Smith’s 2 TDs help Dolphins top Raiders, win back-to-back games for first time this year
No victory has been easy this season for the Miami Dolphins.
But right now every one they can get is precious.
Miami was having a difficult time once again closing out a game Sunday against the spiraling Las Vegas Raiders.
But thanks largely to a career receiving game for tight end Jonnu Smith, Miami survived with a 34-19 victory over Las Vegas at Hard Rock Stadium.
Tua Tagovailoa’s heave deep over the middle to a wide open Smith, which he turned into a 57-yard touchdown with 3:19 remaining in the fourth quarter, broke the game open.
“The Red Sea parted,” Smith said. “It was a busted coverage. Tua and me connected and locked eyes,” Smith said.
Jalen Ramsey’s interception of Gardner Minshew on the first play of the Raiders’ ensuing drive put the game away and secured the Dolphins (4-6) another needed victory as they try to keep their playoff hopes alive through what would appear to be a more manageable portion of their schedule.
“I know the record right now doesn’t show it, but we know who we are and we know who we want to be,” Smith said after the game.
Miami won back-to-back games for the first time this season.
The Dolphins also surpassed 30 points for the first time this season.
But even the Raiders (2-8), who lost their sixth in a row, made both difficult to come by.
Miami led 24-12 in the fourth quarter, but yielded a 14-play, 70-yard touchdown drive capped by Minshew’s 10-yard touchdown pass to Ameer Abdullah with 4:23 left to cut Miami’s lead to 24-19 and keep things in suspense.
The Raiders appeared to be ready to force Miami to punt on its ensuing drive, but bailed out the Dolphins with a costly penalty as Darnay Holmes was called for pass interference on third and 5 from Miami’s 35 with 3:32 left.
Tagovailoa hit Smith for his long touchdown on the next play.
Smith finished with six catches for a career-high 101 yards and two touchdowns on eight targets.
“He’s making people pay for the over attention that Tyreek and Waddle get,” Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said. “He’s adding a real cool element to our offense. We’ve needed every yard he’s had for us this year.”
Another Raiders’ costly penalty on Miami’s opening drive led to Smith’s first touchdown.
Tagovailoa was strip-sacked by Tyree Wilson forcing third-and-20. But a defensive holding penalty on the next play gave Miami an automatic first down, and seven plays later, Miami was in the end zone.
It was the second week in a row the Dolphins scored a touchdown on their opening series.
Tagovailoa continued to be sharp in his fourth start since returning from a concussion. Tagovailoa completed 28 of 36 passes for 288 yards, three touchdown passes and no interceptions for a 127.8 passer rating.
Tagovailoa has put together a passer rating of 108 or better in each of those four games.
“Tua has taken a gigantic step in his game,” McDaniel said. “He has taken control of the emotional piece.”
In a game that featured multiple lengthy drives by both times, Tagovailoa’s efficiency contributed to four scoring drives of 10 or more plays, which elapsed six or more minutes. The Dolphins also did not punt Sunday.
The teams combined for five drives in the first half, with each team’s first two lasting 12 more plays and six or more minutes each.
“I think we only had about three drives last season that lasted 14 plays,” McDaniel said. “We’ve adjusted to how defenses have adjusted to us. The whole orchestration of your offense is right it shouldn’t matter who you go against and what they decide to do.”
The Dolphins put together a 14-play, 97-yard drive that lasted 7:47, capped with Tagovailoa throwing an 8-yard touchdown pass to Tyreek Hill.
“The difference now is not trying to force things down the field,” Tagovailoa said. “Now I’m not trying to force things down field.... We like our matchups with our guys in space.”
Tagovailoa and Hill, who finished with seven catches for 61 yards, connected on a touchdown pass for the second consecutive game.
The Dolphins’ defense recorded three sacks of Minshew by Zach Sieler, Calais Campbell and Emmanuel Ogbah.
But Miami was torched often by tight end Brock Bowers, who finished with 13 catches for 124 yards and a touchdown.
The Dolphins, who were still missing injured fullback Alec Ingold, amassed 82 yards rushing. De’Von Achane led the way on the ground with 17 carries for 73 yards and a touchdown. He also caught four passes for 32 yards.
Miami will host New England next Sunday before traveling to face Green Bay on Thanksgiving Night (Nov. 28).
“We’re glad that everyone gets to see it,” Tagovailoa said. “One thing I know that all the players feel in the locker room is we’re not satisfied.”
This story was originally published November 17, 2024 at 4:06 PM.
