Dolphins-Raiders Week 11 Five Biggest Storylines … And How They Played Out.
The Miami Dolphins defeated the Las Vegas Raiders 20–13 to begin the second half of their season. We looked at and ranked the top five storylines ahead of this Week 11 matchup; it’s time to go over those again:
1. Dolphins Want to Keep Up Their Magic at Home
Prior to the game: The Dolphins will be playing their fifth home game of the season, and it will be difficult to match or surpass their previous performances given that they have won their first four games by a minimum of 14 points and at least 31 points. That naturally includes the legendary 70-20 rout of the Denver Broncos, which earned a Hall of Fame inductee spot.It will be fascinating to see if the bye’s hiatus has any bearing on the Dolphins’ home supremacy.
During and after the game: Despite the fact that this was not the offensive display we had become accustomed to at Hard Rock Stadium, the Dolphins managed to maintain their perfect home record and remain the only unbeaten team in the AFC. Despite finishing with 422 yards overall, the Dolphins were only able to score six points after the half. However, as they say in the industry, a victory is a victory.
2. Achane Back
Before the game: Rookie rushing back De’Von Achane, who has missed the previous four games due to a knee injury, will be back in the lineup for the Dolphins, providing one of their most explosive pieces. It will be difficult for Achane to maintain his ridiculous rushing average of 12.1 yards per attempt, but it will be intriguing to watch whether he can break a long run, like he did in every game before to his injury.
During and after the game: Achane’s forced substitution after just four snaps may have been the most frustrating aspect of the match. Though Coach Mike McDaniel stated that Achane intended to return to the game and that the injury was to the same knee, the specifics of Achane’s situation are still unclear. In the best-case scenario, this will be a major fright and a one-game anomaly, but until we find out for sure, it’s a little unsettling.
3. Eichenberg Steps in for Hunt
Before the game: 2021 second-round pick Liam Eichenberg will start in right guard Robert Hunt’s place on the offensive line, since he will once again be sidelined. It will finish Eichenberg’s offensive line career, which he is hoping will have an impact. With his draft status and sporadic problems, Eichenberg will face intense scrutiny when facing the Raiders.
During and after the game: Eichenberg looked to have played a flawless game against Las Vegas. Although Eichenberg’s performance wasn’t particularly noteworthy for the running game, he did make a few nice blocks and there was no obvious error. Only one sack was given to Tua, and the second-half offensive problems weren’t limited to the line.
4. Can Defense Keep Arrow Pointing Up?
Before the game: In the weeks leading up to the bye, the Dolphins defense played outstanding defense, limiting Kansas City to only 267 yards overall in the Chiefs’ loss in Germany. The Dolphins’ defense is as healthy as it gets right now, so there’s no reason to think they can’t continue to be successful on that side of the ball.
After the game: Without a doubt, the answer to this is yes. In the fourth quarter, when the Raiders had a chance to tie the game, the Dolphins forced three stops after De-Shon Elliott lost his footing in deep coverage, allowing Davante Adams to score a long touchdown.
5. Are New Raiders for Real?
Before the game: Under interim head coach Antonio Pierce, Las Vegas has won its first two games against the New York Giants and New York Jets. The Raiders, who have a 5-5 record, will be playing their first away game under Pierce, so it will be interesting to see if they can really test the Dolphins. That isn’t what the oddsmakers think, though, with Miami favored by 13.5 points.
Throughout and following the game: Impressive Raiders, you really gave the Dolphins everything you had. Even with the Dolphins’ injuries that they inflicted on themselves, the Raiders covered the point spread relatively easily, playing with vigor from start to finish.