1. This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Learn More.

Dolphins @ Raiders - Game Thread

Discussion in 'Miami Dolphins Forum' started by Galant, Dec 23, 2020.

  1. Galant

    Galant Love - Unity - Sacrifice - Eternity

    19,127
    11,058
    113
    Apr 22, 2014
    'Tis Wednesday, good fellows!

    And thus may we commence our weekly football filament!

    Having been the favoured side at home against New England the Miami Dolphins now traverse afar, deep into the desert, to challenge the nefarious Las Vegas Raiders, in what is expected to be a hard fought contest.



    _____________________________

    Oddsshark Preview:
    December 26, 2020, 8:15 PM ET
    Allegiant Stadium
    Miami
    Dolphins
    9-5 (11-3 ATS)

    Las Vegas
    Raiders
    7-7 (7-7 ATS)

    Predicted Score
    23.9
    25.8
    Las Vegas will Win, Cover the Spread, and the Total will go Over.

    Opening Odds Analysis
    The game opened with the Raiders as favorites at -1.5 but the line has shifted in favor of the Dolphins, who are now favorites at -2.5 across the board. The total opened at 46.5 and has moved up slightly to 47 and 48 depending on the sportsbook.

    Miami News & Notes
    The Dolphins defense has been the story of their season. The Dolphins have allowed the second-fewest points in the NFL and lead the league with 26 forced turnovers. Star cornerback Xavien Howard is starting to garner Defensive Player of the Year buzz as the young playmaker now tops the league with nine interceptions.

    The numbers are underwhelming, but Tua Tagovailoa now sports a 5-2 record as a starter with nine touchdowns and just two interceptions. The rookie quarterback has not exactly been putting the team on his back, but he is playing competent, safe football that gives his team a chance to win every week.

    Tagovailoa has not had a full complement of weapons at his disposal (which could be contributing to the mediocre numbers) and that could continue this weekend as DeVante Parker, Mike Gesicki and Jakeem Grant are all questionable for Week 16.

    Las Vegas News & Notes
    The Las Vegas Raiders have certainly had an up-and-down season, at times looking great and at other times looking like a bottom-five team in the league. The defense has certainly been bottom five as only three teams have allowed more points than the Raiders. Only five teams have created fewer turnovers and only four teams are allowing more yards on a per play basis.

    The Raiders have been much better on the offensive side of the ball. Quarterback Derek Carr is having one of the best statistical years of his career and now ranks ninth in completion percentage, ninth in quarterback rating and 10th in QBR. The problem is Carr was hurt in Vegas’ Week 15 loss to the Chargers and is questionable for this game.

    If Carr is unable to play, veteran Marcus Mariota would get the start. Mariota was 17-for-28 for 226 yards with a touchdown and an interception in Week 15, adding 88 yards and a touchdown on the ground.

    Betting Pick: Dolphins -2.5
    The Dolphins are the better team, have a far better defense and should not have trouble scoring on the Raiders. Meanwhile, the Raiders could be without their starting quarterback.

    _____________________________
     
  2. JJ_79

    JJ_79 Well-Known Member

    4,587
    1,707
    113
    Nov 25, 2012
    Germany
    Bummer, won’t watch that game live. 2:30 am, little late for me... But we should manage to get the W there, if we keep playing like the new Dolphins we all got almost accustomed to.
     
  3. ExplosionsInDaSky

    ExplosionsInDaSky Well-Known Member

    3,163
    2,325
    113
    Sep 13, 2011
    It's another must win for the playoffs. It gets us the ten wins, but i'm afraid it'll take 11 this year to go to the dance. I'll be honest, i'm more worried about Mariotta than I am Carr. We're going to have to rough him up a little bit to keep him in check. Do that, and we should be ok. This will be a close game.
     
    PhinFan1968 likes this.
  4. KeyFin

    KeyFin Well-Known Member

    10,488
    12,821
    113
    Nov 1, 2009
    I think we beat the Raiders by a decent margin this weekend as we dial up pressure on Mariota. The ground game will continue but hey, we might have some receivers to throw at this week as well!

    Miami wins it, 30-13. X also gets two more picks (one if Carr starts) to add to his impressive 2020 collection.
     
    PhinFan1968 likes this.
  5. PhinFan1968

    PhinFan1968 To 2020, and BEYOND! Club Member

    Ya its certainly going to take 11 to get in, at this point. Borderline impossible at 10.

    Every week is a playoff week for this team, like Flo said. LV has an offense that, when clicking, can put up a lot of points quick...luckily we have a defense that specializes in preventing that exact situation. Their running backs are no joke when they get ticking too, so it's gonna be a chess match for 4 quarters.

