Las Vegas Raiders (2-7) will face off against the Miami Dolphins (3-6) this Sunday at 1 p.m. EST, broadcasted on CBS. BetMGM has set the Dolphins as favorites by 7.5 points. In terms of performance against the spread this season, the Raiders hold a record of 4-5, while the Dolphins are at 3-6. Historically, Miami leads the series against Las Vegas with a record of 19-18-1, having secured a victory last season on November 19, 2023, where they won 20-13 in Miami Gardens, Florida.
Last week, the Raiders were on a bye after losing to the Cincinnati Bengals 41-24 in Week 9, while the Dolphins emerged with a win against the Rams, finishing 23-15. Offensively, the Raiders rank 29th overall, 32nd in rushing, and 18th in passing, scoring an average of 25 points per game. On the defensive end, they are placed 15th overall, with a rush defense at 22nd, a pass defense 11th, and a scoring defense at 30th. In comparison, the Dolphins sit 20th in terms of offensive ranking, excelling in rushing at 9th but lagging in passing at 25th, averaging 30 points scored. Their defense is stronger, ranked 10th overall, with 12th in rushing and 8th in passing, permitting 17 points per contest. The turnover differential shows the Raiders at minus-14, while the Dolphins sit at minus-3.
For the Raiders, quarterback Gardner Minshew is under pressure to prove himself after a rough stint leading to 12 turnovers—eight of which are interceptions. He must demonstrate improved ball security, especially with Desmond Ridder as a backup option. Minshew’s performance in this matchup could determine whether he remains the starter for the remainder of the season. On the Dolphins’ side, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa passed for 207 yards in the prior game but stepped up during critical moments. He achieved a notable 9 of 12 passes for 137 yards on third downs. The ongoing concern is his decision-making on the field, particularly after he was analyzed for a risky tackle following an interception. Dolphins’ head coach Mike McDaniel noted that Tagovailoa is aware he must make better choices to stay healthy, especially after suffering his third concussion in two years.
A significant matchup to watch will be Minshew against the Dolphins’ strong defense. Miami has been impressive, allowing only 191.3 passing yards per game, showcasing an exceptional performance against the Rams by not allowing a touchdown last week. Previous encounters between these two teams featured the Dolphins executing key fourth down stops and interceptions to secure their victories.
In terms of injuries, the Raiders’ offensive line appears to be slightly more robust with the return of lateral tackle Kolton Miller and guard/tackle Andrus Peat participating in practice. However, the conditions of center Andre James and guard Cody Whitehair remain uncertain. On the Dolphins’ front, cornerback Kendall Fuller is probable to miss the game as he stays within the concussion protocol. Additionally, right tackle Austin Jackson will not be returning this season due to a necessary knee surgery, while wide receiver Tyreek Hill is managing a wrist injury.
It’s notable that even with Miami’s lead in regular-season matchups, Las Vegas leads the playoff series at 3-1. The home teams have triumphed in the last four postseason meetings. In their last strong defensive effort, the Dolphins held the Raiders to just 36 rushing yards, marking the Raiders’ lowest rushing output since a similar performance against Denver in 2017.
Diving into statistics, rookie tight end Brock Bowers has set a record for the most yards after catch this season among tight ends, with 307 yards recorded. Additionally, cornerback Jack Jones stands out with four career interceptions returned for touchdowns. Defensive end Maxx Crosby is close to achieving milestone tackles, needing just one more for 100 in his career. The Raiders have managed to record at least one sack in 27 consecutive games, tying them with the Los Angeles Rams for the fourth-longest current active streak in the league.
As for individual player highlights, kicker Daniel Carlson has had three of the best scoring seasons in the franchise history and dominates the single-season field goal percentage records. Despite the Dolphins only having one win at home this season, they aim to achieve their 500th franchise win with a victory, which would mark their place in NFL history as the 19th team to reach this milestone. Tyreek Hill recently had his first touchdown since the season opener against the Rams, while wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. requires 36 receiving yards to hit an impressive career total of 8,000.
Lastly, for fantasy football enthusiasts, running back De’Von Achane leads the team in multiple categories, including carries and rushing yards, making him a player to watch as the Raiders and Dolphins clash in what promises to be an engaging matchup.