While it might not be all that impressive of a win streak, the Miami Dolphins’ Week 11 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders gave Miami its first pair of back-to-back wins this season.
For a team hoping to string together enough wins to make the playoffs, the Dolphins got the job done this week. It wasn’t a flawless win, but Miami has played its best football in consecutive weeks.
The Dolphins scored a season-high 34 points, and the Raiders’ 19 points could have been worse if Miami’s run defense gave way. Las Vegas hung with Miami for most of the game, but the Dolphins’ offense wouldn’t be stopped, and the defense did just enough to close the game.
Here’s how we graded each unit:
Offense: A
Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
This was the offensive performance everyone has been waiting to see from Miami. Whether on the ground or through the air, the Dolphins moved the ball with ease.
Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa completed 28 of his 36 pass attempts for 288 yards and three touchdowns. While running back De’Von Achane was the only rusher to find success, he accounted for 73 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries.
The Dolphins scored at will on Sunday. They completed six drives; one was cut short due to halftime. Miami scored on all six of its drives, getting four touchdowns and two field goals.
Even when the offense wasn’t able to get into the end zone, it got into field goal range. The offense couldn’t have looked much better, even if it came against a weak Raiders team.
Defense: C+
(Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images)
While Miami’s offense couldn’t be stopped, the defense could hardly make a stop.
Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew III threw all over the Dolphins for most of the day Sunday, finishing with 30 completions for 282 yards, two touchdowns and a pick. If not for Jalen Ramsey’s late interception, the game could have been even closer, and Minshew’s stat line would’ve been stellar.
Miami’s pass defense didn’t get the job done for most of the day, but the Dolphins gave up very little on the ground. The Raiders’ underwhelming stable of running backs were held to 29 yards on 11 attempts; the only players to rush efficiently for Las Vegas were its wide receivers on a small sample size.
Even though the Vegas rushing attack didn’t get much going, the Raiders still scored on four of its six full-length drives. They punted on their first drive of the second half and had an interception late in the fourth.
Special Teams: A
(Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
While it wasn’t relied on much Sunday, the Miami special teams unit played well in its limited opportunities.
Jason Sanders had a perfect day. He made both field goal attempts and all four of his extra point kicks. He also kicked touchbacks on almost every kickoff, except for one that was returned to the 30-yard line anyway.
Punter Jake Bailey, on the other hand, only got on the field to hold for field goal attempts. It’s always a good day for the offense when the punter is more of a spectator than a player.
Coaching: B
Nov 17, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel runs off the field following a victory over the Las Vegas Raiders at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
On the offensive end, there weren’t many issues with the coaching Sunday. Miami was clicking on all cylinders.
Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel made sure to get Achane involved, something that hasn’t been a given this season. And the offense was its most capable since Tagovailoa’s return.
The coaching issues were on the defensive end. Miami couldn’t adjust to what Las Vegas threw at it.
Minshew threw the ball 43 times, but outside of the team’s interception, it couldn’t figure out a way to stop him. And he was hurting the defense the same way all day, by throwing the ball to rookie tight end Brock Bowers, who ended the day with 13 catches for 126 yards and a touchdown.
Overall: A-
Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
Miami’s defense wasn’t on its A-game, but the win on Sunday was overwhelmingly positive. It was the most impressive victory the team has pulled out all season.
The offense played well all afternoon, and the defense came up with just enough stops for a 15-point victory.
The win keeps the Dolphins’ playoff hopes alive, as a loss would have created a near-impossible hole to dig out of. Miami might be able to afford a couple more losses, but it’s unlikely the team would have a shot at making the postseason if it had lost to the Raiders.
Miami has plenty of winnable games left on the schedule. The win against the Raiders could, and should, be a source of momentum for a surging Dolphins team.
