The Miami Dolphins delivered one of their most efficient offensive performances of the 2024 season, defeating the Las Vegas Raiders 34–19 on November 17 at Hard Rock Stadium. In front of 65,440 fans, Miami executed a flawless, turnover-free game plan that resulted in points on six of seven offensive possessions and zero punts, a rare feat that underscored their dominance. The win pushed the Dolphins to 4–6 and gave them momentum in a tightly packed AFC playoff picture, while the Raiders fell to 2–8 despite a historic performance by rookie sensation Brock Bowers.
Miami’s Offensive Blueprint: Score, Control, Repeat
From the opening drive, Miami established the tone of the afternoon. Rather than relying on deep shots or explosive plays, head coach Mike McDaniel orchestrated a methodical attack built on ball control, short-to-intermediate passing, and strategic rushing. This approach resulted in Miami scoring on nearly every possession while keeping their defense fresh.
The Dolphins posted 353 total yards and a remarkable 8-of-12 conversion rate on third downs (66.7%). Their commitment to efficiency allowed them to dominate time of possession (33:12), an element that gradually wore down the Raiders defense.
Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, playing one of his sharpest games of the season, completed 28 of 36 passes for 288 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions. His passer rating of 127.8 was more than 30 points above his season average and reflected his command of Miami’s offense. Particularly notable was his performance under pressure; Tua completed five of eight pressured throws for 101 yards and two touchdowns, doubling his normal production in broken-play situations.
“We’ve got good enough players to where if we get them the ball in space, we like our chances,” McDaniel said afterward.
Las Vegas: Bright Spots Overshadowed by Costly Mistakes
For the Raiders, the afternoon featured individual brilliance but collective breakdowns. Rookie tight end Brock Bowers shattered an NFL record with 13 receptions, the most ever by a rookie tight end in a single game. His 126 receiving yards and 23-yard touchdown highlighted his playmaking ability, and he accounted for 43% of Las Vegas’ receptions and 45% of their receiving yards.
Bowers’ historic achievement, however, merely highlighted the Raiders’ lopsided offensive distribution. No other receiver surpassed 50 yards, and Las Vegas mustered only 60 yards on the ground — their third-worst rushing output of the season.
Quarterback Gardner Minshew posted respectable raw numbers: 30-of-43 passing, 282 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. But his late-game decision making once again proved costly. Trailing by five with just over three minutes remaining, Minshew forced a throw into coverage, where Miami star cornerback Jalen Ramsey jumped the route for a game-sealing interception. It was Minshew’s 13th turnover in 10 games and continued a season-long pattern of critical mistakes in tight moments.
“We just have to keep executing and strain a little bit more,” Raiders interim coach Antonio Pierce said. “We had opportunities, but we didn’t finish.”
The Game-Sealing Sequence: Two Plays, Four Minutes, Season Impact
The turning point of the game came with a pair of plays just minutes apart in the fourth quarter.
Play 1: Defensive Breakdown Leads to a 57-Yard TD
With Miami holding a 24–19 lead and facing 3rd-and-long, the Raiders needed a stop. Instead, their secondary suffered a catastrophic coverage breakdown. Safety Isaiah Pola-Mao crashed toward the line of scrimmage on play action, while linebacker Robert Spillane followed the running back into the flat, leaving a massive void in the middle of the field. Jonnu Smith—completely uncovered—hauled in a deep pass and sprinted 57 yards for the touchdown.
“The red seas parted,” Smith joked after the game. “It was a busted coverage. Tua and I locked eyes and made the rest happen.”
Play 2: Ramsey Ends the Comeback Attempt
On the ensuing drive, Minshew attempted to force the ball outside, never seeing Ramsey who had anticipated the route from the snap. The interception ended Las Vegas’ hopes and allowed Miami to run out the clock on a mistake-free victory.
Receiving Breakdown: A Tale of Two Approaches
The game showcased how differently the teams approached their passing attacks:
Raiders: Bowers or Bust
Las Vegas’ passing game ran almost exclusively through Bowers, as injuries and ineffective play limited other options. Jakobi Meyers recorded just 28 yards, DJ Turner and Tre Tucker combined for minimal impact, and alignment issues prevented Las Vegas from testing Miami’s secondary deep.
