Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images QB questions and early extensions highlight tough decisions ahead for LA in the offseason The Los Angeles Rams’ 2024 campaign has been nothing short of frustrating, and things might get even trickier this offseason with several important decisions looming. One of LA’s biggest question marks is whether Matthew Stafford will remain the starter in Hollywood next season. The Athletic listed the Rams as one of 12 teams that could have a new starting quarterback in 2025. Team insider and reporter Jourdan Rodrigue floated a possibility that LA could “operate year-to-year with Stafford understanding the potential of a healthy roster with him.” “When [Matthew Stafford’s] on, he’s on — it bears reminding that he will be 37 in February and essentially restructured his contract this summer to reflect a one-year deal with the opportunity to renegotiate after this season. The big question is, will either he or the Rams want to do that? Stafford seems to be aging in reverse, so it’s fair to think he’d still want to play football,” Rodrigue wrote on Nov. 15. Stafford has been highly underwhelming through nine games and is currently on a six-game interception streak dating back to Week 4 against the Bears. While the likelihood of the Rams parting with the veteran QB this offseason is low, the front office retaining him on a year-to-year contract with a likely successor in waiting is the smartest option, assuming the team goes that route. Then, the Rams must make some (easy) decisions on re-signing homegrown talent. Rodrigue also said that Puka Nacua, Steve Avila, Kobie Turner and Byron Young are all potential candidates for early extensions following the 2025 season. Again, those are the easiest and most crucial decisions the franchise must make to remain competitive in the NFC. It’ll undoubtedly be quite an interesting and eventual offseason for the Rams. Truthfully, not much work should be done to help the roster return to contention as it did in the second half of last year. Perhaps if this season continues to be a letdown, it’ll be the kick in the pants the organization needs to return as players in the NFC playoff picture.
Rams could be in for an ‘interesting spring’ regardless of how 2024 ends
Ravens safety doesn’t travel with team, ruled out for game vs. Steelers in Week 11
Ravens safety doesn’t travel with team, ruled out for game vs. Steelers in Week 11 glenn erby The Ravens will face the Steelers in Week 11, and backup safety Eddie Jackson (non-injury-related) will not travel to Pittsburgh with the team and has been ruled out for tomorrow’s game. The Ravens’ 32nd-ranked secondary will have Kyle Hamilton in the lineup but no Arthur Maulet against a Pittsburgh offense that has averaged more than 30 points per game over the past three weeks since Russell Wilson took over as the starter. After starting in Cleveland in Week 8, Jackson was a healthy scratch in Week 9 and played a season-low 16 snaps in Week 10. Beau Brade could replace him in the lineup. Marcus Williams, Hamilton, and Ar’Darius Washington will be the three starting safeties.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25736838/2178062455.jpg?w=1200&resize=1200,0&ssl=1 "Vikings Links: This Season Has Been Great So Far")
Vikings Links: This Season Has Been Great So Far
The journey this season has been exceptional. Most felt it was going to be a down year. The team felt otherwise and proved to all the non believers that there were, in fact, much better than what others thought. After this week against the Titans, the Vikings face the reeling Bears, “resurgent” Cardinals, pretty good Falcons, Bears again, and the Seahawks. A lot can happen in the next 6 weeks but if they go 4-2 they would be 11-4. That would be awesome! I do not want to predict the next siz weeks though. Just this week. I feel the team really needs to put together a good performance offensively and doing it against a tough Titans team would be great. The Titans will be without L’Jarius Sneed so maybe that means the receivers will be open. Their defensive line will present a tough test for the Vikings interior offensive line though. I still like the Vikings to win. Minnesota Vikings News and Links Vikings-Titans Week 11 score predictions from the Vikings On SI staff Will Ragatz: Vikings 20, Titans 13 Part of me feels like the Vikings are due to put together their first dominant four-quarter performance since Week 3 against the Texans. But while a blowout is certainly possible, the Titans’ stout defensive line and Sam Darnold’s recent turnover woes give me pause. I do think Brian Flores’ defense will have another big day with numerous sacks and turnovers against Will Levis and a poor Tennessee offense. On the other side of the ball, though, I’m not sure