Defense Saves the Day Against Raiders

Tyreek Hill did his thing again when the Miami Dolphins returned to action Sunday, but it was the Jalen Ramsey and the defense that saved the day.

The Dolphins dominated the Las Vegas Raiders statistically but let the Raiders hang around, but the defense kept coming up big and the result was a 20-13 victory that moved their record to 7-3 on the season.

Jalen Ramsey sealed the victory with his second interception when he picked off rookie Aidan O'Connell in the end zone on a deep shot from the Miami 39-yard line in the final minute.

The defense earlier had stopped two fourth-down plays in the fourth quarter, the second on a Jaelan Phillips interception to preserve the victory. The first fourth-down stop came when Ramsey provided blanket coverage against Jakobi Meyers and he wound up being closer to the ball on an interception.

Phillips shared starring honors with Ramsey as he finished with two sacks to go along with his interception.

For the offense, Hill finished with 146 yards on 10 catches for his sixth 100-yard performance of the season, and scored the Dolphins' first touchdown on a 38-yard reception in the first quarter.

Tua Tagovailoa finished with 325 passing yards and two touchdowns, the other an 11-yarder to Salvon Ahmed that gave Miami a 14-10 lead in the second quarter.

The Dolphins offense sputtered in the second half, however, managing only two Jason Sanders field goals, from 41 and 51 yards. Sanders earlier missed a 50-yard attempt. 

The game marked the much-anticipation return to the lineup of rookie running back De'Von Achane, but his return lasted all but four offensive plays.

After gaining 4 yards on a forward handoff from Tua, Achane called to the sideline and limped as he jogged off the field. While the Dolphins said his return was questionable, he never came back into the game.

Raheem Mostert managed to rush for 86 yards, but it took him 22 carries to do it. As a team, the Dolphins finished with 99 yards on 28 attempts.

BAD START FOR DOLPHINS OFFENSE

The Dolphins had to come from behind twice in the game, starting after the Raiders got a field goal following a Tua fumble at the end of a scramble on Miami's first drive.

After Hill's touchdown gave Miami a 7-3 lead, the Raiders came back with the best drive of the game, which ended with a 46-yard touchdown pass from O'Connell to star wide receiver Davante Adams after safety DeShon Elliott fell while in deep coverage.

After the Dolphins were turned back on a fourth-and-1 from the Las Vegas 3 and Hill had to leave the game with a hand injury, Tua led perhaps the most impressive drive of the game without Hill when he completed three passes to Jaylen Waddle as part of a 63-yard march.

The drive ended with the touchdown pass to Ahmed that gave the Dolphins a 14-10 lead they never relinquished.

The Raiders closed the gap to 14-13 right before the end of the first half following another fumble, that one by rookie tight end Julian Hill.

There would only be six points scored in the second half, as Ramsey, Phillips and the Dolphins defense stole the show.