Raiders at Dolphins: Fourth quarter collapse keeps Raiders winless

The Oakland Raiders traveled to take on the Miami Dolphins and their fourth quarter woes once again kept them and Jon Gruden winless on the season.

Wearing their signature black uniforms in the humid weather, the Oakland Raiders wasted no time marching down the field to score on their first drive for the third straight game. Derek Carr kicked the offense into gear with a 60 yard pass to Jordy Nelson that placed them into red-zone territory, and Carr rewarded Nelson with a touchdown pass to cap off the drive for a 7-0 lead over the Miami Dolphins. Though they failed to pile on the lead on a fourth and goal and a bad miscommunication between Carr and Amari Cooper that led to a pick, Oakland was lucky to end the first quarter with the lead on Miami.

Early into the second quarter and facing terrible field position close to their own end-zone, Oakland could not manage to move the ball, being forced to punt away. Despite putting the pressure on Ryan Tannehill, a questionable roughing the passer call set up a 34 yard pass from Tannehill to Kenny Stills that tied the game even at 7-7.

Despite building a strong drive towards the end zone, a false start penalty at third and goal forced the Raiders to settle for a field goal, increasing the lead to 10-7 which in reality was a victory for Miami. The Tannehill to Stills connection carved up the Oakland defense in the closing minutes, but the Raiders put the pressure on Tannehill to sack and knock Miami out of field goal range to close the half with a three-point lead.

With Miami receiving the kick off to start the second half, the Raiders defense got off to a perfect start with forcing the Dolphins to a three and out. Marshawn Lynch channeled beast mode to carry the Raiders offense down the field and helped convert key third downs as the Silver and Black found themselves deep into Miami territory. After a potential Jared Cook touchdown was called back, Lynch finished the job and leaped into the end zone for a much-needed seven points.

With less than four to play in the third quarter, Devante Parker’s huge catch for 41 yards put the Oakland defense on their heels and placed Miami into Raiders territory. From there Jakeem Grant caught a 19 yard receiving touchdown to cut Oakland’s lead to just three to end the quarter.

Like each of the previous two weeks, the fourth quarter performance of the Raiders would decide the game. Miami pulled out some trickery from their playbook to catch Oakland off-guard and take their first lead of the game on a 52 yard touchdown pass to Jakeem Grant. Primed to take the lead, Derek Carr threw a pick in the end zone and Miami pull the nail in the coffin, following up with a 74 yard touchdown pass to Albert Wilson. Oakland would manage to get a field goal, but end up with another embarrassing fourth quarter collapse to remain winless on the season.

Final Score: Raiders 20 Dolphins 28

Highlights

On the opening drive Carr hit Nelson for a 60 yard bomb and rewarded him with his first touchdown catch for the Silver and Black.

Kenny Stills blows by the Oakland defense to catch a dime from Tannehill and tie the game at a touchdown a piece.

It was all beast mode in the third quarter as Marshawn Lynch goes up and over the defense for six points.

And in just a matter of minutes, Miami marches into Raiders territory to cut the lead to three with Jakeem Grant’s 19 yard touchdown reception.

Miami goes deep into the playbook to take their first lead of the game off a Jakeem Grant touchdown.

https://twitter.com/MiamiDolphins/status/1043952446475649024

In position to take the lead, Miami comes up with the stop and picks off Derek Carr for the second time today in the end zone.

Capping off another fourth quarter collapse for Oakland, the Dolphins put the nail in the coffin with a 74 yard touchdown to Albert Wilson.

Three Stars

1. Jordy Nelson

Week 3 against Miami was Jordy Nelson’s breakout game wearing the Silver and Black. Nelson owned the first quarter and ended up with 173 receiving yards on five targets, and grabbing a touchdown by the end of the game. The Carr to Nelson connection showed up in Miami and they’ll need it again next week at home in Oakland.

2. Jakeem Grant

With their rushing game stifled all game, Miami looked went to the air and used trickery to prevent Oakland from getting their first win. With two receptions on two targets Jakeem Grant ended up with 70 yards and two touchdowns on the day.

3. Dolphins Fourth Quarter Performance

Once again the fourth quarter issues reared its ugly head in the face of the Raiders and Miami took advantage. Down 3 to start the quarter, the Dolphins not only picked off Derek Carr in the end zone but effectively put the game away with a 74 yard touchdown pass to Albert Wilson.

Next Week

The Raiders head back home winless to welcome first overall pick Baker Mayfield as he makes his first regular season start for the Cleveland Browns. The 3-0 Miami Dolphins will hit the road for an AFC East divisional matchup against Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.