it’ll be as easy for Minnesota to move the ball up and down the field as it was last week. I’ll take the Vikings to win in somewhat ugly fashion again. Joe Nelson: Vikings 34, Titans 13 The Titans are one of the worst teams in football in almost every key metric from Pro Football Focus. When they play good teams, they get destroyed. Just ask the Packers, Lions and Bills, who beat the Titans by a combined score of 116-34. The Vikings are in that upper echelon when Sam Darnold isn’t turning the ball over in the red zone. We should expected a more poised Darnold on Sunday, and therefore a Vikings blowout. Nolan O’Hara: Vikings 24, Titans 14 Jonathan Harrison: Vikings 30, Titans 3 Tony Liebert: Vikings 31, Titans 13 Here are last week’s predictions. Season records for our pickers: Will: 7-2 Joe: 7-2 Nolan: 5-4 Jonathan: 5-4 Tony: 3-6 Vikings aren’t afraid of two-high shells designed to limit Justin Jefferson Coming into last weekend’s game against the Vikings, the Jacksonville Jaguars had primarily been a man coverage, single-high safety defense this season. But when Justin Jefferson and the Minnesota offense stepped onto the field, that changed. The Jaguars mixed up their defense completely, playing with two high safeties on 93 percent of their snaps in an effort to prevent Jefferson from beating them with explosive plays. It worked in the sense that Jefferson was held to a season-low 48 receiving yards on five catches, snapping a seven-game streak with at least 80 yards. He had a long gain of just 15 and Sam Darnold threw three interceptions when targeting his No. 1 receiver. In other ways, it didn’t exactly work; the Vikings racked up 402 total yards and 28 first downs on 82 offensive plays, posting the highest single-game time of possession (42:19) in the NFL this season. Despite Darnold’s turnovers, Minnesota escaped with a 12-7 victory. “They pretty much played a one-high (defense) majority of the season,” Jefferson said. “And once we came in, now they switch up their whole entire defense. And that’s kind of what I’ve been saying this whole entire season, that it doesn’t really matter how defenses play other teams. When we step foot on that field, the whole defense changes, it’s a lot more shell coverage, it’s a lot more two-high. And that’s something that we have to deal with.” “If teams want to just cover us deep and allow us to take everything short and allow the run game to explode, then that’s what we have to do, that’s what we have to take,” Jefferson said. “We can’t get greedy and try to force passes into those shell coverages and two-high (looks).” “For me personally, it’s about taking what the defense gives me,” Darnold said. “Obviously, it’s a cliche, but for a reason. If they want to play it deep to short on first and second down, having that mindset of just finding completions. But at the same time, if we have something on to be able to beat that coverage, let it rip and have all the confidence in the world doing it.” The numbers bear out the idea that two-high shells are the way to slow down Jefferson. He’s been significantly more effective this season against single-high looks, according to Next Gen Stats. On Darnold’s first interception, for example, Jaguars cornerback Tyson Campbell was able to be very physical with Jefferson off the line of scrimmage because he knew he had safety help behind him. When Darnold still attempted to hit Jefferson on a slant, Campbell was able to deflect the ball into the air for a pick. The third interception came on a corner route that was left too far inside and undercut by split-safety Darnell Savage. Jefferson obviously wants to continue putting up big numbers, but he’s also content to be the center of attention for defenses if it means his teammates are having success and the Vikings are moving the ball. “It happens sometimes,” said Jefferson, who is second in the league this year with 831 receiving yards through nine games. “Teams try to take away the main weapons on the offense. And I just can’t get frustrated in those type of situations. We all eat and we all perform as one team. So as long as we’re moving that ball and we’re scoring and putting points on the board, it doesn’t matter about
Las Vegas Raiders @ Miami Dolphins Predictions and Players You Would Steal
Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images With our Miami Dolphins hosting the Las Vegas Raiders tomorrow afternoon, I asked the three customary questions this past week. Below are the questions, with some of your answers to each. If you could steal any player from the Las Vegas Raiders roster to place on the Miami Dolphins roster, which player would it be and why? USMCFinzFreak would like to see the beast of a defensive end in a Phins uni! I met Maxx while standing in line at a Vegas Navy Federal Credit Union ATM. Nice guy off the field but nasty on. Would love to see him in a Fins uniform. He did not want to be drafted by the Dolphins when Flores was the head coach. cyberflea agrees with USMCFinzFreak! Easy one….I have to agree with the majority so far…Maxx Crosby. One of the best DE’s in the league and would be a serious improvement to the Fins defense. phinette is also on board! Max Crosby of course. He is one of the best in the NFL. Spok507 is part of the trend! Easy. Crosby. We tried Wilkins and he shunned us. So I’d take Crosby. He seems fun. Do they have anyone else elite? finfanfromsiam is a follower! Maxx Crosby! A) What will be the final score in this week’s Miami Dolphins game against the Las Vegas Raiders? B) What other predictions do you have for the upcoming game against the Raiders? (stars of the game, etc.) Bill Moody has the defense going off sack-wise, J Smith having a solid day, and the Phins easily winning by 17. Dolphins 31 – Raiders 14. Dolphins Win Bold Prediction1: Miami D has 7 sacks. Bold Prediction2: Jonnu Smith has 2 TDs, because Raiders. Bold Prediction3: Brock Bowers has both TD for Las Vegas, because Dolphins. daytonadolfan has the Phins with a solid win and another big sack day for the D. 37-13 Dolphins!! Seiler and Campbell get 2 sacks apiece! 62Lou says we “should” win! The dolphins SHOULD WIN this game. We simply have MORE talent and we are at home. Miami 27-13. But this is a dangerous game BC everybody will pick the dolphins. coming off the Rams win – there is NO EXCUSE to lose this game at home… We shall see. No more boneheaded TUA TURDS please….and MMD – just stop all the predictable runs up the middle – and backward passes. finfanfromsiam is predicting the Phins by 8. I’m gonna say 24-16, the good guys. herbert pollack sees an easy win because Vegas sucks! 31-13, LV is really bad DolphinsKings1 has a solid day for Tua and the RBs and a big day for Waddle and the defense. Faiders 18 (6 FG’s) Dolphins 35 Tua shines with 4 passing TD’s 300+ yards RB’s combined for 168 yards 1 TD (Mostert) Waddle gets over 100+ TD Hill gets over 80+ TD Smith over 70+ TD OBJ over 50+ TD 9 Sacks (Sieler 2, Campbell 2, Robinson 2, Jones 1, Brooks 1, and Ramsey 1) 2 INTS (Holland and Poyer) NCSurferMike has as story about how the Phins win a narrow one. Final Score: Fins 36 – Raiders 35 Prediction: In an epic showdown that had fans biting their fingernails down to the knuckles, the mustache—throwing with the flair of a guy who just stepped out of an ‘80s action movie—racked up 5 touchdowns to plaster a jaw-dropping 35 on our beloved Fins. Fins fans watched with a mixture of terror and awe as “Mustache Magic” unfolded like a bad dream in HD. But just when things looked bleak, Tua, who’d been quietly biding his time like a lion eyeing an injured gazelle, roared to life in the fourth quarter. He rattled off three touchdowns faster than you could say, “Is this really happening?” Finally, with mere seconds on the clock and overtime looming, M-squared decided, “Forget OT—we’re either winning or going home right now.” Cue the two-point attempt. With the game hanging on his every move, Tua received a snap so hot it probably had its own scorch marks. It slipped through his fingers like a greased pig at the county fair, and the entire stadium let out a collective “Noooo!” as it dribbled back to the 15-yard line. What followed can only be described as gridiron ballet. Tua pounced on the ball, and as a Raiders defender flew in for the hit, Tua hit him with a little “look this way, go that way” magic, spinning out of danger like a QB on a mission from the football gods. The crowd held its breath as he launched the ball toward Achane, who, with the grace of a sparrowhawk-tua spotting prey, was right where he needed to be. Achane glided into the end zone untouched, and the stadium exploded. Yarganaught has the defensive line leading the way to a solid Miami win. A) What will be the final score? Miami wins: 35-10 B) What other predictions (stars of the game, etc.)? I think the D-line is healthy and motivated, and we will see 3 sacks on mustache man. Chop, Seiler, and Campbell will have a good game. Tua2HillWaddle has a blowout behind big days from Ramsey, Tua and Hill. Fins 38-13. Tua throws for nearly 400 yards and 3 td’s. Ramsey a pic 6. Hill over 150 yards and 2 td’s. phinette has Miami winning if we can control Crosby. Dolphins 27-21. If we don’t figure out a way to block the Maxxinator, Tua will be running for his life. There were a lot of solid predictions this week, with everyone having the Dolphins with the win. Everyone would steal Max Crosby if they could, and I’m with you! Thank you to each of you who took the time to answer out questions of the day. Please join us tomorrow for our live thread to follow the Miami Dolphins live.
