FSM Essential Recap: Preseason Game 3 - Raiders vs Dolphins

 

FSM Essential Recap: Preseason Game 3 – Raiders vs Dolphins

Franchise Sports Media

Las Vegas Raiders (3-0) | Miami Dolphins (1-1)

 

The Las Vegas Raiders held on to beat the Miami Dolphins 15-13 in Miami. Josh McDaniels remains undefeated as the Raiders’ head coach.

 

In their first actual away contest of the year, Raider Nation embarked on South Beach for exhibition game No. 3. Thus far in the preseason, we have seen an aggressive ground attack against Jacksonville followed by a disciplined effort versus Minnesota, both of which have resulted in victories for the Silver & Black.

In the older preseason format (where everyone played four games), the third exhibition was typically regarded as the closest thing to regular season action: The dress rehearsal, if you will. With that number reduced to three games for everyone not in the Hall of Fame game, it can be unpredictable to judge when or if starters will play. For Miami, however, I anticipate we may see a series or two out of their fast, new-look offense led by Tua Tagovailoa.

On the Raiders’ end, they are coming off a week where speedy wideout Demarcus Robinson was surprisingly released. It would not be unwise to attribute the move to D.J. Turner’s stellar performance last Sunday night against the Vikings. I’ve echoed it relentlessly this offseason; The WR corps is deep.

For a comprehensive quarter-by-quarter recap and analysis of Saturday evening’s game in Miami, continue reading! Remember, these preseason games are loaded with non-starters; See the current 2022 depth chart and positional breakdowns!

 

1st Quarter

 

Breaking out the road-white jerseys, the Raiders’ opening period was relatively quiet. Piggybacking off last week, the team was able to put points on the board on their first drive. In line with the other two preseason contests, Jarrett Stidham started at quarterback for Las Vegas and again displayed a confident handle of HC Josh McDaniels’ offense. On the first play from scrimmage, Stidham found receiver Ty Johnson down the left sideline for a 16-yard gain. From there, the Raiders would get methodical, taking 11 more plays and nearly six minutes of game time before scoring. WR Keelan Cole had a tremendous catch in the red zone to move the sticks on third down before rookie running back Zamir White punched in a 2-yard touchdown; Right off the bat, Vegas was up 7-0.

Tua Tagovailoa checked in briefly to start the game for Miami, although he did not make any extraordinary or noteworthy plays. His first drive would only last six plays before punting back to the Raiders, who would quickly return the favor. On the Dolphins’ second drive, one that would exhaust the opening period, Tagovailoa looked much more comfortable, hitting Edmonds and Gesicki on positive plays.

2nd Quarter

 

The second quarter began with the Dolphins on the cusp of Vegas’ red zone. After being forced into a fourth-and-1 deep in Raiders’ territory, Miami was lined up in a heavy formation with all intents of rushing for a conversion before tackle Larnel Coleman jumped too early. After incurring Coleman’s false start penalty, the Dolphins would safely take the points as Sanders kicked through a 46-yard field goal; 7-3 Raiders.

No. 3 quarterback Nick Mullens would then march out for the Silver & Black but stalled shortly after picking up a first down via Keelan Cole. After punting the ball back to Miami, the Raiders‘ defense would then force new QB Teddy Bridgewater (on his second snap of the game) into an end zone penalty for a safety; Backed up against their own goal line, Bridgewater dropped back for a PA pass and was met by a steaming Curtis Bolton immediately after carrying out the play fake. Bolton had Bridgewater nearly to the ground before Bridgewater flipped the ball away, resulting in intentional grounding in the end zone: 9-3, and the Raiders now have their first safety of 2022.

Las Vegas followed up the safety with a three-and-out, punting it right back to Miami. From there, Bridgewater got in a rhythm, going 40 yards in nine plays. However, the Raiders’ defense did well to keep everything in front, not giving up any momentum plays; They rallied, with Abram making an excellent play on Gesicki to incidentally send out the FG team for a lengthy attempt. This time from 57 yards out, Sanders converted the kick; 9-6 Raiders with three minutes left in the first half.

After another three-and-out from the Raiders, the Silver & Black defense did well to force Miami into a turnover, thwarting a scoring effort right before halftime. Initially ruled an incomplete pass, DB Sam Webb made a finely timed play on Dolphins RB Myles Gaskin. After an official review, it was overturned as the tape showed true possession from Gaskin, with Webb both stripping and recovering the football. That would conclude the opening half’s action, with the Raiders taking the lead and momentum into the locker room, 9-6. 

