Week 3 Preview Miami Dolphins vs. Oakland Raiders
By Sean Moon
The Miami Dolphins will head home this Sunday to take on the Oakland Raiders. Both teams come into the game with something to prove.
Alright Miami Dolphins fans, on Sunday September 23rd in beautiful Miami Florida, at Hard Rock Stadium, your Miami Dolphins will take on the Oakland Raiders. A classic east coast-west coast match up between two franchises that seem headed in opposite directions.
The 2-0 Miami Dolphins (sounds good, doesn’t it) are trending up after a victory against the lame green Jets in week 2. They showcased their young and talented defense and boy did they ever deliver the boom. Superior defensive line play, created turnovers and simply out hustling the Jets to a sweet divisional victory.
The 0-2 Oakland Raiders come to town with their tails between their legs. Giving up a 12 point half time lead last week against the Denver Broncos and losing their divisional match-up 20-19. The Oakland Raiders loss, of what was arguably the best defensive player in the league Khalil Mack, definitely showed up, as their pass rush or lack thereof, was not what it once was.
I would love to see a big talented tight end come in and dominate the middle of the field, but I am beginning to realize Mike Gesicki is not ready to take on that role yet, maybe next year and 25 extra pounds and some freaking blocking lessons, but that of course is a story for another time.
The Dolphins defense will have their hands full with the Derek Carr and Amari Cooper combination, which both played pretty dam good last week. Derek Carr went 29 of 32 for 288 yards and 1 touchdown without much pass rush in his face. I don’t foresee them getting off like that against a pumped up Dolphins defense that is playing with a chip on its shoulder from all the national media disrespect.
With the possibility of what I consider the best strong safety in the league, Reshad Jones, potentially being out for Sunday’s match-up, the Oakland Raiders might try to attack the Dolphins deep. The pass rush should be harassing Derek Carr all afternoon and if the defensive line can slow Marshawn Lynch down, it will be a long day for the Oakland Raiders offense.
Kiko Alonso and fellow linebackers must contain Jared Cook who is playing well and is starting to develop nice chemistry with his QB. Jared Cook has a real knack for getting open down field, and could give the Dolphins linebackers some real issues if not blanketed early and often.
It should be a humid, warm day on Sunday, with potential for scattered thunderstorms. The Oakland Raiders should be feeling the humidity and the jet lag from the coast to coast flight and that has historically proven to effect teams .
The Miami dolphins cannot make the mistake of looking past this Oakland Raiders team, because of the looming divisional and statement game following the next week against the New England Patriots. The Raiders are looking to get in the win column and have talent, especially on the offensive side of the ball, but the Dolphins look to silence their critics with a solid performance against a team their expected to beat and I believe they will.