Tyreek Hill plans to play through wrist injury, will wait to have surgery until after 2024 season
Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images Save us, Tyrek Hill! You’re our only hope! One of the biggest surprises heading into Monday Night’s primetime matchup vs. the Los Angeles Rams was Tyreek Hill’s unexpected wrist injury that nearly forced him to miss Miami’s Week 10 contest. Hill would eventually play on Monday Night, catching 3 of 4 targets for 16 yards and a touchdown — his third touchdown of the season. But the injury, which Hill said he aggravated before Miami’s week one matchup vs. the Jacksonville Jaguars, is not improving. “It was just a small, little wrist injury. Nothing too crazy.” Hill said. He was then asked whether he suffered the injury after being detained by police before Miami’s week one matchup. “No, I wouldn’t say – I’d say Commanders week, when we had that joint practice; red zone play.” And yet, with Miami’s season hanging on by a thread, Hill has decided against season-ending injury. Despite what others may have said, he’s decided to push through and play through the injury. “I’ve been talking to a lot of people about this particular injury. At the end of the day, I just got to suck it up and just deal with the pain. It’s going to get worse the more I play, but I got get it out for my team. I’m here, I’m locked in no matter what, no matter how I feel. So even if I’ve got to cut my wrist off, I’m still out there because I love the game of football. Surgery was brought up and it was talked about whenever I talked to a few of the doctors, but it’s my call at the end of the day and my call is to stay out on the field.” For now, Tyreek Hill will continue to play and do everything he can to help the Dolphins dig themselves out of the hole they have found themselves in. But for how long depends on what the Dolphins, who sit at 3-6 and in second place in the AFC East, can do in the coming weeks. What are your thoughts on Tyreek Hill’s injury? How do you feel that he’s chosen to continue to fight through the pain until Miami’s season is on life support? Do you think tomorrow is a statement game for the Dolphins? Let us know in the comments section below!
Ramalytics: Don’t overrate Patriots defense
Photo by Matthew J. Lee/The Boston Globe via Getty Images Why a strong game by Patriots against Bears could be an outlier The New England Patriots defense dominated Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears in a 19-3 victory last week. Williams was overwhelmed by the Patriots pass rush, and the outing suggests that Jerod Mayo’s unit is turning a corner after a slow start to the year. However, we often jump to conclusions far too quickly in the NFL. After diving into the advanced metrics surrounding the New England defense, there’s plenty of reason to conclude that this was more of a one-off than a sign of long-term improvement for the Patriots. After moving on from Bill Belichick, the Patriots still lack talent overall on their roster and have plenty of work to do this coming offseason and beyond. I wouldn’t overrate New England’s defense ahead of this weekend’s matchup with the Los Angeles Rams. Here’s why: Why Patriots’ domination of Bears was an outlier New England recorded 23 total pressures on Williams in Week 10. Seven came from OLB Anfernee Jennings with another five from second-year standout Keion White. These are the Patriots pressure totals from all other games this season: Week 1 vs Bengals: 11 Week 2 vs Seahawks: 21 Week 3 vs Jets: 18 Week 4 vs 49ers: 12 Week 5 vs Dolphins: 11 Week 6 vs Texans: 14 Week 7 vs Jaguars: 4 Week 8 vs Jets: 13 Week 9 vs Titans: 14 Week 10 vs Bears: 23 Of the Patriots’ 141 pressures this season, White and Jennings account for 35 and 20, respectively. Those individuals comprise nearly 40% of the team’s total pressures. It will be key for the Rams to identify and have a plan for White and Jennings, because if you slow them down the Patriots have few other options that are capable of making you pay. It’s also clear after reviewing the production over the first 10 games that the defensive outing against the Bears is not indicative of the Patriots’ recent performance. In the