Dolphins rout Raiders in London 38-14

Dolphins rout Raiders in London 38-14

Dolphins RB Lamar Miller picked up some big gains on the ground finishing the game with two rushing touchdowns in Miami’s victory over the Raiders.  (Internet Photo)

By Dedrick D. Henry, Sr.

The Miami Dolphins ran in five touchdowns to thrash the Oakland Raiders 38-14 in front of over 83,000 fans at Wembley on Sunday. Miami quarterback Ryan Tannehill completed 23 of his 31 passes for 278 yards and two touchdowns while running back Lamar Miller added two more in a crushing victory. Cornerback Cortland Finnegan also went in for a touchdown as Miami ended their run of two straight defeats and recorded their first win since they beat New England in week one.

The Raiders offense came into the game ranked last in the league with just 37 points in their three games. Receiving the ball from the kick-off, Oakland marched all the way down the field to score a touchdown on the opening drive. The very first play of the game Raiders quarterback Derek Carr hit wide receiver James Jones for a 30-yard gain. Oakland maintained that momentum and, on the 10th play of the 74-yard drive, Carr found tight end Brian Leonhardt in the end zone with a three-yard pass for a touchdown.

The Dolphins’ offense immediately answered with a score of their own as Caleb Sturgis kicked a 41-yard field goal. Lamar Miller’s 21-yard run moved Miami into Oakland territory and Sturgis came out to kick the field goal after an eight-play, 47-yard drive. Dolphins quarterback Tannehill began to find his range, and he hit Mike Wallace with a 13-yard touchdown pass at the beginning of the second quarter as the Dolphins took a 10-7 lead. Tannehill delivered accurate passes to a host of Dolphins’ receivers.

His pass to Wallace at the end of an eight-play, 91-yard drive was his ninth completion in his first 11 throws for 112 yards. Oakland struggled to move the ball and Miami got the ball back very quickly when Carr was sacked outside the Raiders end zone, forcing them to punt.

The Oakland defense had no answer s to stop Miami, and the Dolphins extended their lead to 10 points as they marched down the field once again for another touchdown. Miller continued to lead Miami’s rushing game.

The Raiders were forced into yet another quick punt on their next drive. Even when Jarvis Landry fumbled the punt return for Miami to hand Oakland possession just short of mid-field, the Raiders’ offense still did not capitalize and were forc-ed to punt again. But Miami had no problems and Tannehill threw his second touchdown pass of the night just before half-time as he found Dion Sims with an 18-yard reception. Despite starting at their own 10-yard line, the Dolphins marched 90 yards in just nine to extend their lead to 24-7 at the half.

It was a good first half for the

Dolphins and Tannehill who had 17 completions of his 19 passes for 204 yards and two touchdowns. Oakland, meanwhile, picked up just one first down in a mediocre second quarter.  It looked like more of the same as Miller picked up some big gains on the ground to take Miami into the red zone once again. But Oakland was given a second chance when Miller dropped the ball one yard shy of the end zone, forcing a much-needed turnover the score still at 24-7.

Carr threw a loose pass and it was intercepted by Miami cornerback Brent Grimes, who returned the ball all the way to the three-yard line. That left Miller with the simple task of walking into the end zone.

A bum snap led to a fumble and Miami cornerback Finnegan recovered the ball before returning it 50 yards for a touchdown.