The Las Vegas Raiders vs Miami Dolphins game on November 17, 2024, was full of energy, big plays, and surprises. It wasn’t just about the final score — it was about how each team played, who stood out, and what moments made the biggest difference.
In this article, we’ll break everything down in a simple and friendly way. You’ll see all the important stats, top players, and key moments that shaped this exciting matchup. Whether you watched the game or missed it, this guide will help you understand everything clearly.
Quick Look: Raiders vs Dolphins Game Summary
The Dolphins won the game with a score of 34–19. At first, both teams looked ready to compete, but as the game went on, the Dolphins took full control. Their offense was calm, smart, and full of rhythm. The Raiders, on the other hand, had trouble finishing drives.
Here are some quick team stats to understand how the game went:
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Total Yards: Raiders 328 | Dolphins 353
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Passing Yards: Raiders 268 | Dolphins 271
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Rushing Yards: Raiders 60 | Dolphins 82
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First Downs: Raiders 22 | Dolphins 25
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Turnovers: Raiders 1 | Dolphins 0
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Time of Possession: Raiders 26:48 | Dolphins 33:12
The numbers show that the teams were close in yardage. But the Dolphins made fewer mistakes, controlled the clock, and scored more when it mattered. That’s what helped them take home the win.
Game-Changing Moments That Shaped the Match
Every game has a few moments that change everything — and this one had three big ones.
First, in the fourth quarter, Dolphins tight end Jonnu Smith caught a wide-open 57-yard touchdown. The Raiders’ defense completely lost track of him, and he ran all the way without being touched. That gave Miami a big lead and broke the game open.
Then, just three plays later, Gardner Minshew, the Raiders’ quarterback, made a risky throw. Jalen Ramsey, Miami’s star cornerback, jumped in front of the pass and intercepted it. That ended any chance the Raiders had to come back.
Earlier in the game, the Raiders had a great chance to score with the ball at the Dolphins’ 3-yard line. But Miami’s defense held strong and forced them to kick a field goal instead of scoring a touchdown. That stop saved 4 points and gave Miami even more control.
Top Player Stats: Las Vegas Raiders vs Miami Dolphins
Here’s a quick list of the players who really stood out in this game:
Miami Dolphins
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Tua Tagovailoa (QB): 28/36, 288 yards, 3 TDs, 0 INT
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Jonnu Smith (TE): 6 catches, 101 yards, 2 TDs
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Tyreek Hill (WR): 7 catches, 61 yards, 1 TD
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De’Von Achane (RB): 17 carries, 73 yards, 1 TD
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Jordyn Brooks (LB): 13 tackles, big goal-line stops
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Jalen Ramsey (CB): 1 INT, 2 pass deflections
Las Vegas Raiders
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Gardner Minshew (QB): 30/43, 282 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
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Brock Bowers (TE): 13 catches, 126 yards, 1 TD – NFL rookie TE record
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Robert Spillane (LB): 11 tackles
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Jakobi Meyers (WR): 4 catches, 28 yards and 1 rush for 20 yards
These players made big plays and tried to lead their teams. Some, like Bowers and Smith, broke records or changed the game with just one moment.
Quarterback Battle: Tua Tagovailoa vs Gardner Minshew
This game gave us a clear look at two very different quarterback styles.
Tua Tagovailoa was smooth, fast, and very careful with the football. He completed nearly 78% of his passes, throwing 3 touchdowns and no interceptions. Even when under pressure, he stayed calm. One great example was his 24-yard pass to Jaylen Waddle while rolling left — a tough throw that kept a scoring drive alive.
Tua also finished the game with a 127.8 passer rating, much higher than his season average. His quick passes and smart reads kept the Dolphins moving all night.
Gardner Minshew, the Raiders QB, had decent numbers too — 30 completions for 282 yards and 2 touchdowns. But he made one costly mistake in the fourth quarter: that interception to Ramsey. That single error ended the Raiders’ chance to win. Minshew also didn’t get help from the running game, which made him throw more and take more risks.
Brock Bowers Breaks NFL Rookie Record
If there’s one bright spot for the Raiders, it’s rookie tight end Brock Bowers.
He caught 13 passes for 126 yards and a touchdown, setting a new NFL rookie tight end record for most receptions in a game. The previous record was 12, and Bowers broke it in style.
Almost half of the Raiders’ passing yards came from him. That shows how important he already is to their offense. His touchdown came from a 23-yard swing pass where he dodged a tackle and sprinted into the end zone.
Bowers now has 70 catches in just 10 games, which puts him on pace for 119 receptions this season. That would smash the old rookie tight end record of 56 by Mike Ditka (from 1961).
Jonnu Smith and Dolphins’ Receiving Attack
Jonnu Smith had the best game of his season — and maybe his career. He caught 6 passes for 101 yards and 2 touchdowns. His first score came on a 1-yard catch in the first quarter. But it was his 57-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter that really crushed the Raiders’ hopes.
Smith wasn’t the only weapon. Tyreek Hill had a quiet but steady day — 7 catches for 61 yards and 1 touchdown. He didn’t explode for 100+ yards like usual, but his presence opened space for other players.