six games prior to Week 10, New England was averaging just 11 pressures per game before spiking all the way up to 23. Rams fans know best that Geno Smith’s play style with the Seahawks invites pressure, as he seems to prefer pushing the ball down the field rather than routinely making the underneath throw. Seattle has also had its fair share of offensive line struggles this season, including the abrupt midseason retirement of starting center Connor Williams. Rams play their best brand of football when Stafford is kept clean Monday night’s loss against the Miami Dolphins was disappointing in nearly every aspect on the offensive side of the ball—and the offensive ineptitude wasted an impressive performance by Chris Shula’s young defense. But leading up to the Week 10 set back, the Rams didn’t allow a single sack on Stafford in the previous two games against the Minnesota Vikings and Seahawks. Coincidence or not, those both turned into wins for Los Angeles. Matthew Stafford’s pass is intercepted by Anthony Walker Jr. on third down. According to ESPN Research, he has thrown an interception in six straight games, tying his longest streak in his career. — Sarah Barshop (@sarahbarshop) November 12, 2024 Stafford played his best game of the season against Minnesota on Thursday Night Football, though he easily could have left Seattle with four interceptions on the box score. If the Rams can hold up in pass protection, there is still hope for New England that they can catch Stafford on a downswing of his recently inconsistent play. Overall LA is the more talented team at this stage of its roster build. Stafford in Week 8 and Week 9 without being sacked: Vikings: 25 of 34 for 279 yards, 4 TD’s, 1 INT, 2 BTT’s, 1 TWP, 81.8% ADJ comp Seahawks: 25 of 44 for 298 yards, 2 TD’s, 1 INT, 3 BTT’s, 4 TWP’s, 63.4% ADJ comp After the loss to the Dolphins, Stafford has now thrown an interception in six-straight games which ties the longest streak in his 16-year career. Another interception in New England would set a new watermark for him. It’s also worth mentioning that the Rams are leaving sunny Los Angeles to play in Boston where Sunday’s weather forecast shows potential 17 MPH winds with gusts up to 35 MPG and a feels like temperature in the low 50 degrees. We’ve seen the Rams in earlier seasons struggle to acclimate to colder climates. All-in-all, the Rams shouldn’t be scared of the Patriots defense despite them coming off a dominant outing against the Bears. If the offensive line can hold up in pass protection and Matthew Stafford keeps the ball out of harm’s way, the Rams should be able to leave Boston with a victory and earn their fourth win in five games.
Baltimore Ravens vs. Pittsburgh Steelers live stream, TV channel, start time, odds | Week 11 2024
Derrick Henry and the Baltimore Ravens play the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET at Acrisure Stadium. The Ravens rank 25th in scoring defense this year (25.3 points allowed per game), but they’ve been shining on the offensive side of the ball, ranking best in the NFL with 31.8 points per game. The Steelers rank 18th with 326.3 total yards per game on offense, and they rank eighth with 302.7 total yards given up per game on the defensive side of the ball. Watch Ravens vs. Steelers on Fubo! Ravens vs Steelers: live streaming info, TV channel & game time Game day: Sunday, November 17, 2024 Game time: 1 p.m. ET Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Stadium: Acrisure Stadium TV Channel: CBS Live stream: Watch Redzone & other NFL content all season long on Fubo Live stream: Watch on Paramount+! Ravens vs Steelers betting lines NFL odds courtesy of BetMGM. Odds updated Saturday at 3:31 p.m. ET. For a full list of sports betting odds, access USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub. Spread Favorite: Ravens (-3) Moneyline: Ravens (-177), Steelers (+148) Total: 48.5 points Watch Ravens vs. Steelers on Fubo! Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Must be 21 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside. We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. Ravens Wire operates independently, though, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.
