Dolphins Diary Week 3: Doomed
There is no question the Miami Dolphins battled in their Week 3 against the Raiders in Las Vegas. Still, their lack of support on the offensive line and the lack of ability from Jacoby Brissett spelled doom, as they lost 31-28 in overtime to drop to 1-2 on the season. The Dolphins had a good start and finished strong to tie the game at the end of regulation, but had trouble moving the ball and had their defense on the field too long, as the Raiders improved to 3-0 and Miami dropped to 1-2 on the season.
During the week, the Dolphins had bad news as Tua Tagovailoa was placed on injured reserve with a fractured rib, which means he will miss at least three games. This starts with the Week 3 matchup against the 2-0 Raiders in Las Vegas. The game started well for Miami, as Elandon Roberts had an 85-yard pick-six to give the Dolphins an early lead. The lead was expanded to 14-0 when the Raiders inexplicably went for it on third down at their own 34.
The game began to turn in the Raiders' favor at the end of the first quarter when AJ Cole pinned the Dolphins against the end zone with a perfect punt. On the first play from scrimmage, Jacoby Brissett hung Jaylen Waddle out to dry with a pass in the end zone, which resulted in a safety. Las Vegas got a field goal on the ensuing possession as the momentum had swung in their favor. After the Dolphins failed to move the ball, the Raiders had a 95-yard touchdown drive, which cut Miami's lead to 14-12, as Alec Ingold caught a one-yard pass from Derek Carr. The Dolphins had a chance to answer, but Jason Sanders missed a 48-yard field goal at the end of the first half.
The Dolphins went three and out on their first possession in the second half, as the Raiders took the lead with Hunter Renfrow catching a 12-yard pass from Carr. After another unsuccessful drive, the Raiders extended their lead to 25-14, with a one-yard run by Peyton Barber. A missed PAT by Daniel Carlson left the door open a crack for Miami, as they got within one score on a 47-yard field goal by Sanders with 8:30 left in the game. The Dolphins needing eight points were turned away on their next drive as Jacoby Brissett was stopped on fourth down and one at the Vegas 43. The Raiders could not run out the clock, as Miami had one last chance to tie the game. With time winding down and fourth down at the two, Brissett got into the end zone with two seconds left. He then completed a two-point try to Will Fuller V to even the score and force overtime.
The Raiders got the ball first and drove down the field, and took the lead on a 38-yard field goal by Daniel Carlson. Miami answered as Jason Sanders was good from 50. Tied 28-28, Miami hoping to get one more try or walk off with their first tie in 40 years allowed a big 34-yard pass to Peyton Barber, which all but sealed their fate as Carlson nailed a 22-yard field goal as the ten minutes elapsed in overtime, resulting in a gut-wrenching 31-28 loss.
The Dolphins return home to face the winless Indianapolis Colts in Week 4. The Colts have had a rough start to the season, losing three games against playoff stalwarts. The Colts will be a desperate team, making it another tall task for the Dolphins, who will be facing the Buccaneers and Jaguars in the ensuing weeks. A loss next week could put their season in serious peril.