    I'm not so sure they get to the over...kinda surprised the Dolphins are favored on the road. LV is in a bit of a funk though so I guess it makes sense. Coming up short against KC their last game seems to have broken them...their last 4 games haven't been good at all.

    Need the good guys to punch 'em in the mouth and keep punching! Miami 27-13
     
  6. mlb1399

    mlb1399 Well-Known Member

    3,893
    3,087
    113
    Mar 6, 2010
    If we win this game, I’m happy even if we lose against Buffalo. Being in contention and winning 10 games was so far beyond my expectations. Obviously, I want us to win out and make the playoffs but managing my buddy expectations.
     
  7. vmarcilfan75

    vmarcilfan75 blah...blah...blah... Club Member

    6,826
    2,350
    113
    Dec 13, 2007
    City Of Angels
    Carr participates in full practice today. More than likely the starting QB Saturday night
     
    KeyFin likes this.
  8. Phin McCool

    Phin McCool Well-Known Member

    713
    735
    93
    Jan 29, 2017
    United Kingdom
    Gaskin also activated from the C-19 list. I was going to cheekily add Ahmed into my fantasy football final line-up this week but I guess Gaskin will be numero uno in the pecking order, won't he?
     
    KeyFin likes this.
  9. Galant

    Galant Love - Unity - Sacrifice - Eternity

    19,127
    11,058
    113
    Apr 22, 2014
     
  10. Rick 1966

    Rick 1966 Professional Hipshooter

    8,565
    3,821
    113
    Nov 23, 2007
    Powell, WY
    Sucks that I don't have the NFL Network anymore.
     
  11. Was watching NFL Now on the NFLN and waited for the preview of the Dolphins raiders game and all they talked about is how Miami is going to find a way to defend Raiders TE Darren Waller. Even if this was the AFC Championship Game this is probably the disrespect we would still get from the terrible Networks who ignore the fact that Miami will soon be a scary good team in the NFL.
    Can't wait for a dolphins win on saturday! It's times like this when its literally us against the rest of the NFL. Miami vs. Analysts, commentators, fans and teams.
    It's been personal for a very long time.
     
    xphinfanx and KeyFin like this.
  12. Fishhead

    Fishhead Well-Known Member

    2,068
    1,731
    113
    Sep 29, 2016
    Yes, it has.
    PS. Don’t forget the refs, especially when we play the Patriots.
     
    Canadianphinfan likes this.
  13. KeyFin

    KeyFin Well-Known Member

    10,488
    12,821
    113
    Nov 1, 2009
    The thing is, it really doesn't matter- none of it. Let the haters hate and the talking heads talk. Miami has proven all of them wrong two seasons in a row.

    I personally like us being the underdog that gets overlooked, but that's honestly not happening anymore with NFL teams. They know we're the real deal and there's not an easy way to beat us in the passing game. With our run D improving every week, we are a nightmare match-up for just about anyone....and we haven't had a single skill player on offense starting except for our rookie QB! Once our offense even partially catches up, we're going to be a top-5 team for a very long time.
     
  14. The_Dark_Knight

    The_Dark_Knight Defender of the Truth

    11,817
    10,321
    113
    Nov 24, 2007
    Rockledge, FL
    Yea, me neither. AT&T lost their contract with NFL Network. Just hope I can stream it on sportsurge.
     
  15. Cashvillesent

    Cashvillesent A female Tannehill fan

    770
    641
    93
    Dec 8, 2019
    Seems like Carr will be starting...
     
    PhinFan1968 likes this.
  16. Rick 1966

    Rick 1966 Professional Hipshooter

    8,565
    3,821
    113
    Nov 23, 2007
    Powell, WY
    I did a 7-day free trial with Fubo TV. That'll get me through this game, anyway.
     
  17. KeyFin

    KeyFin Well-Known Member

    10,488
    12,821
    113
    Nov 1, 2009
    I know we're getting to see the Fins a day early, but because of the holiday and already having a few days off, this kickoff feels like it's taking absolutely forever to arrive!
     
    resnor and Cashvillesent like this.
  18. PhinFan1968

    PhinFan1968 To 2020, and BEYOND! Club Member

    Last edited: Dec 26, 2020
  19. djphinfan

    djphinfan Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    111,651
    67,546
    113
    Dec 20, 2007
    xphinfanx and PhinFan1968 like this.
  20. Oh hell yeah now that's a Hype video! Motivate us all!
     
    xphinfanx likes this.
  21. xphinfanx

    xphinfanx Stay strong my friends.

    10,823
    2,214
    113
    Nov 1, 2009
    Nice!
     