Ravens players fined for multiple plays vs. Bengals, including the game-deciding play
Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images The Ravens are one of the most penalized teams in the league, but even so not enough penalties were called when they defeated the Bengals on Thursday Night Football The Cincinnati Bengals barely lost to the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday night when they failed to convert the two-point conversion, and now some question whether they shouldn’t have had a do-over. Two Ravens were fined for the Thursday game for three separate plays. Marlon Humphrey was fined on two occasions, one for a facemask on Andrei Iosivas and then another one on one of the latest hits on a QB ever seen that was somehow not called. He was fined 33,766 for these two instances. Boy I didn’t see that late hit from Marlon Humphrey that has Burrow in pain. Unreal that wasn’t called. video from @MarkVSlaughter pic.twitter.com/DpQ70c8IAM — Jake Liscow (@JakeLiscow) November 8, 2024 The other even more infuriating penalty was on the two-point conversion that ultimately lost the Bengals the game. During the play, pressure was very quick, and even on a quick replay it was clear that the Ravens had hold of multiple facemasks during the play. The Bengals were vindicated if they felt this way as well, as Travis Jones was fined $22,511 for a blow to the head/neck against Joe Burrow on the two-point conversion attempt. It may not have changed the game’s result, but it is frustrating to see the NFL admit there was a penalty after the Ravens got the win. 3 face mask penalties in one picture #bengals#refs#ravens pic.twitter.com/3JHubzOyMw — Jennifer Jones (@JenniJ014) November 10, 2024 Oh well. We’re on to Los Angeles.
What to expect out of the Colts and Anthony Richardson going forward
Grace Hollars-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images The second time around needs to be different. Second chances are abundant in the NFL. Players may struggle with the team that drafted them but find a resurgence with another. Quarterbacks such as Jared Goff, Sam Darnold, and Baker Mayfield are just a few names in that conversation. Yes, many players find second and even third or fourth chances as they drift from team to team, but second chances are the end of the line when operating within the same franchise. Anthony Richardson is already on his second chance with the Indianapolis Colts, and I can just about guarantee there won’t be a third. Richardson has struggled on the field to start his second year. While the on the field struggles have been evident, they aren’t being cited as the reason he wasted benched in favor of Joe Flacco. The bigger issues appear to be effort and maturity. Gathering the tidbits we have received from players and coaches, it appears Richardson needs to start understanding his role as a NFL starting quarterback and begin taking it more seriously. The “tap-out” in isolation wasn’t the issue; it was the breaking point. It was the moment in which the organization felt he wasn’t quite where he needed to be to lead this team. The most important aspect now is whether Richardson has learned his leason. I don’t expect him to come straight into the Jet’s game and be unstoppable. He still needs to log reps and experience. The hope now is that he is taking a better and more engaged approach to preparing for the games. The hope is he understands that nothing in this game is promised and raw ability alone isn’t enough. The hope is he becomes a student of the game and comprehends that everyone around him is relying on him. If Richardson pours himself into the game and used his time on the bench to self reflect, he will be that much better for it. We shouldn’t look for miracles on Sunday. Anthony Richardson isn’t going to be a totally different player. We need to look for progress over the next month. Let’s see if we can identify growth and maturity. Those are less tangible traits, but they should be identifiable in aspects of his game. If we see that through the rest of the year, all is not lost, and Richardson will have made the best of his second chance.
Raiders-Dolphins: A get-right game for Miami?
