Dolphins seventh possession

Wright was stuffed for a one-yard loss on first down, then Achane moved it back to the original line of scrimmage on second down. After both plays, the Raiders called time out, leading to a 3rd-and-10 play with 2:23 remaining in the game. Tagovailoa threw a three-yard pass to tight end Durham Smythe, running the clock to the two-minute warning before the team added a field goal and extended the lead. Dolphins 34-19.

Raiders seventh possession

The Raiders got the ball back with 1:55 remaining and no timeouts. The Dolphins defense played soft, allowing Las Vegas to gain yardage but keep the clock running. Gains of 12 yards, two yards, 12 yards, nine yards, and one yard ran the clock to 15 seconds remaining in the game. After a review of whether the Raiders picked up a first down, Mishew threw to Bowers for six yards, but the clock was down to nine seconds. Another pass to the sideline, with Ramsey making a hit to keep the clock from stopping ran out the time and gave Miami the victory.