Jaylen Waddle only caught 2 passes, but one of them was a 24-yard gain that helped keep a drive alive. The Dolphins spread the ball well, using 7 different receivers, which kept the Raiders’ defense guessing.
Rushing Game Stats: Struggles and Standouts
The running game was very different for both teams in this match.
The Dolphins, led by De’Von Achane, ran the ball well. Achane had 17 carries for 73 yards and 1 touchdown. He also added 4 catches for 32 yards, showing he could help in the passing game too. His best run was a 30-yard burst where he found a cutback lane and flew past defenders. That big run helped set up another touchdown for Miami.
The Raiders, on the other hand, struggled badly. They finished with only 60 rushing yards as a team. That’s not enough in today’s NFL. Their longest run came from Jakobi Meyers, a wide receiver, who had a 20-yard sweep. Their main running backs, Alexander Mattison and Zamir White, combined for just 28 yards on 10 carries. Without a good run game, Minshew was forced to throw more — and that made the Raiders predictable.
Las Vegas Raiders vs Miami Dolphins Defense Leaders
Defense was a big part of this game, especially for Miami.
Jordyn Brooks was the top tackler with 13 total tackles. He was everywhere — especially during a key goal-line stand where the Dolphins stopped the Raiders from scoring a touchdown. On three straight plays, Brooks helped stuff the run and forced a field goal. That stop saved 4 points and gave Miami a strong early boost.
Jalen Ramsey had a big game too. His fourth-quarter interception ended any chance of a Raiders comeback. He also had 2 pass breakups and 5 solo tackles. Ramsey showed why he’s still one of the best cornerbacks in the league.
For the Raiders, Robert Spillane led with 11 tackles, but he was also part of the blown coverage on Jonnu Smith’s 57-yard TD. Maxx Crosby, usually a defensive star, had a quiet day with no sacks. The Dolphins’ O-line did a great job keeping him in check.
Red Zone Stats: The Real Difference in the Match
One of the biggest reasons the Dolphins won this game was simple — they finished their drives.
Miami scored 3 touchdowns on 4 trips to the red zone, a 75% success rate. The league average is around 58%, so this was clearly above average. On the other side, the Raiders went to the red zone 3 times but only scored 1 touchdown. That’s just 33%, far below what a team needs to win.
Think about it this way — the Raiders moved the ball well, but when they got close to the goal line, they couldn’t finish. They had to settle for field goals. That’s 8 points left on the field, which made a huge difference.
Time of Possession & Discipline Stats
Time of possession tells us how long each team had the ball. In this game, the Dolphins held the ball for 33 minutes, while the Raiders had it for just under 27 minutes.
Why does this matter? Because the longer you have the ball, the more chances you have to score — and the more tired the other team’s defense becomes. Miami used this time wisely. They had long, steady drives that kept the Raiders off the field.
The Dolphins also played clean football. They had just 4 penalties for 23 yards. The Raiders, on the other hand, were flagged 7 times for 49 yards. One of those penalties even canceled out a long gain. These small mistakes added up and hurt Las Vegas badly.
What Worked for the Dolphins in This Game
The Miami Dolphins played smart and clean football. That was the key.
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No turnovers at all. Tua made good decisions and kept the ball safe.
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Balanced attack. They passed well, ran well, and stayed in control.
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Red zone success. They scored when it mattered most.
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Strong defense. They stopped the Raiders when it counted.
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Clock control. They used time wisely and didn’t rush.
This kind of play doesn’t always look flashy, but it’s how you win games. And for the Dolphins, it worked perfectly.
What Went Wrong for the Raiders
The Raiders had a few good moments, but too many things didn’t go their way.
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No run game. Only 60 rushing yards meant the offense had no balance.
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One big turnover. Minshew’s late interception changed the game.
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Red zone struggles. They couldn’t finish drives and left points behind.
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Defensive mistakes. Blown coverage and lack of pressure hurt them.
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Too predictable. With no run game, they became easy to read.
Even with Bowers playing great, the Raiders needed more from the rest of the team.
What This Game Means for Both Teams
This win gave Miami a boost in playoff hopes. At 4–6, they still have work to do, but back-to-back wins show they’re heading in the right direction. If they keep playing mistake-free football, they have a real chance to turn the season around.
For the Raiders, the loss dropped them to 2–8. They’re likely out of playoff talks but can use the rest of the season to build around young stars like Bowers. With a top draft pick coming, they might find their next franchise quarterback or a strong offensive lineman to help.
Bottom-Line
This game showed the difference between a team that finishes drives and one that doesn’t. The Dolphins played clean, smart, and balanced football. Their zero turnovers, strong defense, and red zone scoring helped them win comfortably.
The Raiders had some bright spots, especially Brock Bowers, who made NFL history. But without a strong run game or red zone success, it was hard to keep up.
If you’re looking at the Las Vegas Raiders vs Miami Dolphins match player stats, this game was full of lessons. It was about more than just yards — it was about when and how teams made the most of their chances.
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