Brock Bowers hauled in 13 receptions for 124 yards and a touchdown on Sunday, but it wasn’t enough for the Raiders to overcome an otherwise uninspiring performance as they fell to the Dolphins 34-19 in Miami.
The Raiders woes in the run game continued despite the appointment of Scott Turner as offensive coordinator during the bye-week. Their leading rusher on Sunday was WR Jakobi Meyers, who took an end-around for a 20-yard rush on his only carry of the game. Alexander trailed just behind with 19 yards on five carries.
Dolphins tight end Jonnu Smith caught two touchdowns of his own, including a 57-yard reception with 3:19 remaining that effectively served as the dagger. The Raiders somehow found themselves within striking distance at that point, down just 24-19 with four minutes remaining after a 10-yard touchdown reception from Ameer Abdullah. With Miami facing a 2nd-and-11, the Raiders busted their coverage and let a wide-open Smith go untouched into the end zone ending all hopes of a potential comeback.
Gardner Minshew completed 30-of-43 pass attempts, throwing two touchdowns and one interception. The interception was among the worst in a season that’s become a tragedy of errors, as miscommunication between Minshew and Meyers on the route led to corner Jalen Ramsey essentially getting a lob directly into his hands with no one else near him. Fortunately (or not) for the Raiders, it occurred in garbage time after their horrific blown coverage already put the game in the metaphorical bag.
Tyreek Hill caught an eight-yard touchdown pass from Tua Tagovailoa with 4:13 remaining in the third quarter, scoring in consecutive games for the first time this season to put the Dolphins up 17-6 after the extra point. The Raiders answered on their ensuing possession, as Minshew found Bowers for the touchdown with 1:21 remaining in the third to trim the Dolphins lead to 17-12 entering the fourth.
The Dolphins answered Bowers’ score with a 10-play, 60 yard touchdown drive that extended into the fourth quarter. Abdullah’s touchdown reception capped off the Raiders own 10-play, six-plus minute drive in response, but it was all for naught.