MIAMI GARDENS, Fla., Nov. 17 (UPI) — Tua Tagovailoa and the Miami Dolphins drained energy from defenders, leaning on balanced, long drives early before incinerating the Las Vegas Raiders with explosion in a 34-19 win Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium.
The Dolphins held the ball for 33:12 of the game’s 60 minutes. They outgained the Raiders 353-328 in total yards and held a 25-22 edge in first downs. They also scored on six of seven possessions, with their only failure tied to time expiring in the first half.
“We’ve got good enough players where if we get them the ball in space, we like our chances,” said Tagovailoa, who completed 28 of 36 passes for 288 yards and three scores for the Dolphins.
Tight end Jonnu Smith caught six passes for a career-high 101 yards and two scores, including a game-sealing. 57-yard touchdown in the final minutes.
“I know the record right now doesn’t show it, but we know who we are and where we want to be,” Smith said of the 4-6 Dolphins, who won their second-consecutive game. The Raiders have lost six in a row and are 2-8.
That 1️⃣ to connection pic.twitter.com/d60oEkME0U— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) November 17, 2024
Tagovailoa helped the Dolphins wind time off the game clock with an eight-minute, 13-second opening drive, ending with a 1-yard touchdown toss to Smith.
Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson capped the next possession with a 27-yard field goal. The Dolphins then manufactured their longest drive of the season, timewise, on the next possession.
Kicker Jason Sanders ended the eight-minute, 22-second drive with a 31-yard field goal. Carlson made a 22-yard kick on the next drive, cutting the Raiders’ deficit to four points at halftime.
The Dolphins kept their long-drive rhythm in the second half, using a 14-play, 97-yard drive to extend their lead on their first drive of the third quarter. Tagovailoa threw an 8-yard touchdown pass to Tyreek Hill for that score.
The Raiders again tightened the game with an eght-play, 70-yard drive on the next possession. Quarterback Gardner Minshew threw a 23-yard touchdown pass to tight end Brock Bowers to end the drive.
Dolphins running back De’Von Achane answered with a 2-yard touchdown run with 10:37 remaining. The Raiders proceeded to use a 14-play, 70-yard drive to match the Dolphins’ score. Running back Ameer Abdullah ended the possession with a 10-yard touchdown catch.
Jonnu really said see ya
#LVvsMIA on @NFLonCBS & @paramountplus pic.twitter.com/YbSuyFfsuz— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) November 17, 2024
But the Raiders didn’t score again.
Tagovailoa hit Smith with his long touchdown toss with 3:19 remaining. Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey intercepted Minshew on the next snap. Sanders then made a 46-yard field goal with about two minutes remaining for the final points of the day.
Achane totaled 105 yards from scrimmage and a score on 21 touches. Minshew completed 30 of 43 passes for 271 yards, two scores and an interception in the loss.
Bowers caught 13 passes for a career-high 126 yards, including his third-quarter score.
24th career INT for @jalenramsey
#LVvsMIA on @NFLonCBS & @paramountplus pic.twitter.com/MWo1seyOs8— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) November 17, 2024
The Dolphins will host the New England Patriots (3-7) on Nov. 24 at Hard Rock Stadium. The Raiders will host the Denver Broncos (5-5) on Nov. 24 in Las Vegas.
“We gave ourselves an opportunity,” said Dolphins defensive tackle Calais Campbell, who logged his fourth sack of the season. “But we are still in a hole.
“We’ve still got a long way to go. … We’ve got a lot of life left, a lot of fight left.”
COMMENTS
Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.