Dolphins-Raiders live blog: Dolphins score three TDs in second half to beat Raiders 34-19
It wasn’t necessarily pretty.
The defense let Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers catch 13 balls for more than 120 yards. The secondary only snagged one interception from the turnover prone Gardner Minshew. And the Miami Dolphins’ vaunted rushing attack only mustered 82 yards on the day.
Still, the Miami Dolphins managed to pull out a 34-19 victory over the Raiders.
The good news: Jonnu Smith had a monster game, finishing with six balls for 101 yards and two touchdowns. Tua Tagovailoa also completed 78% of his passes for 288 yards and three touchdowns.
The bad news: the middling Raiders offense put up 19 points.
Miami has a lot to improve on if they want to make the playoffs. Luckily, they got a win today and that’s all that matters.
Jalen Ramsey seals game with an interception:
Ladies and gentlemen, this game is OVER.
On the Raiders’ first offensive play, Gardner Minshew fired a pass that was behind an unsuspecting Jakobi Meyers.
Ramsey dropped to the ground and the ball slide right into his bread basket for the 24th interception of his career.
Jonnu Smith scores game-deciding touchdown:
Talk about a big play!
With the pressure in his face, Tua Tagovailoa found a wide open Jonnu Smith for a 57-yard touchdown catch-and-run. This was Smith’s second touchdown of the day.
Raiders coach Antonio Pierce will have a lot to say about that come Monday because that certainly was a busted play. There was nobody within 15-20 yards of Smith when he caught the ball.
Dolphins are now up 31-19.
Raiders trying to make it interesting:
This fourth quarter is starting to get a bit interesting.
Raiders quarterback targeted Brock Bowers heavy en route to finding Ameer Abdullah on a swing route that the veteran running back took 10 yards to the end zone.
Dolphins are still up 24-19.
Dolphins strike again:
About time De’Von Achane get in the end zone.
The Dolphins running back scampered in for the two-yard score early in the fourth quarter.
Achane’s touchdown came on the tail end of a 10 play, 60 yard drive.
The Fins remain up 24-12.
Raiders not going away yet:
Down two score, the Raiders put together a quick eight play, 70-yard drive that ended with touchdown courtesy of a 23-yard catch-and-run from Brock Bowers.
The Raiders then tried to go for two. Luckily, a collection of Dolphins defenders stuffed Raiders running back Alexander Mattison before he could even get out of the backfield.
Dolphins still lead 17-12.
Tyreek Hill touchdown:
The Tua-Tyreek connection is alive and well.
Tua Tagovailoa found Hill for an 8-yard score for the quarterback’s second touchdown pass of the day.
With no one initially open, Tagovailoa scrambled to his right and just before being tackle, he rifled a ball to Hill who was streaking across the endzone.
Dolphins are now up 17-6.
Halftime Show:
As part of the NFL’s Salute to Service initiative, the Dolphins welcomed the United States Air Force Ceremonial Band to perform at halftime.
Each of the six military branches — Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy and Space Force — unfurled their flags across the field during the performance.
HALFTIME NOTES:
▪ The Dolphins are up 10-6.
▪ If you like offensive games, this probably isn’t for you. There’s only been five combined possessions (Dolphins have three, Raiders have two). Both teams have combined for under 250 yards. And the game’s only touchdown came on the first drive.
▪ Brock Bowers (four catches, 50 yards) and Tyreek Hill (four catches, 29 yards) are each team’s leading receiver.
▪ Both teams have somewhat struggled rushing the ball. The Dolphins have ran the ball 12 times for 30 yards while the Raiders have 12 rushes for 49 yards.
▪ Tua Tagovailoa is once again as efficient as ever, completing roughly 74% of his passes for 114 yards and a touchdown.
Raheem Mostert back in:
The veteran running back suffered a hip injury in the first quarter.
After initially being listed as questionable, the running back returned in the second quarter.
Dolphins strike first with Jonnu touchdown:
Who said tight ends can’t be effective in this offense?
Jonnu Smith caught a one-yard touchdown score to put the Fins on the board first. A Jason Sanders kick later and the Dolphins lead the 7-0.
Two Raiders penalties — a defensive holding and unnecessary roughness — aided the Dolphins 14 play, 70 yard drive.
Pro Bowl left tackle Terron Armstead (knee) and left guard Robert Jones (knee) will play today. The Miami Dolphins, however, will be without starting fullback Alec Ingold and returner Dee Eskridge.
Other inactives include running back Jeff Wilson Jr., linebacker Mohamed Kamara, offensive lineman Andrew Meyer as well as cornerbacks Kendall Fuller and Ethan Bonner.
Brother on brother action:
Dolphins guard Liam Eichenberg will face his younger brother, Tommy, who plays linebacker.
This will be the first matchup between the brothers.
The Raiders selected Tommy in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Pregame Dolphins reading:
Check out these stories prior to kickoff.
▪ Here’s everything you need to know about Sunday’s Dolphins-Raiders game
▪ Kelly: Dolphins need more from Chris Grier’s draft classes | Opinion
▪ The Tyreek Hill-Jaylen Waddle duo must be better for the Dolphins to succeed
▪ Dolphins elevate two players for Sunday’s game. And Cracraft on the road back
This story was originally published November 17, 2024 at 12:08 PM.