The Miami Dolphins ended three-game skid with an impressive win over the Los Angeles Rams on Monday night. | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images 5 questions with The Phinsider The Las Vegas Raiders head to the Miami Dolphins in Week 11 and we’ll get to see what the Silver & Black are all about after the bye week. To preview the matchup, Kevin Nogle from our friends at The Phinsider took the time to answer a few questions about the Dolphins for Raider Nation. Q: Miami has gone from the second-ranked scoring offense in 2023 to 30th in the league nine games into the 2024 campaign. What’s the biggest obstacle for the Dolphins to overcome to become the explosive offense they once were? I wish there was an easy answer to this one. Losing quarterback Tua Tagovailoa for four games was a huge blow to the offense, but the team is not putting up a ton of points with him back on the field either. Head coach Mike McDaniel seems to be pressing too hard at times, trying to prove that he is the offensive genius he has been dubbed and looking for the perfect play or the perfect evolution to his offense, rather than sticking to what works. Defenses are sticking to two-high looks and bracketing both Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, with a jam at the line of scrimmage to throw off the timing between the receivers and Tagovailoa, but if that is all it takes to change Miami from averaging nearly 30 points per game to barely two touchdowns per game, then the offensive scheme was a mirage. The Dolphins have run the ball more this season, which does take down some of the explosive offensive plays, with running backs Raheem Mostert or De’Von Achane getting the ball instead of simply looking for Hill and Waddle on 65-yard passes, but again, the deep pass should be there, especially if a defense is creeping up to stop the run, but we really are not seeing it. Hill has been dealing with a torn ligament in his wrist, which could be a part of why we are seeing him rotate off the field as much as we have been this year. Waddle has had a drops problem this season. Maybe there is something bothering him as well. Whatever has caused this downturn in Miami’s offense has to be answered if the team wants to have any chance at a surprise wild card run this year. Gregory Fisher-Imagn ImagesMiami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel seems to be pressing too hard at times trying to showcase the offensive genius moniker bestowed upon him. Q: How does Miami take advantage of Las Vegas struggling defense in Sunday’s matchup? If you have what should be an explosive offense but have yet to find their full groove for the season, they could use a game against a team that has struggled to limit teams from scoring. The Raiders, sitting at 30th in the league with an average of 27.9 points per game allowed, could be exactly what Miami needs to get themselves in rhythm. Of course, Raiders fans are probably looking at a game against a 3-6 team that has scored an average of just 16.3 points per game this year and see a team that could allow their defense to find its rhythm. I think you are likely to see a heavy dose of Achane during this game. He has 105 carries this year, the most for on the team and 42 receptions, the most on the team. He is quietly becoming a threat no matter where he is on the field, even if Miami’s offensive struggles through the first half of the season have not allowed fans from outside south Florida to recognize it. The Dolphins are going to line him up in the backfield and in any of the receiving positions, trying to create mismatches as the defense turns their attention to Hill and Waddle. I also think the Dolphins will show more of their fast motion, hurry-up style this week. They are back at home, in a 1 p.m. game, against a team that will be wearing black and had to make the cross-country road trip. It is supposed to be in the 80s for this game. Keep the offense running at a high speed and wear out the Raiders’ defense. Miami has not had a lot of homefield advantage opportunities this year, playing night or away games during the hot months. This could be an opportunity to use the South Florida heat to their advantage — even against a team coming out of the Nevada desert. Q: The Dolphins have the third-ranked third down defense in the league allowing just a 32% conversion rate (103 attempts, 33 conversions). What makes Miami’s defense so stout on that all-important down? Calais Campbell and Zach Sieler. I think their presence on the field just completely changes the Miami defense. When Sieler missed a couple of games due to a fracture to his orbital bone, the Dolphins defense was not the same. Now that he is back, the defense looks like what new defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver wants. Campbell and Sieler can stuff the middle of the line of scrimmage, clogging running holes in short-yardage situations, but they can also get after the quarterback in passing yardage — or free up players like Chop Robinson and Emmanuel Ogbah to create pressure. Robinson growing into a bigger role is also an important part of Miami’s defensive system, especially following the season-ending injury to Jaelan Phillips. Another big move for Miami was the benching (and eventual waiving) of linebacker David Long, Jr. Long was initially named a captain for the Dolphins and was the defensive signal caller, but he struggled with consistency throughout the first half of the season and Miami was forced to move to Anthony Walker, Jr., in the middle of the defense. But when it all comes down to it, the basic answer
