The Dolphins play at home in the friendly confines of Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, where the Dolphins are at their best. In 4 games, the Dolphins have scored 174 points good for an absurd average of 43.5 points per game. The defense has thrived here as well, allowing 74 points in 4 games for an average of 18.5 points per game. We score 11 more points per game and allow about 6.5 points per game less. We’re better at home, of this there is no doubt. I’d love to fancy our team as a team that can win anywhere, but right now, we’re a much better team at home. This just signified the importance of not only winning the division, but having a good enough conference record to have home field is as many games as possible.

The Raiders are an up and down team, but mostly they’re a team that has struggled offensively. The Raiders decided Jimmy Garoppolo was their QB, and Garropolo who we all know can’t play a full season is OUT and their rookie 2023 4th RD draft pick Aidan O’Connell has a 2-1 record in Jimmy G’s stead. In total, the Raiders have scored 17.2 points per game, or close to half of what we have scored this season. The Raiders defense has been decent, allowing only 20.5 points per game, 4.5 points less than our Dolphins defense. There are two huge difference makers for both teams entering this game though. The Raiders have finally figured out they need to lean on their best offensive weapon, RB Josh Jacobs, while the Dolphins come in about healthier than we have been all season, and more complete.

In the last 2 games for the Raiders, RB Josh Jacobs has been a workhouse, helping the team to two consecutive victories over NY teams, first the Giants, in which Jacobs had a season high 26 carries for 98 yards, and then against the Jets with a new season high 27 carries for 116 yards. For the Dolphins, we’re getting back our secondary, and possibly for the first time all season, we’ll have a healthy CB tandem of Xavien Howard and Jalen Ramsey. In addition, we’ll have a healthy Safety tandem of Jevon Holland and DeShon Elliott. Our pass rush has come on lately, and a healthy Jaelan Phillips and a resurgence from OLB Bradley Chubb has got this defense playing better. Andrew Van Ginkel has taken on more of a secondary role, but still a big part of the defensive rotation. This is the defense we’d hoped for, now they have to stay healthy and shut teams down. This week, objective #1 is to limit Josh Jacobs. The Raiders don’t want to put the game on QB Aidan O’Connell’s shoulders, so if we shut down Jacobs, it could be a long day for the raiders offense who don’t do well when Jacobs isn’t getting lots of carries and thriving.

This week could be the return of a big offensive weapon for the Dolphins, RB De’Von Achane. There are differing reports everywhere, but there is a good chance Achane returns from a knee injury suffered against the NY Giants October 8th. Raheem Mostert has logged 2 consecutive limited practices but almost certainly will play Sunday. Of more concern is RG Robert Hunt, who looks to miss this game with a hamstring injury. Terron Armstead who played last week will start at LT with Liam Eichenberg at LG, Connor Williams at C, Lester Cotton at RG and Austin Jackson at RT. Not ideal, and Maxx Crosby is feasting this year with 59 total tackles (35 solo), 9 sacks, 13 TFL, 15 QB hits, 1 FF and 1 FR. Austin Jackson and Lester Cotton and our TE’s are going to have keep Crosby in check and away from our QB Tua Tagovailoa, who gets rid of the ball ultra quick anyway. If we have both RB’s this week, keep in mind how they’ve thrived splitting carries. Against the Broncos, they had an amazing day, Achane with 203 yards on 18 carries and 2 TD’s, while Mostert had 82 yards on 13 carries and 3 TD’s. Achane had over 100 yards against the Bills but Mostert was stopped dead. Against the Giants, Achane exploded for 151 yards on 11 carries while Mostert had 65 yards on 10 carries. both scoring a TD each.

The defense needs to continue to make strides and become one of the leagues best units. This is the lineup we’ve waited to watch, now they have to realize their potential. It seems likely PR/KR Braxton Berrios won’t be playing which returns return duties back to Cedric Wilson. We do, however, get a boost with the return of WR River Cracraft. Cracraft and Ced Wilson will probably take slot duties if Berrios can’t go. One more concern on offense is the health of TE Durham Smythe who is dealing with an ankle injury, but did manage to get a limited practice session in on Thursday, and will most likely suit up. The Dolphins are ranked #10 against the run and have 29 sacks, good for 9th in the NFL in sacks. With the secondary healthy, and all our pass rushers healthy, I expect the sack numbers to go up and for this defense to start forcing more turnovers. Kader Kohou moving back to the slot where he really thrives, will share time with Nik Needham who is getting healthy as well. If and when rookie CB Cam Smith ever makes his presence felt remains to be seen, but even without Smith, this is the defense we want out there.

GO DOLPHINS!!!