  22. brandon27

    brandon27 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    45,652
    19,304
    113
    Dec 3, 2007
    Windsor, ON. CANADA
    Hope everyone had a good Christmas!

    Everyone picking us tonight on NFLN. Can't remember that last time I've seen that for us on a prime time game.
     
    resnor likes this.
  23. resnor

    resnor Derp Sherpa

    16,329
    9,874
    113
    Nov 25, 2007
    New Hampshire
    No Parker? Come on.
     
  24. brandon27

    brandon27 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    45,652
    19,304
    113
    Dec 3, 2007
    Windsor, ON. CANADA
    Well that was a pretty underwhelming start on O against a pretty bad D statistically.

    Now a big punt return too. Not the start I was hoping to see.
     
  25. Deus ex dolphin

    Deus ex dolphin Well-Known Member

    4,142
    2,339
    113
    Dec 2, 2007
    Miami looks surprised they were supposed to be playing a football game tonight.
     
    PhinFan1968 and brandon27 like this.
  26. mlb1399

    mlb1399 Well-Known Member

    3,893
    3,087
    113
    Mar 6, 2010
    Well, we spotted them 7. Now time to get our head out of our a**es.
     
  27. Pennphinphan

    Pennphinphan AKA Pennphinfan but I forgot my login

    135
    82
    28
    Dec 25, 2016
    Carr telegraphed that sneak 200%. Already leaning into the line before the play. Apparently the D didn't notice
     
  28. Berezo

    Berezo Well-Known Member

    4,209
    1,772
    113
    Sep 9, 2012
    Atlanta, GA
    Flattest the team has looked in months
     
  29. brandon27

    brandon27 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    45,652
    19,304
    113
    Dec 3, 2007
    Windsor, ON. CANADA
    Getting manhandled up front by one of the worst defenses in the league so far. Guess that's why our offense is near the bottom of the league as well.

    Nice throw there from Tua go pick up the first down.
     
  30. brandon27

    brandon27 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    45,652
    19,304
    113
    Dec 3, 2007
    Windsor, ON. CANADA
    Grant's hands are just awful. If he catches that ball cleanly it's an easy first, and from the look we got downfield a real good chance at 6.
     
    mlb1399 and Fishhead like this.
  31. Fireland

    Fireland Well-Known Member

    1,461
    1,234
    113
    Dec 29, 2013
    Someone get this poor guy some receivers
     
    Fishhead likes this.
  32. brandon27

    brandon27 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    45,652
    19,304
    113
    Dec 3, 2007
    Windsor, ON. CANADA
    Really missing Kindley on the OL it looks like.
     
  33. PhinFan1968

    PhinFan1968 To 2020, and BEYOND! Club Member

    He's a bum...shouldn't even be starting on STs IMO.

    LV D came to play...Dolphins not-so-much.
     
  34. Deus ex dolphin

    Deus ex dolphin Well-Known Member

    4,142
    2,339
    113
    Dec 2, 2007
    Raiders knowing we won't throw it deep is a huge advantage on defense. Hopefully our defense can get us some short fields or put up some points.
     
    brandon27 likes this.
  35. btfu149

    btfu149 Well-Known Member

    2,160
    900
    113
    Aug 5, 2011
    Indianapolis, IN
    I’ll be very disappointed if Grant is on the field for anything other than kick returns or for an occasional gadget play next season
     
  36. brandon27

    brandon27 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    45,652
    19,304
    113
    Dec 3, 2007
    Windsor, ON. CANADA
    Just watch him catch it Rowe.
     
    PhinFan1968 likes this.
  37. Berezo

    Berezo Well-Known Member

    4,209
    1,772
    113
    Sep 9, 2012
    Atlanta, GA
    Getting out coached for the first time in awhile
     
  38. brandon27

    brandon27 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    45,652
    19,304
    113
    Dec 3, 2007
    Windsor, ON. CANADA
    Looking like the defense is going to have to make some big plays or force a turnover or two if we are going to win this one so far.
     
  39. texanphinatic

    texanphinatic Senior Member

    11,881
    4,834
    113
    Nov 26, 2007
    Detroit Metro Area MI
    This feels a lot like the Broncos game. Gotta step it up on both sides of the ball ASAP or the playoffs are done.
     
    mlb1399 and PhinFan1968 like this.
  40. brandon27

    brandon27 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    45,652
    19,304
    113
    Dec 3, 2007
    Windsor, ON. CANADA
    and just like that; there's the defense making a play with the sack. Time for the offense to wake up.
     
    PhinFan1968 and xphinfanx like this.

Share This Page