Oakland Raiders: 5 keys to victory vs. Miami Dolphins
By John Buhler
![ORCHARD PARK, NY - OCTOBER 29: DeAndre Washington No. 33 of the Oakland Raiders runs the ball as Kyle Williams No. 95 of the Buffalo Bills attempts to tackle him during the third quarter of an NFL game on October 29, 2017 at New Era Field in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) ORCHARD PARK, NY - OCTOBER 29: DeAndre Washington No. 33 of the Oakland Raiders runs the ball as Kyle Williams No. 95 of the Buffalo Bills attempts to tackle him during the third quarter of an NFL game on October 29, 2017 at New Era Field in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fjustblogbaby-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2017-2F10-2F867901706-oakland-raiders-v-buffalo-bills-jpg-850x560-37073c5e1081f0832d932fb7517a1ce28a7cb209abc75f2c968173678e0dc3da.jpg)
It would be a great week for the team’s first interception
It’s time. The Raiders need to get their first interception of the season to win this ball game on the road versus the Dolphins. Oakland has played half the season and still has not picked the ball off once. It was a key part to their success on defense last year. Obviously, it hasn’t been there this season.
While the Raiders do have strengths defensively in the pass rush and to some degree in run defense, stopping the pass has been a season-long problem for the Silver and Black. At times, the Raiders will play with poise on third-down defense in defending the pass. However in non-obvious passing situations, the Raiders struggle to keep the opposing offense in front of them.
Miami will throw picks. Whether it is gunslinger Jay Cutler or seasoned backup Matt Moore under center, Miami will have an errant throw or two in this ball game. It will be up to the Raiders’ secondary to exploit those poorly thrown footballs.
With edge players Bruce Irvin and Khalil Mack having fair to favorable matchups on Sunday, that should help the Raiders generate enough pressure to give the secondary a chance at an interception. The team needs to win the turnover margin on Sunday. Getting its first pick would be a fantastic moment in this game for sure for the Raiders.