This week the Raiders head East to Miami to take on the 3-8 Dolphins. The Raiders are coming off a victory at home against the Bears while the Dolphins are coming off a 1 point loss to the Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day. Let's take a look at the match-ups and predict a winner.
Raiders Offense vs. Dolphins Defense
The Raiders are still not completely healthy at the skill positions. Darren McFadden is still out as is Jacoby Ford and Denarius Moore. They still have talent and depth at those positions and should not see much of a drop-off with Bush running the ball and Chaz Schilens and Louis Murphy catching the ball. They should continue to get Marcel Reece the ball in the passing game as he is a match-up nightmare for every team in the league. The Dolphins have a good rush defense and can rush the passer with Cameron Wake and Jake Long. The Raiders will look to establish the run early.
Advantage: Raiders
Raiders Defense vs. Dolphins Offense
The Raiders are more healthy on this side of the ball but still may be without Rolando McClain and Richard Seymour is banged up but should go. The Dolphins are terrible in the red zone as the have converted only 7 trips out of 38 into TDs. They have a young QB in Matt Moore and have struggled to run the ball consistently all year. The Raiders know that this is a team that they shouldn't take lightly as they had a 3 game winning streak earlier in the year and are always in every game.
Advantage: Raiders
Special Teams
The Raiders Special Teams were special again last week with Janikowski kicking a record 6 field goals and Lechler booming a record 80 yard punt. This will go down as the best kicking tandem to ever play in the NFL when it's all said and done. The Dolphins have a good kicker in Dan Carpenter and a very good returner in Reggie Bush.
Advantage: Raiders
Prediction: Raiders 20, Dolphins 17
Record to date: 6-4
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