FSM Essential Recap: Week 3 - Raiders Vs Dolphins

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FSM Essential Recap: Week 3 – Raiders vs Dolphins

The Raiders know how to raise the stakes when playing at home, as they improve to 3-0 on the season with two overtime wins at Allegiant Stadium to start the season.

The Las Vegas Raiders have improved to 3-0 to start the season for the first time in nineteen years, with yet another thrilling overtime victory over the visiting Miami Dolphins 31-28.

Back to defend their home turf after gaining an impressive victory on the road last week, the Raiders were looking to evade the same slip-up they had last year after starting 2-0 before dropping their next two games. This time, they wanted to show they are a different team with a different focus and energy they can’t wait to display on the field.

It wouldn’t be easy as they were welcoming the Dolphins who were looking for a bounce-back performance after being shut out in a loss last week. These two faced off last season in Las Vegas and the Dolphins won on a last-second field goal. There was extra motivation for this match-up.

If fans were worried that the Raiders would overlook the struggling Dolphins who were starting a backup quarterback (Jacoby Brissett), their concerns were valid as the Dolphins jumped out to a 14-0 lead. The first score was an interception by linebacker Elandon Roberts who returned it for an 85-yard touchdown. The next score for Miami came from running back Malcolm Brown who rumbled his way 24 yards for the score.

Still, in the opening quarter, Silver and Black fans were worried if the Raiders left their fight in Pittsburgh. Were they going to show signs they are all too familiar with when things start looking good for the team before they quickly turn south?

But as stated, this team was out to show they were different.

While this seemed eerily familiar to Raider Nation, this squad was out to show that this wouldn’t be like seasons past. Things started to turn for the Raiders after their punt was downed at the one-yard line. On the punt, a few players from both sides started pushing and shoving, which seemed to light a spark in the Silver and Black. In the next play, Casey Hayward would get a safety after tackling rookie wide receiver Jaylen Waddle in the end zone on a bubble screen pass. This made it 14-2.

The Raiders would turn up the heat on both sides of the ball as the defense got stops and didn’t allow the Dolphins to add more damage to the score. Meanwhile, the offense saw itself moving up the field. Quarterback Derek Carr found fullback Alec Ingold for a one-yard touchdown pass that brought the Raiders within two points at 14-12 going into halftime.

More of the same would happen in the 3rd as Carr would later find wide receiver Hunter Renfrow for a score and running back Peyton Barber would smash his way into the end zone as well.

Just a few minutes into the fourth quarter and the Raiders had gone on a 25 point run and now led 25-14, looking in prime position to win. They had 25 points due to missed extra point field goal by kicker Daniel Carlson.

With the lead in the final quarter, the Raiders looked to run the clock down and seal the win. But the Dolphins showed their grit by not giving up. Miami started to make plays on both sides of the ball that found them putting points on the board.

A field goal plus a touchdown run by Brissett saw the game all tied at 25 at the end of regulation. Now if it wasn’t for the missed extra point, the Raiders would’ve won this game 26-25 this point, but here we were headed to overtime.

In overtime, the Raiders were more aggressive with their play calling, but with their continued troubles on the offensive line and the Dolphins having a fierce pass rush, the team would settle for a field goal on thier opening drive. Now on the defensive side, the Raiders played a solid game for the most part and even got the Dolphins in a 4th down and 20 yards to go. But after a big pass play for a first down, the Fins once again tied the game up with a field goal of their own. Now with both teams scoring, the next point wins the game.

After some big runs by Barber and key throws by Carr, the Raiders worked the clock down to 3 seconds remaining in the game. Carlson came on to hit the game-winning field goal to improve the Raiders record to 3-0 for the first time in nearly two decades. It may not have been the prettiest of games, but it was a showcase of how mentally tough this team is.

The Raiders showed heart after overcoming mistakes and after being down two scores early, to still fight their way back and claw out a victory. No win is easy in the NFL. When you can come from behind, go into overtime and still pull out the win, you take it as a badge of honor.

The best start in a long time is great but there is still a long road ahead for the Raiders to overcome.

While this is one of the best starts in franchise history, The Silver and Black still have a lot to fix on the field. They still have plenty to prove before they can start getting the respect they once demanded from this league.

Carr is playing like an MVP candidate. Maxx Crosby and Yannick Ngakoue continue to lead a revamped defensive front that wreaks havoc on opposing teams. The offensive line, while a patchwork at the moment, continues to show promise and growth week by week. This team has proven it can score with anyone and now that they are doing fairly better on the defensive side. This is a squad that can bring pride and honor back to a historic franchise, whose fan base has waited a long time for the glory days to return.

Next week the Raiders are on Monday Night Football again. This time it’s a road game against division rival the Los Angeles Chargers.

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-Kalani Lua – Franchise Sports Media

Follow Kalani on Twitter @klua11

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