Miami: Balanced and Strategic
Miami spread targets across seven players.
- Jonnu Smith emerged as the star with 101 yards and two touchdowns.
- Tyreek Hill, normally the explosive centerpiece, played a controlled possession role, recording 61 yards and a short touchdown.
- Jaylen Waddle, used sparingly, made key plays including a 24-yard pressure-beating catch to extend a drive.
With Raheem Mostert injured early, Miami leaned on Achane out of the backfield, including four receptions for 32 yards that served as efficient extensions of the running game.
Ground Game: One Team Dominated, One Disappeared
Miami relied heavily on De’Von Achane, who delivered 73 rushing yards on 17 carries and added a receiving element out of the backfield. His explosive 30-yard run set up a scoring drive, and his consistency forced Las Vegas to stay honest defensively.
By contrast, the Raiders’ rushing attack was virtually nonexistent.
- Alexander Mattison: 19 yards
- Zamir White: 9 yards
- Meyers (WR): Team-long 20 yards on a sweep
With the offensive line struggling — none of the starters earned a run-blocking grade above 67.4 — the Raiders became one-dimensional, placing pressure solely on Minshew and Bowers.
Defense & Special Teams: Miami Clean, Raiders Inconsistent
Miami’s defensive leader was Jordyn Brooks, whose 13 tackles anchored the interior and included a crucial goal-line stand in the second quarter that forced Las Vegas into a field goal. Those four lost points loomed large.
Ramsey’s interception and two pass breakups highlighted his return to elite form, while Miami’s pass rush — led by Campbell, Sieler, and Ogbah — generated three sacks and constant pressure.
Las Vegas’ defense had individual standouts, including Spillane’s 11 tackles, but coverage busts and a lack of pass rush allowed Miami to operate comfortably all afternoon.
Special teams further emphasized Miami’s dominance: they never punted, while the Raiders repeatedly ceded field position.
Looking Ahead
Miami’s 4–6 record keeps their playoff path alive. Their newfound identity — time control, safe passing, and high-efficiency drives — has delivered back-to-back wins and could become the formula that saves their season.
The Raiders, meanwhile, appear destined for a top-five draft pick. With six straight losses and ongoing offensive struggles, the franchise remains in evaluation mode. The lone bright spot is Bowers, whose record-setting season suggests he could become a foundational star once Las Vegas stabilizes at quarterback and offensive line.
Bottom Line
This game was a clinic in efficiency versus inconsistency. Miami’s mistake-free approach, 75% red zone touchdown rate, and balanced offense were simply too much for a Raiders team relying on one rookie star and a quarterback prone to turnovers. Despite Brock Bowers’ brilliance, the Dolphins controlled every critical aspect of the matchup, extending their win streak and leaving Las Vegas searching for answers.
Conclusion
In the end, the las vegas raiders vs miami dolphins match player stats reveal a game defined by efficiency, discipline, and execution on Miami’s side—and missed opportunities on Las Vegas’ side. The Dolphins played nearly flawless football, finishing with zero turnovers, three red-zone touchdowns, and a perfect streak of offensive possessions without a single punt. Tua Tagovailoa delivered one of his most controlled and accurate performances of the season, while De’Von Achane and Jonnu Smith provided the explosive moments that broke the game open.
For the Raiders, Brock Bowers’ historic 13-catch performance showcased the talent they can build around, but one rookie tight end cannot overcome a struggling run game, blown coverages, and another late-game turnover from Gardner Minshew. Las Vegas once again showed flashes of potential but couldn’t finish drives, leaving eight critical points on the field in red-zone failures. Their defensive breakdown on Smith’s 57-yard touchdown and Ramsey’s timely interception sealed their fate.
Miami’s approach was simple but effective—control the ball, avoid mistakes, and capitalize on every scoring chance. As the Dolphins climb to 4–6 and keep their playoff hopes alive, the Raiders drop to 2–8 with a long rebuild ahead. Ultimately, the matchup demonstrated the gap between a team finding its identity and one still searching for answers.