3rd Quarter

 

This was one of those rare games where the second half is a tad slower than the first. The third quarter began with a rapid three-and-out from Miami before rookie-QB Chase Garbers made his appearance. Under Garbers, the Raiders proceeded to go on an 11-play, nearly-seven-minute drive that resulted in points (although the possession only netted 34 yards). Thanks to Brittain Brown’s violent running style, the offense landed comfortably in scoring position. From the outside of the red zone, Carlson easily kicked through the 37-yard field goal, allowing Las Vegas to double-up Miami by a score of 12-6.

Bridgewater came back out for the Dolphins and drove deep into Raiders territory. However, after facing a fourth-and-7 from the LV 20-yard line, Bridgewater would take another sack, giving the ball right back to the Raiders rather than taking the three points (makes you scratch your head when you consider the final score).

Garbers and the offense came back out and picked up a first down via a nice ball deep left to tight end Jesper Horstead but was forced into a punt on the next set of downs. 

 

4th Quarter

 

In the final period, the Dolphins would finally respond, finding the end zone after a nine-play, 86-yard touchdown drive orchestrated by rookie QB from K-State, Skylar Thompson. From the edge of the red zone, Thompson found running back ZaQuandre White in the left flat, who proceeded to take the rock 19-yards into the end zone; Miami took their first lead of the game, and the Raiders had their first deficit of the preseason, down by the rare score of 13-12.

On the Raiders’ following offensive possession, Garbers delivered just what the doctor ordered, running up the middle for a 27-yard gain into the Dolphins’ territory on the drive’s first play. From there, Brittan Brown got back to his ground & pound style, moving the ball into the red zone. The Raiders would make it down to the MIA 4-yard line before suffering a 9-yard sack on third down. From there, Carlson reclaimed the lead for Vegas, converting a chip shot 31-yard field goal: Raiders back ahead 15-13.

Well, the entirety of the game was essentially decided on the Dolphins‘ next and final possession. Rookie Thompson got right back into the flow of things as he marched the offense 47 yards in only six plays. Stalling well into Raiders territory, Sanders trotted out for a potential game-winning kick from 46 yards out. Having already converted on a 57-yard try in the first half, this fourth-quarter kick seemed like it would be easy work for Sanders. But with 1:37 left in regulation, Sanders pulled the kick left, doinking it off the upright: field goal is NO GOOD!

From there, Las Vegas was able to suffocate the remaining clock, sealing the deal after a long first-down run from Brown. Two Garbers’ kneel-downs later, the Raiders stay undefeated in preseason, winning narrowly in Miami by a score of 15-13.

 

Takeaways

 

More and more, it is looking like the Raiders currently have four pro-level quarterbacks. Las Vegas has a great one in Derek Carr, but Stidham (7 of 10 for 80 yards on Saturday), Mullens (6 of 9 for 39 yards), and Garbers (6 of 9 for 54 yards) have all proven productive in their playing time. Stidham displays comfort and confidence in his decision-making, while Mullens plays the game with conviction. The rookie-Garbers has also appeared poised in these three preseason games, showing dual-threat ability when necessary. Even on the practice squad, Garbers is in a great position to learn in a talented, knowledgeable QB room.

(Note: Nick Mullens was traded to the Minnesota Vikings for the conditional 7th-round pick on Monday morning)

RB Brittain Brown is a certified bruiser. He led all rushers on Saturday, churning out 70 yards on just nine carries. He has the great NFL trait of getting downhill in a hurry. I expect a successful year, especially near the goal line, for Mr. Brown.

At 6’0”, 200+ lbs, CB Sam Webb is a menace. A rookie out of Missouri West, he has both the skills and size to have a long career playing on Sundays. In the win over Miami, Webb did well to collect six total tackles, forcing and recovering a fumble along the way. I like him to step up for the ailing Trayvon Mullen.

 

The Raiders will be back home at The Death Star for their final exhibition game of the year. This time, it’s against the New England Patriots on Friday, Aug. 26th. The kickoff is scheduled for 5:15 pm and can be seen locally on Fox 5.

Raiders vs Dolphins               Raiders vs Dolphins               Raiders vs Dolphins               Raiders vs Dolphins               Raiders vs Dolphins               Raiders vs Dolphins               Raiders vs Dolphins               Raiders vs Dolphins               Raiders vs Dolphins               Raiders vs Dolphins               Raiders vs Dolphins               Raiders vs Dolphins               Raiders vs Dolphins               Raiders vs Dolphins               Raiders vs Dolphins               Raiders vs Dolphins                                     

-Gabe Santiago – Franchise Sports Media

Twitter

Instagram

Facebook

YouTube