Phin Phanatic
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Miami Dolphins 2021 regular season predictions post-schedule release

By Nick Belotto

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 15: Covid-19 informational signage displayed on the entrance gates prior to the game between the Miami Dolphins and the Los Angeles Chargers at Hard Rock Stadium on November 15, 2020 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 15: Covid-19 informational signage displayed on the entrance gates prior to the game between the Miami Dolphins and the Los Angeles Chargers at Hard Rock Stadium on November 15, 2020 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 26: Myles Gaskin #37 of the Miami Dolphins scores a touchdown in front of Trayvon Mullen #27 of the Las Vegas Raiders to take the lead in the fourth quarter of a game at Allegiant Stadium on December 26, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 26: Myles Gaskin #37 of the Miami Dolphins scores a touchdown in front of Trayvon Mullen #27 of the Las Vegas Raiders to take the lead in the fourth quarter of a game at Allegiant Stadium on December 26, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

In week 3, Miami travels to Las Vegas to once again play the Raiders and hopefully avoid the heart-stopping nature of their last matchup. When these two teams met in December of last season, they played a back and forth game that ended with one of the more dramatic finishes to a football game we have seen in a while.

Jon Gruden and company are in their 4th year at the helm of the Raider’s pirate ship and will need to put together a winning season to finally justify his lengthy and lucrative contract. So, every game for this coaching staff matters a heck of a lot.

A lot of pieces on both sides have changed since last December, but the core remains the same. Miami’s linebackers will have to do a more admirable job of containing tight end Darren Waller and, hopefully, Miami’s linebackers are up to the task. The defense may also have a tough time with running back Josh Jacobs, but they did a decent job against him in last year’s matchup.

This is another game for Tagovailoa to prove himself, too. Last year’s matchup was one of the moments where Tagovailoa was benched for Ryan Fitzpatrick who ended up saving the day and keeping Miami’s playoff hopes alive. Tagovailoa may want to shake off his mid-game benching from last season and light the Raiders up to the tune of 300+ passing yards and 3 scores.

Miami takes this one in Las Vegas.

Dolphins record: 3-0

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