In a tightly contested game for three quarters, the visiting Raiders couldn't keep up with the red-hot Miami offense as the Dolphins pulled away to secure back-to-back wins for the first time in the 2024 season.
Excluding a drive that ended with the expiration of the second quarter, Miami scored on all six possessions, including touchdowns on the first three drives of the second half. The defense put the finishing touches on the win with Jalen Ramsey's second interception of the season securing a 34-19 victory.
Here are the takeaways from another Dolphins win.
- Efficient Tua, Efficient Dolphins
Excluding drives that end with the half or in kneel downs, the Dolphins have scored on nine consecutive possessions dating back to last week. Those drives have produced the following averages: 55 yards, 5:08 of game clock and 5.22 points per drive.
In Sunday's win, the Dolphins averaged 4.85 points per drive, the second-highest total in an NFL game this year (Detroit 5.15 vs. Jacksonville).
Since Tagovailoa's Week 8 return, the Dolphins have converted 60 percent of their third down opportunities (29 for 48), the best mark in the NFL. It's helped Miami, over that span, rank second in points per drive (3.17, trailing the Lions at 3.18) and first in drive success rate at 60 percent.
- The Ensemble
This offseason, the Dolphins prioritized rounding out the weapons at their franchise quarterback's disposal. After a slow start in the first two games, and a four-game absence due to Tagovailoa's injury, General Manager Chris Grier and Head Coach Mike McDaniel are seeing that vision crystalize.
The Dolphins have talked a lot about needing to sustain drives, execute better on third down and usher in the next evolution of this offense. While the big plays aren't as plentiful as we've seen the past two seasons – though they did get a 57-yard, game-clinching throw from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to tight end Jonnu Smith on Sunday – they haven't needed it.
Aided by that game-sealing score, Jonnu Smith became the first Dolphins tight end since the merger in 1970 to top 100 receiving yards and score a pair of touchdowns. Four of Smith's six first downs in the game came on third or fourth down.
"He's making defenses pay for the over attention that Tyreek (Hill) and (Jaylen) Waddle get, and that space that's added by, let's say, a linebacker playing in the alley between the numbers and the hash and his landmark is three yards deeper based upon our offense and trying to stop the in-breaks for Tyreek and Waddle," McDaniel said of Smith. "He's making full use of those extra three yards and adding a real cool element to our offense that we needed every yard that he's had for us this year."
Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. has a red zone third down conversion on the heels of last week's critical third down chain-moving catch on the game-clinching drive.
Running back De'Von Achane caught four passes for 42 yards, including a 17-yard play on the game's opening third down.
Tight end Julian Hill registered a career-high 28 receiving yards and rookie wide receiver Malik Washington caught three more passes.
A more balanced attack has the Dolphins hitting their stride as Thanksgiving approaches.
- Mad Maxx
The Raiders brought just a 2-7 mark with them to South Florida for this matchup, but they also brought defensive end Maxx Crosby. Crosby, a three-time All-Pro in just five seasons, is at it again with 6.5 sacks, 14 quarterback hits and 11 tackles for loss this season.
Those numbers didn't budge after 60 minutes of football at Hard Rock Stadium. Miami's offensive line held the game's premier edge rusher without a tally in the critical pass rush categories. Pro Football Focus credited Crosby with three QB pressures, tying his lowest mark of the season.
On balance, Tagovailoa was pressured on just eight of his 38 drop backs. When under pressure, he completed five of six passes for 101 yards, two touchdowns and a perfect 158.3 passer rating.
For more analysis, takeaways and breakdowns, download the Drive Time Podcast with Travis Wingfield, available on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
